SCHF vs VEA: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared
As of Nov 5, 2026, SCHF yields more: 3.13% (dividend yield) against 2.46% for VEA. SCHF is cheaper to own at 0.03% a year vs 0.03%. Over the same 16 years (Nov 2009 to Oct 2026), VEA returned 7.4% a year with distributions reinvested, and SCHF 7.3%.
| Compared | SCHF | VEA |
|---|---|---|
| YieldDividend yield | 3.13% | 2.46% |
| Expense ratio | 0.03% | 0.03% |
| Total return, 1 yr | +17.5% | +16.9% |
| Total return, 3 yr (a year) | +21.6% | +21.6% |
| Total return, 5 yr (a year) | +9.5% | +9.2% |
| Total return, 10 yr (a year) | +9.9% | +9.8% |
| Worst drop since Nov 2009 | -27.4% | -28.1% |
| Share price since Nov 2009 | +112% | +100% |
| Pays | Semiannual | Quarterly |
| Issuer | Schwab | Vanguard |
| Assets | $67.7B | $310.2B |
| Started | 2009 | 2007 |
| Type | Foreign Large Blend | Foreign Large Blend |
Higher yield
SCHF
3.13%
Lower cost
SCHF
0.03%
Better total return
VEA
7.4%/yr
Smaller worst drop
SCHF
-27.4%
Key facts: SCHF vs VEA
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Nov 5, 2026, SCHF yields 3.13% (dividend yield) and VEA yields 2.46% (dividend yield).
- SCHF's expense ratio is 0.03% and VEA's is 0.03%: $3 vs $3 a year on $10,000.
- From Nov 2009 to Oct 2026, $10,000 in SCHF grew to $33,023 (7.3% a year) and $10,000 in VEA to $33,627 (7.4% a year), distributions reinvested.
- Their worst month-end drops over that time: -27.4% for SCHF and -28.1% for VEA.
- 8 of SCHF's top ten holdings are also in VEA's top ten, an overlap of at least 11% of the fund.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "SCHF vs VEA: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared," updated Nov 5, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/schf-vs-vea
$10,000 in each, Nov 2009 to Oct 2026
Distributions reinvested, month-end values, with the S&P 500 for reference.
SCHF became
$33,023
7.3% a year
VEA became
$33,627
7.4% a year
Year by year
| Year | SCHF | VEA |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | +34.6% | +35.2% |
| 2024 | +3.3% | +3.1% |
| 2023 | +18.3% | +17.9% |
| 2022 | −14.8% | −15.3% |
| 2021 | +11.4% | +11.7% |
| 2020 | +9.5% | +9.7% |
| 2019 | +22.2% | +22.6% |
| 2018 | −14.2% | −14.7% |
| 2017 | +26.1% | +26.4% |
| 2016 | +3.0% | +2.6% |
| 2015 | −2.6% | −0.4% |
| 2014 | −5.6% | −6.0% |
| 2013 | +18.9% | +21.8% |
| 2012 | +18.8% | +18.6% |
| 2011 | −12.6% | −12.3% |
| 2010 | +9.3% | +8.4% |
Total return each calendar year, distributions reinvested.
Top holdings
8 of the top ten overlap, at least 11% of each fund.
SCHF
- Samsung Electronics Co Ltd2.7%
- SK hynix Inc2.1%
- ASML.AS ASML Holding NV2.1%
- SHEL.L Shell PLC1.1%
- NOVN.SW Novartis AG Registered Shares1.0%
- HSBA.L HSBC Holdings PLC1.0%
- RY Royal Bank of Canada1.0%
- AZN.L AstraZeneca PLC1.0%
- NESN.SW Nestle SA0.9%
VEA
- Samsung Electronics Co Ltd2.8%
- SK hynix Inc2.3%
- ASML.AS ASML Holding NV2.1%
- HSBA.L HSBC Holdings PLC1.0%
- ROP.SW Roche Holding AG Ordinary Shares new0.9%
- SHEL.L Shell PLC0.9%
- RY Royal Bank of Canada0.9%
- NOVN.SW Novartis AG Registered Shares0.8%
- Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc0.8%
- AZN.L AstraZeneca PLC0.7%
SCHF vs VEA: questions
Is SCHF or VEA better?
It depends on the job. SCHF pays more today (3.13% vs 2.46%), SCHF costs less, and VEA has the better total return over Nov 2009 to Oct 2026, with SCHF 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, SCHF or VEA?
SCHF, at 3.13% against 2.46% for VEA as of Nov 5, 2026. On $10,000 that's about $313 vs $246 a year at today's rates.
Which has the better total return?
VEA. From Nov 2009 to Oct 2026, it returned 7.4% a year with distributions reinvested, against 7.3% for SCHF. $10,000 became $33,627 vs $33,023.
Which is cheaper, SCHF or VEA?
SCHF, with a 0.03% expense ratio against 0.03%.
Do SCHF and VEA hold the same things?
Partly. 8 of their top ten holdings match (Samsung Electronics Co Ltd, SK hynix Inc, ASML.AS, HSBA.L), at least 11% of each fund. Owning both doubles up on those.
Yields, costs and holdings as each fund reports them (via Yahoo Finance), updated daily; returns from month-end prices with distributions reinvested. SCHF leads on 7 of 7 measures above. For information only, not investment advice. Last fund data: Nov 5, 2026.