VDIGX vs. SCHD

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

VDIGX (Vanguard Dividend Growth Fund) and SCHD (Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF) are both Dividend funds. VDIGX is actively managed, while SCHD is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VDIGX returned 12.33%/yr vs 12.68%/yr for SCHD. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VDIGX charges 0.22%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for SCHD.

Performance

VDIGX vs. SCHD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Dividend Growth Fund (VDIGX) and Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VDIGX achieves a 2.69% return, which is significantly lower than SCHD's 17.24% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VDIGX having a 12.33% annualized return and SCHD not far ahead at 12.68%.

VDIGX

• 1D: 0.51%
• 1M: 0.93%
• YTD: 2.69%
• 6M: 2.42%
• 1Y: 10.98%
• 3Y*: 13.24%
• 5Y*: 10.35%
• 10Y*: 12.33%

SCHD

• 1D: 0.09%
• 1M: -2.86%
• YTD: 17.24%
• 6M: 16.44%
• 1Y: 24.06%
• 3Y*: 14.45%
• 5Y*: 8.77%
• 10Y*: 12.68%

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

VDIGX vs. SCHD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VDIGX Vanguard Dividend Growth Fund	2.69%	11.11%	20.84%	8.11%	-4.89%	24.86%	12.04%	30.94%	0.08%	19.32%
SCHD Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF	17.24%	4.34%	11.66%	4.54%	-3.26%	29.87%	15.03%	27.29%	-5.56%	20.85%

Correlation

The correlation between VDIGX and SCHD is 0.64, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.64
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.74
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.82
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.84
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 20, 2011	0.87

Over the past year, the correlation between VDIGX and SCHD has dropped to 0.64 - well below their long-term average of 0.87, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

VDIGX vs. SCHD - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VDIGX	SCHD
Technology	23.6%	19.4%
Financial Services	20.1%	9.1%
Healthcare	16.1%	18.4%
Industrials	14.9%	7.4%
Consumer Cyclical	10.7%	6.7%
Consumer Defensive	7.9%	18.5%
Basic Materials	2.6%	1.2%
Communication Services	2.3%	6.0%
Energy	1.1%	14.6%
Utilities	0.5%	0.0%
Real Estate	-	-

Return for Risk

VDIGX vs. SCHD — Risk / Return Rank

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

VDIGX

VDIGX Risk / Return Rank: 16
VDIGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 16
VDIGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 17
VDIGX Omega Ratio Rank: 14
VDIGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 13
VDIGX Martin Ratio Rank: 19

SCHD

SCHD Risk / Return Rank: 76
SCHD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
SCHD Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
SCHD Omega Ratio Rank: 68
SCHD Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
SCHD Martin Ratio Rank: 71

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.

VDIGX vs. SCHD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Dividend Growth Fund (VDIGX) and Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD). 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.

	VDIGX	SCHD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.05	2.18	-1.13
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.60	3.34	-1.74
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.19	1.39	-0.21
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.18	5.24	-4.05
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.58	12.71	-8.13

VDIGX vs. SCHD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VDIGX Sharpe Ratio is 1.05, which is lower than the SCHD Sharpe Ratio of 2.18. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VDIGX and SCHD, 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

VDIGX vs. SCHD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VDIGX drawdown since its inception was -45.23%, which is greater than SCHD's maximum drawdown of -33.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VDIGX and SCHD.

Drawdown Indicators

	VDIGX	SCHD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-45.23%	-33.37%	-11.86%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.09%	-4.61%	-4.48%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-10.23%	-16.13%	+5.90%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-16.18%	-16.85%	+0.67%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.98%	-33.37%	+0.39%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.63%	-2.86%	+2.23%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.64%	-3.31%	-3.33%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.34%	1.90%	+0.44%

Volatility

VDIGX vs. SCHD - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Dividend Growth Fund (VDIGX) is 3.11%, while Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) has a volatility of 3.58%. This indicates that VDIGX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SCHD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VDIGX	SCHD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.11%	3.58%	-0.47%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.81%	7.74%	+0.07%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.22%	11.09%	-0.87%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.89%	14.36%	-0.47%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.71%	16.73%	-1.02%

VDIGX vs. SCHD - Expense Ratio Comparison

VDIGX has a 0.22% expense ratio, which is higher than SCHD's 0.06% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

VDIGX vs. SCHD - Dividend Comparison

VDIGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 23.91%, more than SCHD's 3.31% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SCHD Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF	3.31%	3.82%	3.64%	3.49%	3.39%	2.78%	3.16%	2.98%	3.06%	2.63%	2.89%	2.97%
VDIGX Vanguard Dividend Growth Fund	23.91%	21.90%	21.94%	2.29%	6.06%	5.45%	2.83%	4.70%	8.72%	5.16%	2.86%	5.70%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VDIGX and SCHD in my portfolio?

VDIGX and SCHD have a correlation of 0.64, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VDIGX or SCHD?

SCHD has higher volatility (3.58%) compared to VDIGX (3.11%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VDIGX dropped -45.23% vs SCHD's -33.37%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SCHD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.18 vs 1.05), 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.