Portfolio Analysis 18 min read Updated Quarterly

SCHD Holdings Analysis: Complete Portfolio Deep Dive

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Detailed analysis of SCHD's 104 holdings, sector allocation, concentration risk, and what makes this dividend ETF unique. Updated with latest portfolio data.

Understanding SCHD's Portfolio Composition

SCHD (Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF) holds 104 carefully selected U.S. companies that meet strict dividend criteria. Unlike many dividend ETFs that simply chase high yields, SCHD's methodology focuses on quality, consistency, and financial health.

This deep dive analyzes the current holdings, their characteristics, and what they reveal about SCHD's investment philosophy and risk profile.

Portfolio Overview & Key Metrics

SCHD's portfolio is constructed through a systematic screening process that emphasizes:

104
Total Holdings
Diversified across sectors and industries
$4.5M
Average Position
Equal-weighted approach within methodology
4.5%
Maximum Weight
Position cap for single security
10+ Years
Dividend History
Minimum requirement for inclusion

Top 10 Holdings Analysis

The top 10 holdings represent approximately 40% of SCHD's portfolio. This concentration in high-quality dividend payers is intentional and reflects the ETF's focus on financially strong companies.

1

Broadcom Inc.

AVGO
Portfolio Weight 4.5%
Dividend Yield 1.9%
Sector Technology
Div Growth (5Y) 24.1%
2

Verizon Communications

VZ
Portfolio Weight 4.4%
Dividend Yield 6.8%
Sector Communication
Div Growth (5Y) 2.1%
3

Pfizer Inc.

PFE
Portfolio Weight 4.2%
Dividend Yield 6.1%
Sector Healthcare
Div Growth (5Y) 5.3%
Rank Company Ticker Weight Yield Sector
1 Broadcom Inc. AVGO 4.5% 1.9% Technology
2 Verizon Communications VZ 4.4% 6.8% Communication
3 Pfizer Inc. PFE 4.2% 6.1% Healthcare
4 Merck & Co. MRK 4.1% 2.4% Healthcare
5 Texas Instruments TXN 4.0% 3.2% Technology
6 PepsiCo Inc. PEP 3.9% 2.9% Consumer Staples
7 IBM IBM 3.8% 3.9% Technology
8 Coca-Cola KO 3.7% 3.2% Consumer Staples
9 Home Depot HD 3.6% 2.5% Consumer Discretionary
10 Accenture ACN 3.5% 1.6% Technology
Portfolio Insight: Top holdings demonstrate SCHD's focus on companies with strong competitive moats, consistent cash flows, and sustainable dividends. Notice the balance between high-yield (VZ, PFE) and dividend growth (AVGO, HD) companies.

Sector Allocation Deep Dive

SCHD's sector allocation reflects where high-quality dividend payers are found in the U.S. market. Unlike the S&P 500, SCHD has significant sector tilts based on dividend sustainability and growth potential.

Financials
20.2%
JPMorgan Chase Bank of America Wells Fargo Goldman Sachs +12 more
Healthcare
18.3%
Pfizer Merck Johnson & Johnson AbbVie +8 more
Industrials
17.1%
Honeywell Caterpillar 3M Union Pacific +10 more
Technology
14.8%
Broadcom Texas Instruments IBM Accenture +7 more

Concentration Risk Assessment

While SCHD is diversified across 104 companies, understanding concentration metrics is crucial for risk management:

40.3%
Top 10 Concentration
Higher than S&P 500 (30.5%)
55.7%
Top 20 Concentration
Moderate concentration risk
4.5%
Max Single Position
Methodology-imposed cap
1.0%
Average Position
Well-diversified tail holdings
Risk Insight: SCHD's concentration in top holdings is intentional—these companies have passed rigorous dividend sustainability screens. The 4.5% position cap prevents excessive single-stock risk while allowing meaningful allocation to highest-conviction names.

Selection Methodology Deep Dive

SCHD follows the Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index methodology, which uses a multi-factor screening approach:

1

Initial Universe

Start with 2,500 largest U.S. stocks by market capitalization. Exclude REITs, MLPs, and preferred stocks.

2

Dividend History Screen

Require 10+ consecutive years of dividend payments. This eliminates cyclical companies and those with inconsistent payout histories.

3

Financial Health Check

Screen for cash flow to debt ratio, return on equity, dividend yield, and 5-year dividend growth rate. Companies are ranked and scored.

4

Portfolio Construction

Select top 100 companies by composite score. Weight by market cap with individual position cap of 4.5%.

5

Annual Reconstitution

Full portfolio review each March. Quarterly reviews ensure compliance with methodology and position caps.

Investment Implications & Portfolio Construction

Quality Focus Provides Resilience

SCHD's rigorous screening creates a portfolio of financially strong companies that typically weather economic downturns better than the broader market.

Sector Concentration Risk

Overweight Financials and underweight Technology creates sector biases. Consider complementary growth exposure to balance portfolio.

Yield vs. Growth Balance

SCHD balances decent current yield (3.5%) with strong dividend growth (11.8% 5-year). This makes it suitable for both income and growth investors.

Low-Cost Diversification

For 0.06% expense ratio, investors get exposure to 104 high-quality dividend stocks with professional rebalancing and tax efficiency.
Next: SCHD Rebalancing Dates
Disclaimer: SCHD Tools provides educational information and calculator estimates for informational purposes only. This is not financial, investment, or tax advice. All projections are hypothetical, depend on assumptions you can adjust, and do not guarantee future results — past performance does not guarantee future returns. SCHD figures (yield, price, dividend growth) change over time; verify current data before investing and consult a qualified financial advisor about your individual situation.

Sources & further reading