What is the fee difference between SCHD and VXUS?

SCHD has an expense ratio of 0.06% and VXUS 0.05%, a difference of 0.01 percentage points. On $10,000 invested that is about $6 a year for SCHD and roughly $5 for VXUS. Both are among the cheapest funds in their categories, so cost is not what separates them. The real difference is what they hold.

What index does each fund track?

SCHD tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 index, which selects around 100 US companies with at least ten years of dividends and strong quality metrics. VXUS tracks the FTSE Global All Cap ex US index, covering large, mid and small-cap stocks in developed and emerging markets outside the United States, with about 8,860 holdings.

How much do SCHD and VXUS overlap?

There is no overlap. SCHD holds only US companies such as Merck, Abbott, Amgen, Coca-Cola and Chevron. VXUS holds only non-US companies such as Taiwan Semiconductor, Samsung Electronics, SK hynix, ASML, Tencent, HSBC and Roche. The two funds are complementary rather than substitutes.

Which fund pays a higher dividend yield?

SCHD yields more at 3.12% compared with 2.28% for VXUS. SCHD is explicitly built for dividend income, while VXUS is a broad market fund whose yield simply reflects the payout habits of non-US companies. International stocks tend to pay higher dividends than US growth stocks, which is why VXUS still yields more than most broad US funds.

Which fund suits which goal?

SCHD suits investors seeking a steady income stream from quality US dividend payers. VXUS suits investors who want to diversify away from the United States and capture the roughly half of world market value that sits outside it. They answer different questions, so many portfolios hold both alongside a broad US market fund.

How large and liquid are SCHD and VXUS?

Both are very large. VXUS holds about $164 billion in net assets and SCHD about $113 billion. Both trade with tight spreads for retail investors. VXUS launched in January 2011 and SCHD in October 2011, so each has around 15 years of history.

Are there tax or account considerations?

SCHD's higher yield means more taxable income each year in a taxable account. VXUS holds foreign stocks, so dividends may have foreign withholding tax deducted inside the fund before any US withholding on distributions to non-US investors. How this nets out depends on your country and account type. Check local guidance or speak to a tax professional.

Can I hold both SCHD and VXUS?

Yes, and because they hold entirely different stocks, combining them genuinely diversifies a portfolio. SCHD provides US dividend income and VXUS provides international exposure. Neither on its own covers US growth stocks, so investors who want a complete equity portfolio often add a broad US market fund as well.

How concentrated is each fund?

SCHD is far more concentrated with 102 holdings and a top ten of about 42%, led by Merck at 4.89%. VXUS holds about 8,860 stocks and its top ten is roughly 14%, led by Taiwan Semiconductor at 3.97%. VXUS spreads risk across thousands of companies and dozens of countries; SCHD deliberately focuses on a short list.

SCHD vs VXUS

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

SCHD holds 102 US dividend stocks from the Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 index for a 0.06% expense ratio, while VXUS holds about 8,860 non-US stocks tracking the FTSE Global All Cap ex US index for 0.05%. SCHD yields 3.12% versus 2.28% for VXUS, and the two share no top holdings. SCHD suits US income seekers; VXUS suits investors adding international diversification. Educational content, not financial advice.

SCHD holds 102 US dividend stocks from the Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 index for a 0.06% expense ratio, while VXUS holds about 8,860 non-US stocks tracking the FTSE Global All Cap ex US index for 0.05...

Fund Snapshot

Key Fund Metrics

SCHD

Metric

VXUS

0.06%

Expense Ratio

0.05%

3.12%

Dividend Yield

2.28%

$112.77B

Net Assets

$164.04B

102

Holdings

8,860

Oct 20, 2011

Inception Date

Jan 26, 2011

Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100

Index Tracked

FTSE Global All Cap x US

Large Value

Fund Category

Foreign Large Blend

VXUS costs about $1.00 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

SCHD

Pros

Dividend yield of 3.12% from established US companies with ten-plus years of payments
Expense ratio of 0.06%, about $6 a year per $10,000 invested
About $113 billion in net assets with a track record since October 2011

Considerations

Only 102 holdings, all US-listed, so no geographic diversification
Excludes most large technology names, so it can lag in growth-led markets
Top ten holdings make up about 42% of the fund

VXUS

Pros

Expense ratio of 0.05%, about $5 a year per $10,000 invested
About 8,860 holdings across developed and emerging markets outside the US
About $164 billion in net assets, one of the largest international equity ETFs

Considerations

Dividend yield of 2.28% is below SCHD's 3.12%
Includes emerging markets, which add currency and political risk
Top holding TSMC at 3.97% means notable exposure to Taiwan semiconductors

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About SCHD and VXUS

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.

VXUS (VXUS)

Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) offers investors broad exposure to non‑US equities across developed and emerging markets. The fund tracks a global index that excludes the United States and holds thousands of stocks spanning large-, mid- and small-cap companies. It is structured as a passive, market‑capitalisation‑weighted ETF, which aims to replicate international equity market performance while keeping trading simplicity and diversification benefits. VXUS is typically unhedged to sterling or other home currencies, so returns can be affected by currency movements as well as underlying stock performance. Investors should note that, like all equity funds, values can fall as well as rise and past performance does not guarantee future results. This summary provides general, educational information and is not personalised investment advice; suitability depends on an individual’s circumstances, risk tolerance and investment horizon.

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Following Charles Schwab's massive $20 billion stock buyback and dividend increase, this theme focuses on other financially robust companies that are similarly rewarding their investors. The strategy is to invest in firms with strong cash flows and a commitment to returning capital to shareholders.

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SCHD vs VXUS

Fund Snapshot