AGG vs SCHZ: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared
As of Nov 5, 2026, AGG yields more: 3.77% (dividend yield) against 3.53% for SCHZ. AGG is cheaper to own at 0.03% a year vs 0.03%. Over the same 15 years (Jul 2011 to Oct 2026), SCHZ returned 2.1% a year with distributions reinvested, and AGG 2.0%.
AGGiShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF3.77%dividend yield| Compared | AGG | SCHZ |
|---|---|---|
| YieldDividend yield | 3.77% | 3.53% |
| Expense ratio | 0.03% | 0.03% |
| Total return, 1 yr | −0.2% | −0.2% |
| Total return, 3 yr (a year) | +5.4% | +5.4% |
| Total return, 5 yr (a year) | −0.2% | −0.2% |
| Total return, 10 yr (a year) | +1.4% | +1.6% |
| Worst drop since Jul 2011 | -17.1% | -17.3% |
| Share price since Jul 2011 | −11% | −10% |
| Pays | Monthly | Monthly |
| Issuer | iShares | Schwab |
| Assets | $139.9B | $10.8B |
| Started | 2003 | 2011 |
| Type | Intermediate Core Bond | Intermediate Core Bond |
Higher yield
AGG
3.77%
Lower cost
AGG
0.03%
Better total return
SCHZ
2.1%/yr
Smaller worst drop
AGG
-17.1%
Key facts: AGG vs SCHZ
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Nov 5, 2026, AGG yields 3.77% (dividend yield) and SCHZ yields 3.53% (dividend yield).
- AGG's expense ratio is 0.03% and SCHZ's is 0.03%: $3 vs $3 a year on $10,000.
- From Jul 2011 to Oct 2026, $10,000 in AGG grew to $13,522 (2.0% a year) and $10,000 in SCHZ to $13,700 (2.1% a year), distributions reinvested.
- Their worst month-end drops over that time: -17.1% for AGG and -17.3% for SCHZ.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "AGG vs SCHZ: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared," updated Nov 5, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/agg-vs-schz
$10,000 in each, Jul 2011 to Oct 2026
Distributions reinvested, month-end values, with the S&P 500 for reference.
AGG became
$13,522
2.0% a year
SCHZ became
$13,700
2.1% a year
Year by year
| Year | AGG | SCHZ |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | +7.2% | +7.3% |
| 2024 | +1.3% | +1.3% |
| 2023 | +5.7% | +5.5% |
| 2022 | −13.0% | −13.1% |
| 2021 | −1.8% | −1.7% |
| 2020 | +7.5% | +7.5% |
| 2019 | +8.4% | +8.6% |
| 2018 | +0.1% | +0.0% |
| 2017 | +3.6% | +5.4% |
| 2016 | +2.4% | +2.2% |
| 2015 | +0.5% | +0.4% |
| 2014 | +6.0% | +6.3% |
| 2013 | −2.0% | −2.0% |
| 2012 | +3.8% | +3.3% |
Total return each calendar year, distributions reinvested.
Top holdings
No overlap in the top ten.
AGG
- BISXX BlackRock Cash Funds Instl SL Agency2.9%
SCHZ
- Holdings not reported.
AGG vs SCHZ: questions
Is AGG or SCHZ better?
It depends on the job. AGG pays more today (3.77% vs 3.53%), AGG costs less, and SCHZ has the better total return over Jul 2011 to Oct 2026, with AGG holding up better in its worst stretch. For income, look at yield and whether the payouts hold up; for growth, total return and drawdowns.
Which pays a higher dividend, AGG or SCHZ?
AGG, at 3.77% against 3.53% for SCHZ as of Nov 5, 2026. On $10,000 that's about $377 vs $353 a year at today's rates.
Which has the better total return?
SCHZ. From Jul 2011 to Oct 2026, it returned 2.1% a year with distributions reinvested, against 2.0% for AGG. $10,000 became $13,700 vs $13,522.
Which is cheaper, AGG or SCHZ?
AGG, with a 0.03% expense ratio against 0.03%.
Related comparisons
Yields, costs and holdings as each fund reports them (via Yahoo Finance), updated daily; returns from month-end prices with distributions reinvested. AGG leads on 4 of 7 measures above. For information only, not investment advice. Last fund data: Nov 5, 2026.