SWDSX vs. VHYAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SWDSX (Schwab Dividend Equity Fund™) and VHYAX (Vanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both Large Cap Value Equities funds. Over the past 5 years, SWDSX returned 8.88%/yr vs 11.62%/yr for VHYAX. With a 0.96 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. SWDSX charges 0.89%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for VHYAX.

Performance

SWDSX vs. VHYAX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SWDSX achieves a 7.10% return, which is significantly lower than VHYAX's 12.92% return.

SWDSX

• 1D: 0.79%
• 1M: 2.03%
• YTD: 7.10%
• 6M: 4.82%
• 1Y: 14.29%
• 3Y*: 15.03%
• 5Y*: 8.88%
• 10Y*: 9.14%

VHYAX

• 1D: 1.21%
• 1M: 3.83%
• YTD: 12.92%
• 6M: 12.47%
• 1Y: 26.66%
• 3Y*: 19.01%
• 5Y*: 11.62%
• 10Y*: —

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

SWDSX vs. VHYAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
SWDSX Schwab Dividend Equity Fund™	7.10%	12.31%	17.06%	6.92%	-5.84%	28.24%	-4.33%	13.67%
VHYAX Vanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund Admiral Shares	12.92%	15.39%	17.39%	6.68%	-0.45%	26.08%	1.06%	16.67%

Correlation

The correlation between SWDSX and VHYAX is 0.93, 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	0.93
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.94
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.96
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 8, 2019	0.96

The correlation between SWDSX and VHYAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.93 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SWDSX vs. VHYAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SWDSX

SWDSX Risk / Return Rank: 33
SWDSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 31
SWDSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 28
SWDSX Omega Ratio Rank: 31
SWDSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 39
SWDSX Martin Ratio Rank: 37

VHYAX

VHYAX Risk / Return Rank: 81
VHYAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
VHYAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
VHYAX Omega Ratio Rank: 74
VHYAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
VHYAX Martin Ratio Rank: 83

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. VHYAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab Dividend Equity Fund™ (SWDSX) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund Admiral Shares (VHYAX). 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.

	SWDSX	VHYAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.59	2.69	-1.10
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.20	3.82	-1.62
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.49	-0.19
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.38	4.11	-1.73
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	8.06	15.57	-7.51
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SWDSX vs. VHYAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SWDSX Sharpe Ratio is 1.59, which is lower than the VHYAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.69. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SWDSX and VHYAX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	SWDSX	VHYAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.59	2.69	-1.10
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.68	0.83	-0.16
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.54	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.49	0.72	-0.23

Drawdowns

SWDSX vs. VHYAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SWDSX drawdown since its inception was -50.01%, which is greater than VHYAX's maximum drawdown of -35.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SWDSX and VHYAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SWDSX	VHYAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-50.01%	-35.14%	-14.87%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.16%	-6.75%	+0.59%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.67%	-14.42%	+2.75%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-17.94%	-15.87%	-2.07%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-40.20%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.21%	0.00%	-0.21%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.78%	-3.77%	-3.01%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.81%	1.78%	+0.03%

Volatility

SWDSX vs. VHYAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Schwab Dividend Equity Fund™ (SWDSX) is 2.21%, while Vanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund Admiral Shares (VHYAX) has a volatility of 2.93%. This indicates that SWDSX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VHYAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SWDSX	VHYAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.21%	2.93%	-0.72%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.39%	7.76%	-0.37%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.25%	10.31%	-1.06%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.20%	14.00%	-0.80%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.90%	17.97%	-1.07%

SWDSX vs. VHYAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SWDSX has a 0.89% expense ratio, which is higher than VHYAX's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

SWDSX vs. VHYAX - Dividend Comparison

SWDSX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.16%, less than VHYAX's 2.16% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SWDSX Schwab Dividend Equity Fund™	1.16%	1.22%	2.59%	2.25%	6.83%	16.25%	2.09%	6.86%	11.63%	10.24%	1.68%	14.46%
VHYAX Vanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund Admiral Shares	2.16%	2.42%	2.72%	3.09%	2.98%	2.74%	3.16%	3.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SWDSX and VHYAX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, SWDSX and VHYAX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, SWDSX or VHYAX?

VHYAX has higher volatility (2.93%) compared to SWDSX (2.21%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SWDSX dropped -50.01% vs VHYAX's -35.14%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VHYAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.69 vs 1.59), 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.