QDF vs SCHD: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared
As of Nov 5, 2026, SCHD yields more: 2.94% (dividend yield) against 1.53% for QDF. SCHD is cheaper to own at 0.06% a year vs 0.39%. Over the same 13 years (Dec 2012 to Oct 2026), SCHD returned 13.6% a year with distributions reinvested, and QDF 12.6%.
SCHDSchwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF2.94%dividend yield| Compared | QDF | SCHD |
|---|---|---|
| YieldDividend yield | 1.53% | 2.94% |
| Expense ratio | 0.39% | 0.06% |
| Total return, 1 yr | +14.5% | +38.5% |
| Total return, 3 yr (a year) | +20.7% | +20.7% |
| Total return, 5 yr (a year) | +11.4% | +10.6% |
| Total return, 10 yr (a year) | +12.1% | +13.7% |
| Worst drop since Dec 2012 | -25.2% | -21.6% |
| Share price since Dec 2012 | +262% | +279% |
| Pays | Quarterly | Quarterly |
| Issuer | Northern Trust | Schwab |
| Assets | $2.2B | $121.1B |
| Started | 2012 | 2011 |
| Type | Large Value | Large Value |
Higher yield
SCHD
2.94%
Lower cost
SCHD
0.06%
Better total return
SCHD
13.6%/yr
Smaller worst drop
SCHD
-21.6%
Key facts: QDF vs SCHD
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Nov 5, 2026, QDF yields 1.53% (dividend yield) and SCHD yields 2.94% (dividend yield).
- QDF's expense ratio is 0.39% and SCHD's is 0.06%: $39 vs $6 a year on $10,000.
- From Dec 2012 to Oct 2026, $10,000 in QDF grew to $51,697 (12.6% a year) and $10,000 in SCHD to $58,369 (13.6% a year), distributions reinvested.
- Their worst month-end drops over that time: -25.2% for QDF and -21.6% for SCHD.
- 0 of QDF's top ten holdings are also in SCHD's top ten.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "QDF vs SCHD: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared," updated Nov 5, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/qdf-vs-schd
$10,000 in each, Dec 2012 to Oct 2026
Distributions reinvested, month-end values, with the S&P 500 for reference.
QDF became
$51,697
12.6% a year
SCHD became
$58,369
13.6% a year
Year by year
| Year | QDF | SCHD |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | +16.6% | +4.3% |
| 2024 | +16.9% | +11.7% |
| 2023 | +19.7% | +4.5% |
| 2022 | −12.1% | −3.3% |
| 2021 | +26.7% | +29.8% |
| 2020 | +4.9% | +15.0% |
| 2019 | +25.7% | +27.3% |
| 2018 | −8.0% | −5.6% |
| 2017 | +17.4% | +20.8% |
| 2016 | +17.0% | +16.2% |
| 2015 | −0.9% | −0.4% |
| 2014 | +11.8% | +11.4% |
| 2013 | +36.3% | +32.8% |
Total return each calendar year, distributions reinvested.
Top holdings
No overlap in the top ten.
QDF
- AAPL Apple Inc9.8%
- NVDA NVIDIA Corp7.1%
- MSFT Microsoft Corp4.6%
- JNJ Johnson & Johnson3.0%
- JPM JPMorgan Chase & Co2.5%
- AVGO Broadcom Inc2.5%
- GE GE Aerospace2.2%
- LRCX Lam Research Corp2.1%
- PM Philip Morris International Inc2.1%
- GOOGL Alphabet Inc Class A1.9%
SCHD
- TXN Texas Instruments Inc4.6%
- COP ConocoPhillips4.3%
- CVX Chevron Corp4.3%
- PG Procter & Gamble Co4.2%
- KO Coca-Cola Co4.1%
- AMGN Amgen Inc4.1%
- HD The Home Depot Inc4.0%
- UNH UnitedHealth Group Inc3.9%
- MRK Merck & Co Inc3.8%
- PEP PepsiCo Inc3.8%
QDF vs SCHD: questions
Is QDF or SCHD better?
It depends on the job. SCHD pays more today (2.94% vs 1.53%), SCHD costs less, and SCHD has the better total return over Dec 2012 to Oct 2026, with SCHD 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, QDF or SCHD?
SCHD, at 2.94% against 1.53% for QDF as of Nov 5, 2026. On $10,000 that's about $294 vs $153 a year at today's rates.
Which has the better total return?
SCHD. From Dec 2012 to Oct 2026, it returned 13.6% a year with distributions reinvested, against 12.6% for QDF. $10,000 became $58,369 vs $51,697.
Which is cheaper, QDF or SCHD?
SCHD, with a 0.06% expense ratio against 0.39%.
Do QDF and SCHD hold the same things?
Not at the top: none of their top ten holdings match.
Related comparisons
Yields, costs and holdings as each fund reports them (via Yahoo Finance), updated daily; returns from month-end prices with distributions reinvested. SCHD leads on 7 of 8 measures above. For information only, not investment advice. Last fund data: Nov 5, 2026.