QQQ vs SCHD: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared
As of Nov 5, 2026, SCHD yields more: 2.94% (dividend yield) against 0.47% for QQQ. SCHD is cheaper to own at 0.06% a year vs 0.18%. Over the same 15 years (Oct 2011 to Oct 2026), QQQ returned 19.0% a year with distributions reinvested, and SCHD 13.5%.
| Compared | QQQ | SCHD |
|---|---|---|
| YieldDividend yield | 0.47% | 2.94% |
| Expense ratio | 0.18% | 0.06% |
| Total return, 1 yr | +10.3% | +38.5% |
| Total return, 3 yr (a year) | +26.0% | +20.7% |
| Total return, 5 yr (a year) | +13.0% | +10.6% |
| Total return, 10 yr (a year) | +20.3% | +13.7% |
| Worst drop since Oct 2011 | -32.6% | -21.6% |
| Share price since Oct 2011 | +1092% | +321% |
| Pays | Quarterly | Quarterly |
| Issuer | Invesco | Schwab |
| Assets | $463.8B | $121.1B |
| Started | 1999 | 2011 |
| Type | Large Growth | Large Value |
Higher yield
SCHD
2.94%
Lower cost
SCHD
0.06%
Better total return
QQQ
19.0%/yr
Smaller worst drop
SCHD
-21.6%
Key facts: QQQ vs SCHD
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Nov 5, 2026, QQQ yields 0.47% (dividend yield) and SCHD yields 2.94% (dividend yield).
- QQQ's expense ratio is 0.18% and SCHD's is 0.06%: $18 vs $6 a year on $10,000.
- From Oct 2011 to Oct 2026, $10,000 in QQQ grew to $135,630 (19.0% a year) and $10,000 in SCHD to $66,879 (13.5% a year), distributions reinvested.
- Their worst month-end drops over that time: -32.6% for QQQ and -21.6% for SCHD.
- 0 of QQQ's top ten holdings are also in SCHD's top ten.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "QQQ vs SCHD: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared," updated Nov 5, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/qqq-vs-schd
$10,000 in each, Oct 2011 to Oct 2026
Distributions reinvested, month-end values, with the S&P 500 for reference.
QQQ became
$135,630
19.0% a year
SCHD became
$66,879
13.5% a year
Year by year
| Year | QQQ | SCHD |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | +20.8% | +4.3% |
| 2024 | +25.6% | +11.7% |
| 2023 | +54.9% | +4.5% |
| 2022 | −32.6% | −3.3% |
| 2021 | +27.4% | +29.8% |
| 2020 | +48.6% | +15.0% |
| 2019 | +39.0% | +27.3% |
| 2018 | −0.1% | −5.6% |
| 2017 | +32.7% | +20.8% |
| 2016 | +7.1% | +16.2% |
| 2015 | +9.4% | −0.4% |
| 2014 | +19.2% | +11.4% |
| 2013 | +36.6% | +32.8% |
| 2012 | +18.1% | +11.1% |
Total return each calendar year, distributions reinvested.
Top holdings
No overlap in the top ten.
QQQ
- AAPL Apple Inc8.2%
- NVDA NVIDIA Corp8.0%
- MSFT Microsoft Corp6.3%
- MU Micron Technology Inc4.5%
- AMZN Amazon.com Inc4.2%
- AMD Advanced Micro Devices Inc3.7%
- TSLA Tesla Inc3.4%
- META Meta Platforms Inc Class A3.0%
- WMT Walmart Inc2.7%
- GOOGL Alphabet Inc Class A2.7%
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%
QQQ vs SCHD: questions
Is QQQ or SCHD better?
It depends on the job. SCHD pays more today (2.94% vs 0.47%), SCHD costs less, and QQQ has the better total return over Oct 2011 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, QQQ or SCHD?
SCHD, at 2.94% against 0.47% for QQQ as of Nov 5, 2026. On $10,000 that's about $294 vs $47 a year at today's rates.
Which has the better total return?
QQQ. From Oct 2011 to Oct 2026, it returned 19.0% a year with distributions reinvested, against 13.5% for SCHD. $10,000 became $135,630 vs $66,879.
Which is cheaper, QQQ or SCHD?
SCHD, with a 0.06% expense ratio against 0.18%.
Do QQQ 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. For information only, not investment advice. Last fund data: Nov 5, 2026.