What is the fee difference between QQQ and SCHD?

QQQ charges 0.18% a year and SCHD charges 0.06%. On $10,000 invested that is about $18 a year for QQQ and $6 for SCHD, a difference of roughly $12. QQQ costs three times as much, although both are inexpensive compared with actively managed funds.

What index does each fund track?

QQQ tracks the Nasdaq-100 Index, about 100 of the largest non-financial companies listed on the Nasdaq exchange, heavily weighted to technology. SCHD tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100, which selects US companies with at least ten years of consecutive dividends and strong financial quality. One is a growth benchmark, the other a dividend-quality screen.

How much do the holdings of QQQ and SCHD overlap?

None of the ten largest holdings are shared. QQQ's top ten are NVIDIA (8.5%), Apple (7.9%), Microsoft (5.9%), Micron, Amazon, AMD, Alphabet, Meta and Tesla. SCHD's top ten are Merck, Abbott, Amgen, Coca-Cola, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, Procter & Gamble, Verizon, UnitedHealth and Home Depot. The portfolios are close to opposites in style.

Which fund pays more in dividends?

SCHD yields 3.12%, compared with 0.41% for QQQ, roughly seven and a half times more. SCHD is built to hold companies with long, consistent dividend records, while QQQ is dominated by growth companies that reinvest profits. Investors seeking regular income usually look to SCHD's profile rather than QQQ's.

Which fund suits which investment goal?

QQQ suits investors who want concentrated exposure to large-cap growth and technology and are comfortable with the volatility that comes with it. SCHD suits investors who want income and a portfolio of established value companies with lower reliance on technology. The two funds sit at opposite ends of the growth-value spectrum.

How do QQQ and SCHD compare on size and liquidity?

QQQ is the larger fund with about $484 billion in net assets, compared with about $112.8 billion for SCHD. Both are among the most traded ETFs on US exchanges, so retail investors can buy and sell either during market hours with tight spreads. SCHD is one of the largest dividend-focused ETFs available.

Which fund is more concentrated?

QQQ is more concentrated at the top, with NVIDIA at 8.5%, Apple at 7.9% and Microsoft at 5.9%, and most of its top ten in technology. SCHD caps individual positions and spreads its 102 holdings more evenly, with Merck the largest at 4.9%. Both hold a similar number of stocks, 104 versus 102.

Are there tax differences between QQQ and SCHD?

Both are US-listed ETFs. Non-US investors generally pay US withholding tax on dividends at a treaty-dependent rate, and because SCHD yields 3.12% versus 0.41%, far more of its return is taxable income each year. QQQ's return is mostly price change. Rules depend on your country and account type.

Can I hold both QQQ and SCHD?

Yes, and many investors pair them precisely because they share no top holdings. QQQ supplies growth and technology exposure, while SCHD adds income and value stocks from healthcare, consumer staples and energy. Together they cover more of the market than either does alone, at a blended fee of around 0.12% if held equally.

QQQ vs SCHD

Two funds, one decision: we compare cost, performance and what each ETF actually holds in September 2026.

QQQ tracks the Nasdaq-100 with 104 growth-oriented holdings for 0.18% a year and yields 0.41%. SCHD tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 with 102 dividend payers for 0.06% and yields 3.12%. The two share none of their top ten holdings. QQQ suits investors seeking large-cap growth; SCHD suits those who want income from value stocks at a third of the fee. Educational content, not financial advice.

Fund Snapshot

Key Fund Metrics

QQQ

Metric

SCHD

0.18%

Expense Ratio

0.06%

0.41%

Dividend Yield

3.12%

$484.28B

Net Assets

$112.77B

104

Holdings

102

Mar 10, 1999

Inception Date

Oct 20, 2011

NASDAQ 100 Index

Index Tracked

Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100

Large Growth

Fund Category

Large Value

SCHD costs about $12.00 less per year for every $10,000 invested.

Shared Top Holdings

These funds do not share any of their top holdings.

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Investment Analysis

QQQ

Pros

Concentrated exposure to 104 large Nasdaq-listed growth companies led by NVIDIA and Apple
Very large and liquid fund with $484 billion in net assets
Long track record since 1999 through several full market cycles

Considerations

Expense ratio of 0.18% is three times the 0.06% charged by SCHD
Dividend yield of 0.41% is a fraction of SCHD's 3.12%
Top holdings are concentrated in technology, so sector diversification is limited

SCHD

Pros

Dividend yield of 3.12% from 102 established companies with long payout records
Low expense ratio of 0.06%, about $6 a year per $10,000
Holdings spread evenly with no single stock above 5% of the fund

Considerations

Excludes the mega-cap technology names that dominate QQQ
Smaller fund at $112.8 billion compared with $484 billion for QQQ
Value tilt means it can lag when growth stocks lead the market

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About QQQ and SCHD

QQQ (QQQ)

Invesco QQQ Trust Series 1 (QQQ) is a widely traded exchange‑traded fund that seeks to track the Nasdaq‑100 Index, offering concentrated exposure to large non‑financial companies listed on the Nasdaq — think technology, consumer and biotech leaders. It provides a convenient way to gain growth-oriented exposure to a basket of big-cap, often high-growth names, with intraday liquidity like a stock. Investors should know QQQ is relatively concentrated in a handful of large issuers and sectors, which can amplify both upside and downside versus broader-market funds. It pays modest dividends and typically has higher volatility than diversified market-cap indices. As with any ETF, past performance does not predict future returns; values can fall as well as rise. This content is educational and not personalised advice — consider your risk tolerance, investment horizon and diversification needs before investing, and consult a regulated adviser for tailored guidance.

SCHD (SCHD)

SCHD (Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF) is an exchange‑traded fund that aims to provide exposure to high-quality U.S. companies that have a history of paying dividends. Managed by Charles Schwab, the ETF screens for firms with stable earnings, reasonable payout ratios and consistent dividend records, concentrating on large‑cap names across a range of sectors. Investors often use SCHD for income and as a core holding to capture dividend yield with the diversification and liquidity of an ETF. It is designed to be a low‑cost, transparent vehicle, though dividends and share prices can fall and past performance is not a guarantee of future results. Suitable for investors seeking income and long‑term total return, it may not fit those focused solely on capital growth or who require guarantees. As with any investment, consider costs, tax treatment and how it fits your wider portfolio before investing.

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QQQ vs SCHD

Fund Snapshot