SWDSX vs. VDADX

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

SWDSX (Schwab Dividend Equity Fund™) and VDADX (Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - SWDSX is a Large Cap Value Equities fund actively managed by Charles Schwab, while VDADX is a Dividend fund tracking the S&P U.S. Dividend Growers Index. SWDSX is actively managed, while VDADX is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SWDSX returned 9.19%/yr vs 12.98%/yr for VDADX. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SWDSX charges 0.89%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for VDADX.

Performance

SWDSX vs. VDADX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Schwab Dividend Equity Fund™ (SWDSX) and Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund Admiral Shares (VDADX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with SWDSX having a 9.88% return and VDADX slightly lower at 9.54%. Over the past 10 years, SWDSX has underperformed VDADX with an annualized return of 9.19%, while VDADX has yielded a comparatively higher 12.98% annualized return.

SWDSX

• 1D: 0.41%
• 1M: 1.69%
• 6M: 7.13%
• YTD: 9.88%
• 1Y: 14.36%
• 3Y*: 15.31%
• 5Y*: 9.55%
• 10Y*: 9.19%

VDADX

• 1D: 0.11%
• 1M: 1.74%
• 6M: 6.71%
• YTD: 9.54%
• 1Y: 17.78%
• 3Y*: 15.96%
• 5Y*: 10.68%
• 10Y*: 12.98%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

SWDSX vs. VDADX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SWDSX Schwab Dividend Equity Fund™	9.88%	12.31%	17.06%	6.92%	-5.84%	28.24%	-4.33%	24.32%	-12.18%	15.40%
VDADX Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund Admiral Shares	9.54%	14.17%	16.99%	14.44%	-9.80%	23.59%	15.47%	29.68%	-2.06%	22.22%

Correlation

The correlation between SWDSX and VDADX is 0.84, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.84
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.89
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.92
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 20, 2013	0.90

The correlation between SWDSX and VDADX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.84 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SWDSX vs. VDADX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

SWDSX

SWDSX Risk / Return Rank: 46
SWDSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 44
SWDSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 42
SWDSX Omega Ratio Rank: 45
SWDSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
SWDSX Martin Ratio Rank: 46

VDADX

VDADX Risk / Return Rank: 56
VDADX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
VDADX Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
VDADX Omega Ratio Rank: 55
VDADX Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
VDADX Martin Ratio Rank: 55

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

SWDSX vs. VDADX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab Dividend Equity Fund™ (SWDSX) and Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund Admiral Shares (VDADX). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	SWDSX	VDADX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.49	1.70	-0.21
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.08	2.48	-0.40
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	1.31	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.27	2.17	+0.10
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.70	8.76	-1.06

SWDSX vs. VDADX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SWDSX Sharpe Ratio is 1.49, which is comparable to the VDADX Sharpe Ratio of 1.70. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SWDSX and VDADX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

SWDSX vs. VDADX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SWDSX drawdown since its inception was -50.01%, which is greater than VDADX's maximum drawdown of -31.70%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SWDSX and VDADX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SWDSX	VDADX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-50.01%	-31.70%	-18.31%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.16%	-7.93%	+1.77%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.67%	-14.95%	+3.28%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-17.94%	-20.42%	+2.48%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-40.20%	-31.70%	-8.50%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.41%	-0.06%	-0.35%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.75%	-3.38%	-3.37%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.81%	1.96%	-0.15%

Volatility

SWDSX vs. VDADX - Volatility Comparison

Schwab Dividend Equity Fund™ (SWDSX) and Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund Admiral Shares (VDADX) have volatilities of 2.57% and 2.56%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SWDSX	VDADX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.57%	2.56%	+0.01%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.61%	7.64%	-1.03%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.36%	10.07%	-0.71%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.11%	14.25%	-1.14%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.79%	16.15%	+0.64%

SWDSX vs. VDADX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SWDSX has a 0.89% expense ratio, which is higher than VDADX's 0.07% expense ratio.

Dividends

SWDSX vs. VDADX - Dividend Comparison

SWDSX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.12%, less than VDADX's 1.48% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SWDSX Schwab Dividend Equity Fund™	1.12%	1.22%	2.59%	2.25%	6.83%	16.25%	2.09%	6.86%	11.63%	10.24%	1.68%	14.46%
VDADX Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund Admiral Shares	1.48%	1.60%	1.71%	1.86%	1.94%	1.53%	1.61%	1.69%	2.07%	1.88%	2.14%	2.34%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SWDSX and VDADX in my portfolio?

SWDSX and VDADX have a correlation of 0.84, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SWDSX or VDADX?

SWDSX has higher volatility (2.57%) compared to VDADX (2.56%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SWDSX dropped -50.01% vs VDADX's -31.70%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VDADX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.70 vs 1.49), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.