SmarterDividends

SCHD vs SGOV: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared

As of Nov 8, 2026, SGOV yields more: 3.64% (current yield) against 3.00% for SCHD. SCHD is cheaper to own at 0.06% a year vs 0.09%. Over the same 6 years (May 2020 to Oct 2026), SCHD returned 15.8% a year with distributions reinvested, and SGOV 3.0%.

ComparedSCHDSGOV
YieldSCHD: dividend yield; SGOV: current yield3.00%3.64%
Expense ratio0.06%0.09%
Total return, 1 yr+38.5%+3.7%
Total return, 3 yr (a year)+20.7%+4.5%
Total return, 5 yr (a year)+10.6%+3.8%
Total return, 10 yr (a year)+13.7%—
Worst drop since May 2020-15.7%-0.0%
Share price since May 2020+104%+1%
PaysQuarterlyMonthly
IssuerSchwabiShares
Assets$121.1B$116.8B
Started20112020
TypeLarge ValueTreasury ETF

Higher yield

SGOV

3.64%

Lower cost

SCHD

0.06%

Better total return

SCHD

15.8%/yr

Smaller worst drop

SGOV

-0.0%

Key facts: SCHD vs SGOV

Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data

  • As of Nov 8, 2026, SCHD yields 3.00% (dividend yield) and SGOV yields 3.64% (current yield).
  • SCHD's expense ratio is 0.06% and SGOV's is 0.09%: $6 vs $9 a year on $10,000.
  • From May 2020 to Oct 2026, $10,000 in SCHD grew to $25,649 (15.8% a year) and $10,000 in SGOV to $12,088 (3.0% a year), distributions reinvested.
  • Their worst month-end drops over that time: -15.7% for SCHD and -0.0% for SGOV.
Cite this page

SmarterDividends, "SCHD vs SGOV: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared," updated Nov 8, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/schd-vs-sgov

$10,000 in each, May 2020 to Oct 2026

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

SCHD became

$25,649

15.8% a year

SGOV became

$12,088

3.0% a year

Try other dates, monthly additions or more tickers →

Year by year

YearSCHDSGOV
2025+4.3%+4.2%
2024+11.7%+5.3%
2023+4.5%+5.1%
2022−3.3%+1.6%
2021+29.8%+0.0%

Total return each calendar year, distributions reinvested.

What each holds and how it's taxed

SCHD · Large Value
Its distributions are taxed as the fund reports them each year (qualified dividends, ordinary income or return of capital).
SGOV · Treasury ETF
Holds U.S. Treasury securities, so its income is generally exempt from state and local income tax (federal tax still applies).

General information, not tax advice. Every cash fund by yield →

Top holdings

No overlap in the top ten.

SCHD

  1. TXN Texas Instruments Inc4.6%
  2. COP ConocoPhillips4.3%
  3. CVX Chevron Corp4.3%
  4. PG Procter & Gamble Co4.2%
  5. KO Coca-Cola Co4.1%
  6. AMGN Amgen Inc4.1%
  7. HD The Home Depot Inc4.0%
  8. UNH UnitedHealth Group Inc3.9%
  9. MRK Merck & Co Inc3.8%
  10. PEP PepsiCo Inc3.8%

SGOV

  1. Holdings not reported.

SCHD vs SGOV: questions

Is SCHD or SGOV better?

It depends on the job. SGOV pays more today (3.64% vs 3.00%), SCHD costs less, and SCHD has the better total return over May 2020 to Oct 2026, with SGOV 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, SCHD or SGOV?

SGOV, at 3.64% against 3.00% for SCHD as of Nov 8, 2026. On $10,000 that's about $364 vs $300 a year at today's rates.

Which has the better total return?

SCHD. From May 2020 to Oct 2026, it returned 15.8% a year with distributions reinvested, against 3.0% for SGOV. $10,000 became $25,649 vs $12,088.

Which is cheaper, SCHD or SGOV?

SCHD, with a 0.06% expense ratio against 0.09%.

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 5 of 7 measures above. For information only, not investment advice. Last fund data: Nov 8, 2026.