SCHB vs SPY: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared
As of Nov 5, 2026, SCHB yields more: 1.07% (dividend yield) against 1.02% for SPY. SCHB is cheaper to own at 0.03% a year vs 0.09%. Over the same 16 years (Nov 2009 to Oct 2026), SPY returned 14.1% a year with distributions reinvested, and SCHB 13.4%.
| Compared | SCHB | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| YieldDividend yield | 1.07% | 1.02% |
| Expense ratio | 0.03% | 0.09% |
| Total return, 1 yr | +11.9% | +12.0% |
| Total return, 3 yr (a year) | +23.1% | +23.3% |
| Total return, 5 yr (a year) | +11.0% | +12.0% |
| Total return, 10 yr (a year) | +14.4% | +15.3% |
| Worst drop since Nov 2009 | -24.8% | -23.9% |
| Share price since Nov 2009 | +578% | +587% |
| Pays | Quarterly | Quarterly |
| Issuer | Schwab | State Street Investment Management |
| Assets | $44.2B | $796.9B |
| Started | 2009 | 1993 |
| Type | Large Blend | Large Blend |
Higher yield
SCHB
1.07%
Lower cost
SCHB
0.03%
Better total return
SPY
14.1%/yr
Smaller worst drop
SPY
-23.9%
Key facts: SCHB vs SPY
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Nov 5, 2026, SCHB yields 1.07% (dividend yield) and SPY yields 1.02% (dividend yield).
- SCHB's expense ratio is 0.03% and SPY's is 0.09%: $3 vs $9 a year on $10,000.
- From Nov 2009 to Oct 2026, $10,000 in SCHB grew to $83,534 (13.4% a year) and $10,000 in SPY to $92,852 (14.1% a year), distributions reinvested.
- Their worst month-end drops over that time: -24.8% for SCHB and -23.9% for SPY.
- 10 of SCHB's top ten holdings are also in SPY's top ten, an overlap of at least 33% of the fund.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "SCHB vs SPY: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared," updated Nov 5, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/schb-vs-spy
$10,000 in each, Nov 2009 to Oct 2026
Distributions reinvested, month-end values, with the S&P 500 for reference.
SCHB became
$83,534
13.4% a year
SPY became
$92,852
14.1% a year
Year by year
| Year | SCHB | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | +16.9% | +17.7% |
| 2024 | +23.9% | +24.9% |
| 2023 | +26.1% | +26.2% |
| 2022 | −19.4% | −18.2% |
| 2021 | +25.8% | +28.7% |
| 2020 | +19.6% | +18.3% |
| 2019 | +29.5% | +31.2% |
| 2018 | −6.1% | −4.6% |
| 2017 | +20.0% | +21.7% |
| 2016 | +14.7% | +12.0% |
| 2015 | −0.7% | +1.2% |
| 2014 | +11.5% | +13.5% |
| 2013 | +31.8% | +32.3% |
| 2012 | +14.8% | +16.0% |
| 2011 | +1.0% | +1.9% |
| 2010 | +16.2% | +15.1% |
Total return each calendar year, distributions reinvested.
Top holdings
10 of the top ten overlap, at least 33% of each fund.
SCHB
- AAPL Apple Inc6.9%
- NVDA NVIDIA Corp6.8%
- MSFT Microsoft Corp5.3%
- AMZN Amazon.com Inc3.2%
- GOOGL Alphabet Inc Class A2.2%
- AVGO Broadcom Inc2.1%
- META Meta Platforms Inc Class A1.9%
- GOOG Alphabet Inc Class C1.8%
- LLY Eli Lilly and Co1.5%
- TSLA Tesla Inc1.5%
SPY
- AAPL Apple Inc7.7%
- NVDA NVIDIA Corp7.6%
- MSFT Microsoft Corp5.9%
- AMZN Amazon.com Inc3.6%
- GOOGL Alphabet Inc Class A2.5%
- AVGO Broadcom Inc2.4%
- META Meta Platforms Inc Class A2.1%
- GOOG Alphabet Inc Class C2.0%
- LLY Eli Lilly and Co1.7%
- TSLA Tesla Inc1.7%
SCHB vs SPY: questions
Is SCHB or SPY better?
It depends on the job. SCHB pays more today (1.07% vs 1.02%), SCHB costs less, and SPY has the better total return over Nov 2009 to Oct 2026, with SPY 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, SCHB or SPY?
SCHB, at 1.07% against 1.02% for SPY as of Nov 5, 2026. On $10,000 that's about $107 vs $102 a year at today's rates.
Which has the better total return?
SPY. From Nov 2009 to Oct 2026, it returned 14.1% a year with distributions reinvested, against 13.4% for SCHB. $10,000 became $92,852 vs $83,534.
Which is cheaper, SCHB or SPY?
SCHB, with a 0.03% expense ratio against 0.09%.
Do SCHB and SPY hold the same things?
Partly. 10 of their top ten holdings match (AAPL, NVDA, MSFT, AMZN), at least 33% of each fund. Owning both doubles up on those.
Related comparisons
Yields, costs and holdings as each fund reports them (via Yahoo Finance), updated daily; returns from month-end prices with distributions reinvested. SPY leads on 6 of 8 measures above. For information only, not investment advice. Last fund data: Nov 5, 2026.
