VOO vs. SCHD: Which is Better for Your Portfolio?

Updated: Oct 1

VOO vs. SCHD Overview

VOO and SCHD are popular exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that provide exposure to the U.S. stock market. This article compares their performance and discusses the difference between these ETFs.

VOO: Vanguard S&P 500 ETF

VOO is a passively managed ETF designed to track the performance of the S&P 500 Index, which represents the 500 largest publicly traded companies in the U.S. The fund was launched in September 2010 and has gained popularity due to its low expense ratio of 0.03%.

SCHD: Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF

SCHD is a passively managed ETF that tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index. It focuses on dividend-paying stocks and offers a higher dividend yield compared to VOO. SCHD was launched in October 2011 and has attracted investors seeking dividend optimization. The expense ratio of SCHD is 0.06%, which is slightly higher than VOO.

VOO vs. SCHD on TradingView

Performance Comparison

Total Return Comparison from February 2012

VOO has achieved a total return of 268% since February 2012.
SCHD has delivered a total return of 267% during the same period

Over long periods these ETFs have provided essentially the same return. Therefore, your choice should depend on your overall investment goals and risk tolerance.

Those who want a higher dividend should opt for SCHD, while those looking for overall market exposure should opt for VOO.

VOO vs. SCHD on TradingView

YTD Performance Comparison

SCHD is down 5% year-to-date (YTD)
VOO is up 6.5% YTD

The S&P 500 (VOO) is outperforming in 2023 since it capitalizes on share price growth more than SCHD. The market has increased in 2023, but in years when the market is not so bullish, SCHD will likely outperform.

Comparing ETFs With TradingView

When comparing ETFs, it is crucial that you are comparing the total return to include dividend payments. TradingView allows you to compare several stocks and ETFs at once on a single chart adjusted for dividends.

Get a TradingView Free Trial

You can simply sign up for a free TradingView account and type the stock ticker you want to compare. Next, click the plus sign next to the ticker at the top right of the chart to add symbols to compare.

Finally, ensure you click the ‘ADJ’ at the bottom to adjust the returns for dividends!

In the image below, you can see the adjusted returns for several ETFs on a single chart, including QQQ, JEPI, SCHD, and more!

Several ETFs Compared on TradingView

Characteristics and Differences

Diversification and Holdings

VOO provides broad exposure to the overall U.S. stock market through the S&P 500 Index.
SCHD focuses on dividend-paying stocks, contributing to its performance during the selected timeframes.

Focus on Dividends and Share Growth

SCHD's emphasis on dividend-paying stocks has attracted investors seeking dividend optimization.
VOO's broader exposure to the overall U.S. stock market makes it a suitable choice for those seeking share growth from the broader market

VOO vs. SCHD | Bottom Line

When comparing the performance of VOO and SCHD, we can observe that from February 2012, VOO has achieved a slightly higher total return of 268% compared to SCHD's 267%. However, YTD performance shows SCHD with a decline of 5%, while VOO has gained 6.5%.

Considering the different characteristics and objectives of VOO and SCHD, investors should carefully evaluate their investment goals and risk tolerance. SCHD's focus on dividend-paying stocks makes it an attractive option for those prioritizing dividends and share growth. On the other hand, VOO provides broader exposure to the U.S. stock market, appealing to investors seeking overall market share growth.

For a visual representation of the performance and further analysis, you can refer to the TradingView chart comparing VOO and SCHD performance.