VEXPX vs. SCHD

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VEXPX (Vanguard Explorer Fund Investor Shares) and SCHD (Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF) are both funds - VEXPX is a Small Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Vanguard, while SCHD is a Dividend fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index. Over the past 10 years, VEXPX returned 13.26%/yr vs 12.77%/yr for SCHD. A 0.75 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VEXPX charges 0.40%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for SCHD.

Performance

VEXPX vs. SCHD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Explorer Fund Investor Shares (VEXPX) 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, VEXPX achieves a 15.26% return, which is significantly lower than SCHD's 19.01% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VEXPX having a 13.26% annualized return and SCHD not far behind at 12.77%.

VEXPX

• 1D: 0.51%
• 1M: 3.79%
• YTD: 15.26%
• 6M: 14.17%
• 1Y: 28.87%
• 3Y*: 17.33%
• 5Y*: 7.16%
• 10Y*: 13.26%

SCHD

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 2.70%
• YTD: 19.01%
• 6M: 18.63%
• 1Y: 27.16%
• 3Y*: 15.09%
• 5Y*: 8.36%
• 10Y*: 12.77%

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

VEXPX vs. SCHD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VEXPX Vanguard Explorer Fund Investor Shares	15.26%	7.08%	17.25%	19.78%	-23.32%	15.96%	31.36%	31.27%	-2.46%	22.49%
SCHD Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF	19.01%	4.34%	11.66%	4.54%	-3.26%	29.87%	15.03%	27.29%	-5.56%	20.85%

Correlation

The correlation between VEXPX and SCHD is 0.50, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.50
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.65
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.71
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.72
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 21, 2011	0.75

Over the past year, the correlation between VEXPX and SCHD has dropped to 0.50 - well below their long-term average of 0.75, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

VEXPX vs. SCHD - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VEXPX	SCHD
Industrials	21.9%	7.5%
Technology	20.6%	16.4%
Healthcare	17.5%	18.8%
Consumer Cyclical	12.0%	6.3%
Financial Services	11.2%	9.3%
Energy	4.5%	16.2%
Real Estate	3.0%	-
Basic Materials	2.8%	1.2%
Consumer Defensive	2.7%	19.2%
Communication Services	2.2%	6.3%
Utilities	1.6%	0.0%

Return for Risk

VEXPX vs. SCHD — Risk / Return Rank

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

VEXPX

VEXPX Risk / Return Rank: 46
VEXPX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 39
VEXPX Sortino Ratio Rank: 38
VEXPX Omega Ratio Rank: 35
VEXPX Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
VEXPX Martin Ratio Rank: 59

SCHD

SCHD Risk / Return Rank: 80
SCHD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
SCHD Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
SCHD Omega Ratio Rank: 73
SCHD Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
SCHD Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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.

VEXPX vs. SCHD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Explorer Fund Investor Shares (VEXPX) 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.

	VEXPX	SCHD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.80	2.49	-0.69
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.55	3.87	-1.32
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.45	-0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.01	5.91	-2.90
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.73	14.53	-2.80
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VEXPX vs. SCHD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VEXPX Sharpe Ratio is 1.80, which is comparable to the SCHD Sharpe Ratio of 2.49. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VEXPX 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	VEXPX	SCHD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.80	2.49	-0.69
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.34	0.58	-0.25
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.61	0.77	-0.16
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.52	0.86	-0.34

Drawdowns

VEXPX vs. SCHD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VEXPX drawdown since its inception was -57.40%, which is greater than SCHD's maximum drawdown of -33.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VEXPX and SCHD.

Drawdown Indicators

	VEXPX	SCHD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-57.40%	-33.37%	-24.03%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.18%	-4.61%	-5.57%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-24.38%	-16.13%	-8.25%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.71%	-16.85%	-15.86%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-39.87%	-33.37%	-6.50%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-1.40%	+1.40%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.90%	-3.32%	-9.58%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.61%	1.88%	+0.73%

Volatility

VEXPX vs. SCHD - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Explorer Fund Investor Shares (VEXPX) has a higher volatility of 4.58% compared to Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) at 2.66%. This indicates that VEXPX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SCHD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VEXPX	SCHD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.58%	2.66%	+1.92%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.67%	7.66%	+5.01%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.02%	10.96%	+6.06%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.31%	14.38%	+6.93%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.83%	16.72%	+5.11%

VEXPX vs. SCHD - Expense Ratio Comparison

VEXPX has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is higher than SCHD's 0.06% expense ratio.

Dividends

VEXPX vs. SCHD - Dividend Comparison

VEXPX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.41%, more than SCHD's 3.26% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SCHD Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF	3.26%	3.82%	3.64%	3.49%	3.39%	2.78%	3.16%	2.98%	3.06%	2.63%	2.89%	2.97%
VEXPX Vanguard Explorer Fund Investor Shares	6.41%	7.38%	12.59%	0.79%	5.09%	16.00%	6.64%	4.97%	10.95%	11.46%	4.49%	10.71%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VEXPX and SCHD in my portfolio?

VEXPX and SCHD have a correlation of 0.50, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VEXPX or SCHD?

VEXPX has higher volatility (4.58%) compared to SCHD (2.66%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VEXPX dropped -57.40% vs SCHD's -33.37%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SCHD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.49 vs 1.80), 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.