SmarterDividends

BND vs SCHZ: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared

As of Nov 5, 2026, BND yields more: 3.76% (dividend yield) against 3.53% for SCHZ. BND 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 BND 2.1%.

ComparedBNDSCHZ
YieldDividend yield3.76%3.53%
Expense ratio0.03%0.03%
Total return, 1 yr−0.1%−0.2%
Total return, 3 yr (a year)+5.4%+5.4%
Total return, 5 yr (a year)−0.1%−0.2%
Total return, 10 yr (a year)+1.5%+1.6%
Worst drop since Jul 2011-17.1%-17.3%
Share price since Jul 2011−13%−10%
PaysMonthlyMonthly
IssuerVanguardSchwab
Assets$395.2B$10.8B
Started20072011
TypeIntermediate Core BondIntermediate Core Bond

Higher yield

BND

3.76%

Lower cost

BND

0.03%

Better total return

SCHZ

2.1%/yr

Smaller worst drop

BND

-17.1%

Key facts: BND vs SCHZ

Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data

  • As of Nov 5, 2026, BND yields 3.76% (dividend yield) and SCHZ yields 3.53% (dividend yield).
  • BND'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 BND grew to $13,664 (2.1% 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 BND and -17.3% for SCHZ.
Cite this page

SmarterDividends, "BND vs SCHZ: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared," updated Nov 5, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/bnd-vs-schz

$10,000 in each, Jul 2011 to Oct 2026

Distributions reinvested, month-end values, with the S&P 500 for reference.

BND became

$13,664

2.1% a year

SCHZ became

$13,700

2.1% a year

Try other dates, monthly additions or more tickers →

Year by year

YearBNDSCHZ
2025+7.1%+7.3%
2024+1.4%+1.3%
2023+5.6%+5.5%
2022−12.9%−13.1%
2021−1.9%−1.7%
2020+7.7%+7.5%
2019+8.8%+8.6%
2018+0.3%+0.0%
2017+3.6%+5.4%
2016+2.5%+2.2%
2015+0.6%+0.4%
2014+5.8%+6.3%
2013−2.1%−2.0%
2012+3.9%+3.3%

Total return each calendar year, distributions reinvested.

BND vs SCHZ: questions

Is BND or SCHZ better?

It depends on the job. BND pays more today (3.76% vs 3.53%), BND costs less, and SCHZ has the better total return over Jul 2011 to Oct 2026, with BND 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, BND or SCHZ?

BND, at 3.76% against 3.53% for SCHZ as of Nov 5, 2026. On $10,000 that's about $376 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 2.1% for BND. $10,000 became $13,700 vs $13,664.

Which is cheaper, BND or SCHZ?

BND, 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. BND leads on 4 of 7 measures above. For information only, not investment advice. Last fund data: Nov 5, 2026.