VGT vs. SCHD

Last updated Jun 7, 2026

VGT (Vanguard Information Technology ETF) and SCHD (Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VGT is a Technology Equities fund tracking the MSCI USA IMI Information Technology 25/50 Index, while SCHD is a Dividend fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VGT returned 24.81%/yr vs 12.64%/yr for SCHD. A 0.62 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VGT charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for SCHD.

Performance

VGT vs. SCHD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Information Technology ETF (VGT) 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, VGT achieves a 22.48% return, which is significantly higher than SCHD's 18.75% return. Over the past 10 years, VGT has outperformed SCHD with an annualized return of 24.81%, while SCHD has yielded a comparatively lower 12.64% annualized return.

VGT

• 1D: -6.14%
• 1M: 2.53%
• YTD: 22.48%
• 6M: 20.33%
• 1Y: 47.86%
• 3Y*: 30.47%
• 5Y*: 20.48%
• 10Y*: 24.81%

SCHD

• 1D: -0.89%
• 1M: 2.15%
• YTD: 18.75%
• 6M: 18.75%
• 1Y: 26.41%
• 3Y*: 15.14%
• 5Y*: 8.31%
• 10Y*: 12.64%

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

VGT vs. SCHD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VGT Vanguard Information Technology ETF	22.48%	21.77%	29.30%	52.66%	-29.70%	30.45%	46.04%	48.62%	2.46%	37.08%
SCHD Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF	18.75%	4.34%	11.66%	4.54%	-3.26%	29.87%	15.03%	27.29%	-5.56%	20.85%

Correlation

The correlation between VGT and SCHD is 0.11, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.11
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.30
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.49
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.56
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 21, 2011	0.62

Over the past year, the correlation between VGT and SCHD has dropped to 0.11 - well below their long-term average of 0.62, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

VGT vs. SCHD - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VGT	SCHD
Technology	98.5%	16.4%
Communication Services	0.5%	6.3%
Financial Services	0.5%	9.3%
Industrials	0.4%	7.5%
Energy	0.3%	16.2%
Consumer Cyclical	0.1%	6.3%
Basic Materials	0.0%	1.2%
Healthcare	0.0%	18.8%
Consumer Defensive	-	19.2%
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	0.0%

Return for Risk

VGT vs. SCHD — Risk / Return Rank

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

VGT

VGT Risk / Return Rank: 63
VGT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
VGT Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
VGT Omega Ratio Rank: 65
VGT Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
VGT Martin Ratio Rank: 56

SCHD

SCHD Risk / Return Rank: 83
SCHD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
SCHD Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
SCHD Omega Ratio Rank: 78
SCHD Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
SCHD Martin Ratio Rank: 78

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.

VGT vs. SCHD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Information Technology ETF (VGT) 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.

	VGT	SCHD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.30	2.55	-0.25
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.84	3.94	-1.09
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.46	-0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.02	6.07	-3.06
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.59	14.90	-5.31
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VGT vs. SCHD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VGT Sharpe Ratio is 2.30, which is comparable to the SCHD Sharpe Ratio of 2.55. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VGT 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

	VGT	SCHD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.30	2.55	-0.25
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.81	0.58	+0.23
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	1.01	0.76	+0.25
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.66	0.86	-0.20

Drawdowns

VGT vs. SCHD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VGT drawdown since its inception was -54.63%, which is greater than SCHD's maximum drawdown of -33.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VGT and SCHD.

Drawdown Indicators

	VGT	SCHD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-54.63%	-33.37%	-21.26%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.40%	-4.61%	-11.79%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.23%	-16.13%	-11.10%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-35.07%	-16.85%	-18.22%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.07%	-33.37%	-1.70%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-8.34%	-1.61%	-6.73%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.95%	-3.32%	-4.63%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.15%	1.88%	+3.27%

Volatility

VGT vs. SCHD - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Information Technology ETF (VGT) has a higher volatility of 9.29% compared to Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) at 2.87%. This indicates that VGT'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

	VGT	SCHD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.29%	2.87%	+6.42%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.37%	7.61%	+9.76%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.51%	10.98%	+10.53%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.31%	14.38%	+10.93%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.68%	16.72%	+7.96%

VGT vs. SCHD - Expense Ratio Comparison

VGT has a 0.09% 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

VGT vs. SCHD - Dividend Comparison

VGT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.33%, less than SCHD's 3.27% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SCHD Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF	3.27%	3.82%	3.64%	3.49%	3.39%	2.78%	3.16%	2.98%	3.06%	2.63%	2.89%	2.97%
VGT Vanguard Information Technology ETF	0.33%	0.40%	0.60%	0.65%	0.91%	0.64%	0.82%	1.11%	1.29%	0.99%	1.31%	1.28%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VGT and SCHD in my portfolio?

VGT and SCHD have a correlation of 0.11, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VGT or SCHD?

VGT has higher volatility (9.29%) compared to SCHD (2.87%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VGT dropped -54.63% vs SCHD's -33.37%.

Which ETF is better, VGT or SCHD?

On 10-year performance, VGT leads with 24.81% vs 12.64% for SCHD. On fees, SCHD is cheaper at 0.06% per year. On volatility, SCHD has been the lower-risk option at 2.87%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VGT or SCHD?

Over the 10-year period, VGT has performed better with a 24.81% return vs 12.64%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VGT or SCHD?

SCHD is cheaper with a 0.06% expense ratio, compared with 0.09% for VGT.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VGT or SCHD?

SCHD has the higher dividend yield at 3.27%, compared with 0.33% for VGT.

What is the main difference between VGT and SCHD?

VGT is categorized as Technology Equities, while SCHD is Dividend. VGT tracks MSCI USA IMI Information Technology 25/50 Index, while SCHD tracks Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and Charles Schwab. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for VGT and 0.06% for SCHD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SCHD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.55 vs 2.30), 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.