SCHD vs SCHG: Schwab's Value vs Growth ETF Showdown

Quality-focused dividend growth (SCHD) vs pure large-cap growth (SCHG) - both from Schwab. Which offers better performance and fits your investment style?

SCHD

SCHD

Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF

3.27%
Dividend Yield
0.06%
Expense Ratio
11.2%
5-Year Return
104
Holdings

SCHD tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index, focusing on high dividend yield with rigorous quality screens. Requires 10+ years of dividend payments and screens for financial health metrics. 100% US exposure to quality large-cap companies.

Value Style Quality Screens Dividend Growth Large-Cap Low-Cost
SCHG

SCHG

Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF

0.42%
Dividend Yield
0.04%
Expense Ratio
15.8%
5-Year Return
250
Holdings

SCHG tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Large-Cap Growth Total Stock Market Index, providing exposure to large-cap growth stocks in the US market. Focuses on companies with strong growth characteristics like revenue growth, earnings growth, and price momentum.

Growth Style Large-Cap Growth Ultra Low-Cost Technology Focus Growth Factors

Key Metrics Comparison

Metric SCHD SCHG Winner
Dividend Yield 3.27% 0.42% SCHD (+3.04%)
Expense Ratio 0.06% 0.04% SCHG (-0.02%)
5-Year Annual Return 11.2% 15.8% SCHG (+4.6%)
Number of Holdings 104 250 SCHG
Assets Under Management $95.2B $17.8B SCHD
P/E Ratio 15.2 28.5 SCHD
Investment Style Value/Dividend Growth Different Strategies
Volatility (5-Year) 15.2% 20.5% SCHD

Performance Comparison

SCHD Performance

Strong total returns with significantly higher income. Value-oriented approach with defensive characteristics during market downturns. Lower volatility than growth strategies.

11.2%
5-Year Return
15.2%
Volatility
3.27%
Yield
0.85
Beta

SCHG Performance

Higher total returns with minimal income. Pure growth focus has outperformed in recent bull markets. Higher volatility but strong growth potential during economic expansions.

15.8%
5-Year Return
20.5%
Volatility
0.42%
Yield
1.18
Beta

Strategy Analysis

SCHD Approach

Value-focused dividend growth investing:

  • Minimum 10 years of dividend payments
  • Dividend yield > 2.5% requirement
  • Cash flow to total debt > 50%
  • Return on equity > 15%
  • Market cap > $500 million
  • Focus on financial health and stability
  • Value-oriented, defensive sectors
  • Concentrated in 104 quality companies

SCHG Approach

Pure large-cap growth investing:

  • Tracks Dow Jones Large-Cap Growth Index
  • 250 large-cap growth companies
  • Focus on growth characteristics
  • Revenue growth, earnings growth factors
  • Price momentum consideration
  • Market-cap weighted within growth universe
  • Ultra-low expense ratio (0.04%)
  • Technology and growth sector focus

Value vs Growth Style Investing

SCHD represents value/dividend investing (104 holdings, quality screens, 3.27% yield) with defensive tilt, while SCHG represents pure growth investing (250 holdings, growth factors, 0.42% yield). This is a classic value vs growth comparison within Schwab's own ETF lineup.

SCHD Value Advantages

Quality screens: Financial health filters

Higher income: 3.27% yield vs 0.42%

Lower valuation: P/E 15.2 vs 28.5

Lower volatility: 15.2% vs 20.5%

SCHG Growth Advantages

Better returns: 15.8% vs 11.2% (5-year)

Lower cost: 0.04% vs 0.06% expense ratio

Growth potential: Strong in bull markets

Tech leadership: Exposure to innovation leaders

Value vs Growth Characteristics

Investment Style Comparison

SCHD represents value investing characteristics while SCHG represents growth investing - two complementary investment styles that typically perform differently across market cycles.

SCHD: Value Characteristics

3.27%
Dividend Yield
15.2
P/E Ratio
Value
Investment Style

SCHG: Growth Characteristics

0.42%
Dividend Yield
28.5
P/E Ratio
Growth
Investment Style

Market Cycle Performance

SCHD
Better in bear markets
SCHG
Better in bull markets
Both
Complementary in portfolio

Risk Characteristics

15.2%
SCHD Volatility
20.5%
SCHG Volatility
Value
Lower Risk (SCHD)

Market Capitalization Exposure

Market Cap Distribution Comparison

Both SCHD and SCHG are large-cap focused, but SCHD includes some mid-cap exposure while SCHG is almost exclusively large-cap with mega-cap technology dominance.

SCHD Large-Cap

92%
Large-Cap Focus

SCHD Mid-Cap

8%
Mid-Cap

SCHG Large-Cap

98%
Large-Cap

SCHG Mega-Cap

45%
Mega-Cap Tech

Income Analysis

SCHD Income Profile

High dividend income from US quality companies with strong dividend growth history. Focus on sustainable dividends from financially healthy US corporations with yield > 2.5% requirement.

Current Yield 3.27%
5-Year Growth 8.5%
Payout Ratio 45%
Min Yield 2.5%

SCHG Income Profile

Very low yield typical of growth stocks. Growth companies typically reinvest earnings rather than pay dividends. Focus is on capital appreciation, not income generation.

Current Yield 0.42%
5-Year Growth 12.5%
Payout Ratio 18%
Focus Growth > Income

Sector Allocation

SCHD Sectors (Value/Dividend Focus)

Healthcare 18.5%
Financials 15.2%
Information Technology 14.8%
Consumer Staples 13.2%
Industrials 12.5%

SCHG Sectors (Growth Focus)

Information Technology 42.5%
Consumer Discretionary 18.2%
Healthcare 12.8%
Communication Services 10.5%
Industrials 8.2%

Top 5 Holdings

SCHD Top Holdings (Value/Dividend)

Broadcom Inc. 4.8%
AbbVie Inc. 4.5%
Amgen Inc. 4.3%
Home Depot Inc. 4.2%
Texas Instruments 4.1%

SCHG Top Holdings (Growth)

Microsoft Corp. 13.2%
Apple Inc. 12.8%
NVIDIA Corp. 8.5%
Amazon.com Inc. 6.2%
Meta Platforms 4.8%

Investment Recommendation

🎯 Choose SCHD If:

  • Higher current income is critical (3.27% vs 0.42%)
  • You prefer value investing with quality screens
  • Lower valuations appeal to you (P/E 15.2 vs 28.5)
  • Dividend growth is a priority (8.5% vs 12.5%)
  • You want lower volatility (15.2% vs 20.5%)
  • You're in or near retirement and need income
  • Defensive characteristics are important
  • You believe value will outperform growth

🚀 Choose SCHG If:

  • Maximum growth potential is your priority
  • You want pure large-cap growth exposure
  • Higher total returns matter (15.8% vs 11.2%)
  • Lower expense ratio appeals (0.04% vs 0.06%)
  • Technology sector leadership is important
  • You're in accumulation phase and don't need income
  • You can tolerate higher volatility
  • You believe growth will continue outperforming

💡 Portfolio Construction Strategy

Most investors benefit from holding both SCHD and SCHG together for style diversification. Consider 50% SCHD + 50% SCHG for balanced value/growth exposure, or tilt based on your view: 60% SCHD/40% SCHG for value tilt, 40% SCHD/60% SCHG for growth tilt. For core-satellite approach: 70% SCHB (Schwab US Broad Market) + 15% SCHD + 15% SCHG. This provides market exposure plus value and growth tilts at ultra-low Schwab costs.

Back to All ETF compare

Which should you choose: SCHD vs SCHG?

SCHD
Choose SCHD if you want a low-cost (0.06%) blend of an above-average ~3.27% yield and a strong dividend-growth record from screened, quality U.S. companies.
SCHG
Choose SCHG if you want low-cost large-cap growth exposure from Schwab.
Bottom line: SCHG aims for price appreciation with little dividend income, while SCHD emphasises dividends over growth. Choose SCHG in your accumulation years for growth, SCHD when income and stability matter more.