BIV vs SCHZ: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared
As of Nov 5, 2026, BIV yields more: 4.08% (dividend yield) against 3.53% for SCHZ. BIV is cheaper to own at 0.03% a year vs 0.03%. Over the same 15 years (Jul 2011 to Oct 2026), BIV returned 2.5% a year with distributions reinvested, and SCHZ 2.1%.
| Compared | BIV | SCHZ |
|---|---|---|
| YieldDividend yield | 4.08% | 3.53% |
| Expense ratio | 0.03% | 0.03% |
| Total return, 1 yr | −0.8% | −0.2% |
| Total return, 3 yr (a year) | +5.7% | +5.4% |
| Total return, 5 yr (a year) | +0.1% | −0.2% |
| Total return, 10 yr (a year) | +1.7% | +1.6% |
| Worst drop since Jul 2011 | -17.6% | -17.3% |
| Share price since Jul 2011 | −13% | −10% |
| Pays | Monthly | Monthly |
| Issuer | Vanguard | Schwab |
| Assets | $51.2B | $10.8B |
| Started | 2007 | 2011 |
| Type | Intermediate Core Bond | Intermediate Core Bond |
Higher yield
BIV
4.08%
Lower cost
BIV
0.03%
Better total return
BIV
2.5%/yr
Smaller worst drop
SCHZ
-17.3%
Key facts: BIV vs SCHZ
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Nov 5, 2026, BIV yields 4.08% (dividend yield) and SCHZ yields 3.53% (dividend yield).
- BIV'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 BIV grew to $14,487 (2.5% a year) and $10,000 in SCHZ to $13,700 (2.1% a year), distributions reinvested.
- Their worst month-end drops over that time: -17.6% for BIV and -17.3% for SCHZ.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "BIV vs SCHZ: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared," updated Nov 5, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/biv-vs-schz
$10,000 in each, Jul 2011 to Oct 2026
Distributions reinvested, month-end values, with the S&P 500 for reference.
BIV became
$14,487
2.5% a year
SCHZ became
$13,700
2.1% a year
Year by year
| Year | BIV | SCHZ |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | +8.5% | +7.3% |
| 2024 | +1.6% | +1.3% |
| 2023 | +6.1% | +5.5% |
| 2022 | −13.2% | −13.1% |
| 2021 | −2.4% | −1.7% |
| 2020 | +9.7% | +7.5% |
| 2019 | +10.3% | +8.6% |
| 2018 | −0.2% | +0.0% |
| 2017 | +3.6% | +5.4% |
| 2016 | +2.3% | +2.2% |
| 2015 | +1.0% | +0.4% |
| 2014 | +6.7% | +6.3% |
| 2013 | −3.6% | −2.0% |
| 2012 | +6.7% | +3.3% |
Total return each calendar year, distributions reinvested.
BIV vs SCHZ: questions
Is BIV or SCHZ better?
It depends on the job. BIV pays more today (4.08% vs 3.53%), BIV costs less, and BIV has the better total return over Jul 2011 to Oct 2026, with SCHZ 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, BIV or SCHZ?
BIV, at 4.08% against 3.53% for SCHZ as of Nov 5, 2026. On $10,000 that's about $408 vs $353 a year at today's rates.
Which has the better total return?
BIV. From Jul 2011 to Oct 2026, it returned 2.5% a year with distributions reinvested, against 2.1% for SCHZ. $10,000 became $14,487 vs $13,700.
Which is cheaper, BIV or SCHZ?
BIV, with a 0.03% expense ratio against 0.03%.
Yields, costs and holdings as each fund reports them (via Yahoo Finance), updated daily; returns from month-end prices with distributions reinvested. BIV leads on 4 of 7 measures above. For information only, not investment advice. Last fund data: Nov 5, 2026.