Dividend comparison
IWM vs SCHA: Which Is Better?
Fees, yield, total returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history for iShares Russell 2000 ETF and Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF, side by side. Updated October 21, 2026.
IWM vs SCHA: key differences
The short answer, from the latest data on this page.
- Fees. SCHA is cheaper at 0.03% a year versus 0.19% for IWM. On $10,000 that is $16 a year less in fees.
- Income. SCHA pays more income, yielding 1.13% over the last twelve months versus 0.99% for IWM. That is about $14 more a year on $10,000. Both pay quarterly.
- Performance. Over the last 5 years, SCHA returned 33.5% versus 28.7% for IWM, with dividends reinvested. $10,000 would have grown to $13,354 in SCHA and $12,869 in IWM.
- Risk. Their worst declines over the last 5 years were similar: -31.9% for IWM and -30.8% for SCHA from peak to trough.
- Diversification. IWM holds 1,981 positions and SCHA holds 1,750. The ten largest positions make up 3.3% of IWM and 10.1% of SCHA.
- Overlap. At least 6% of the two portfolios overlap by weight, across 28 shared holdings. They mostly own different companies, so they can complement each other.
- Dividend growth. IWM grew its yearly payout 5.1% a year over the last 4 years, versus 4.0% for SCHA.
- Size. IWM is the larger fund with $74.9 billion in assets, against $21.3 billion for SCHA.
Bottom line: IWM fits better if you care most about faster dividend growth. SCHA fits better if you care most about lower fees and stronger 5-year returns.
Side-by-side snapshot
Trailing twelve-month figures where available. Higher yield is highlighted — not a buy recommendation.
| Metric | IWM iShares Russell 2000 ETF | SCHA Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield (TTM) | 0.99% | 1.13% |
| Dividend / share (TTM) | $2.73 | $0.37 |
| Payout frequency | Quarterly | Quarterly |
| Last dividend | $0.7504 on Sep 18, 2026 | $0.1005 on Sep 28, 2026 |
| Ex-dividend date | Sep 15, 2026 | Sep 23, 2026 |
| Dividend growth (CAGR) | 5.1% over 4 yrs | 4.0% over 4 yrs |
| Price | $275.78 | $32.57 |
| Dividend growth streak | 1 year | 1 year |
| Beta | 1.14 | 1.12 |
| Max drawdown (5Y) | -31.9% | -30.8% |
| Market cap | $77.59B | $21.30B |
| Exchange | AMEX | AMEX |
| Expense ratio | 0.19% | 0.03% |
| Assets under management | $74.85B | $21.34B |
| Number of holdings | 1981 | 1750 |
| Top 10 concentration | 3.3% | 10.1% |
Income on a $10,000 investment
Illustrative only — assumes current TTM yield stays constant. Actual distributions change.
IWM
$8.25/mo
$99 /yr at 0.99% yield
SCHA
$9.45/mo
$113 /yr at 1.13% yield
Dividend history
Total dividends paid per share in each calendar year. IWM pays quarterly; SCHA pays quarterly.
| Year | IWM | SCHA |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $2.5547 | $0.3575 |
| 2024 | $2.5305 | $0.3905 |
| 2023 | $2.7021 | $0.3364 |
| 2022 | $2.5850 | $0.2774 |
| 2021 | $2.0900 | $0.3055 |
Strategy: Small and mid cap
Funds that hold companies below the large-cap tier, where there is more room for growth and less coverage by analysts. Small-cap indexes differ meaningfully: some screen for profitability, some include every listed company, and value-tilted funds lean toward the cheapest names. Those rules drive more of the difference between funds than fees do.
Smaller companies are more sensitive to recessions and borrowing costs, so drawdowns run deeper than in large-cap funds.
Performance
Total returns with dividends reinvested, from the adjusted closing price series. $10,000 invested on Oct 20, 2021 would now be worth $12,869 in IWM and $13,354 in SCHA.
| Period | IWM | SCHA |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month | -2.93% | -2.31% |
| 3 months | -5.41% | -3.55% |
| Year to date | 12.79% | 15.17% |
| 1 year | 12.26% | 16.49% |
| 3 years | 70.87% | 72.51% |
| 5 years | 28.69% | 33.54% |
- IWM
- SCHA
Both series indexed to 100 on 2021-10-20 using the adjusted closing price series. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Sector allocation
Weight of each sector within the fund. Sectors are aligned on the same row so the two funds can be read against each other directly.
- IWM
- SCHA
IWM vs SCHA holdings overlap
At least 6% overlap by weight, with 28 holdings in common. Overlap adds up the smaller of the two weights for every stock both funds own, so 100% would mean identical portfolios.
| Largest shared holdings | IWM weight | SCHA weight |
|---|---|---|
| BTSGBRIGHTSPRING HEALTH SERVICES INC | 0.35% | 0.26% |
| GKOSGLAUKOS | 0.33% | 0.24% |
| UMBFUMB FINANCIAL | 0.34% | 0.23% |
| TWSTTWIST BIOSCIENCE | 0.30% | 0.23% |
| SMSM ENERGY | 0.33% | 0.23% |
| PCVXVAXCYTE | 0.30% | 0.22% |
| CYTKCYTOKINETICS | 0.29% | 0.22% |
| PTGXPROTAGONIST THERAPEUTICS | 0.27% | 0.22% |
| RHPRYMAN HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES REIT | 0.30% | 0.21% |
| FCFSFIRSTCASH HOLDINGS INC | 0.31% | 0.21% |
Top 10 holdings
Largest positions by portfolio weight.
IWM1981 holdings total
Quick verdict
IWM fits better if you care most about faster dividend growth. SCHA fits better if you care most about lower fees and stronger 5-year returns. Model the holding inside your real portfolio before deciding.
Still deciding? Compare them in your portfolio
Forecast dividend income, track payouts, and see how IWM vs SCHA fits with the rest of your holdings. Free to start — no credit card required for the trial.
Frequently asked questions
Is IWM or SCHA better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. IWM currently yields 0.99% Trailing Twelve Months (TTM) while SCHA yields 1.13%. Higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, but may come with different risk, growth, or NAV characteristics. Compare total return and payout sustainability — not just the headline yield.
What is the difference between IWM and SCHA?
iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM) is an ETF listed on AMEX. Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF (SCHA) is an ETF listed on AMEX. Side-by-side metrics on this page cover yield, fees, returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history when available.
Which is cheaper, IWM or SCHA?
SCHA has the lower expense ratio. IWM charges 0.19% a year and SCHA charges 0.03%, a difference of $16 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which has performed better, IWM or SCHA?
Over the last 5 years, SCHA has the higher total return with dividends reinvested: IWM returned 28.7% and SCHA returned 33.5%. Past performance does not predict future returns.
Which is riskier, IWM or SCHA?
Measured by the worst peak-to-trough decline over the last five years, IWM has been riskier: IWM fell as much as 31.9% and SCHA as much as 30.8%. Their betas are 1.14 and 1.12.
How much do IWM and SCHA overlap?
At least 6% of the two portfolios overlap by weight, across 28 shared holdings. The largest shared positions are BTSG, GKOS, UMBF. Holding both still adds meaningful diversification.
How often do IWM and SCHA pay dividends?
Both pay quarterly. The most recent payments were $0.7504 for IWM and $0.1005 for SCHA.
How much income does $10,000 in IWM vs SCHA generate?
At current TTM yields, $10,000 in IWM would generate roughly $8.25 per month ($99 annually). The same amount in SCHA would produce about $9.45 per month ($113 annually). Actual payouts vary with distribution changes and reinvestment.
Can I hold both IWM and SCHA?
Yes. Many income investors hold both to diversify strategy or index exposure. Whether the combination actually diversifies depends on overlapping holdings and factor exposure. Model both inside Dividend Wealth to see combined income, sector mix, and forecast impact.
Where can I compare IWM vs SCHA with my full portfolio?
Create a free Dividend Wealth account to import or enter holdings, forecast dividend income, and see how IWM and SCHA fit alongside the rest of your portfolio. A 14-day free trial of Standard is available with no credit card required; a limited Free plan is also available.
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For informational and educational purposes only. Not investment advice. Past performance and current yields do not guarantee future results. Verify figures independently before making investment decisions.