Dividend comparison
SCHE vs SPEM: Which Is Better?
Fees, yield, total returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history for Schwab Emerging Markets Equity ETF and State Street SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF, side by side. Updated October 21, 2026.
SCHE vs SPEM: key differences
The short answer, from the latest data on this page.
- Fees. SCHE is cheaper at 0.06% a year versus 0.07% for SPEM. On $10,000 that is $1 a year less in fees.
- Income. SCHE pays more income, yielding 2.66% over the last twelve months versus 2.55% for SPEM. That is about $10 more a year on $10,000. SCHE pays semi-annual, SPEM pays annual.
- Performance. Over the last 5 years, SPEM returned 33.1% versus 26.3% for SCHE, with dividends reinvested. $10,000 would have grown to $13,306 in SPEM and $12,632 in SCHE.
- Risk. Their worst declines over the last 5 years were similar: -30.8% for SCHE and -29.7% for SPEM from peak to trough.
- Diversification. SPEM holds 2,722 positions and SCHE holds 2,233. The ten largest positions make up 29.9% of SCHE and 25.7% of SPEM.
- Overlap. At least 35% of the two portfolios overlap by weight, across 48 shared holdings.
- Dividend growth. SCHE grew its yearly payout 3.1% a year over the last 4 years, versus -0.1% for SPEM.
Bottom line: SCHE fits better if you care most about faster dividend growth. SPEM fits better if you care most about stronger 5-year returns.
Side-by-side snapshot
Trailing twelve-month figures where available. Higher yield is highlighted — not a buy recommendation.
| Metric | SCHE Schwab Emerging Markets Equity ETF | SPEM State Street SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield (TTM) | 2.66% | 2.55% |
| Dividend / share (TTM) | $0.95 | $1.30 |
| Payout frequency | Semi-annual | Annual |
| Last dividend | $0.0443 on Jun 29, 2026 | $0.5277 on Jun 26, 2026 |
| Ex-dividend date | Jun 24, 2026 | Jun 22, 2026 |
| Dividend growth (CAGR) | 3.1% over 4 yrs | -0.1% over 4 yrs |
| Price | $35.85 | $50.91 |
| Dividend growth streak | 1 year | 2 years |
| Beta | 0.87 | 0.86 |
| Max drawdown (5Y) | -30.8% | -29.7% |
| Market cap | $12.59B | $16.86B |
| Exchange | AMEX | AMEX |
| Expense ratio | 0.06% | 0.07% |
| Assets under management | $12.60B | $17.00B |
| Number of holdings | 2233 | 2722 |
| Top 10 concentration | 29.9% | 25.7% |
Income on a $10,000 investment
Illustrative only — assumes current TTM yield stays constant. Actual distributions change.
SCHE
$22.13/mo
$266 /yr at 2.66% yield
SPEM
$21.27/mo
$255 /yr at 2.55% yield
Dividend history
Total dividends paid per share in each calendar year. SCHE pays semi-annual; SPEM pays annual.
| Year | SCHE | SPEM |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $0.9431 | $1.2983 |
| 2024 | $0.8080 | $1.0677 |
| 2023 | $0.9497 | $0.9928 |
| 2022 | $0.6927 | $1.1124 |
| 2021 | $0.8340 | $1.3037 |
Strategy: International equity
Funds that hold companies outside the United States, either across developed markets like Europe, Japan and Canada, across emerging markets like China, India and Taiwan, or both. Index providers disagree on edge cases such as whether South Korea is developed or emerging and whether small caps or Canada are included, which explains most of the gap between similar-looking funds. Dividend yields are usually higher than in the US market.
Returns are exposed to currency moves and to political and regulatory risk that US investors do not face at home, and emerging markets add wide swings.
Performance
Total returns with dividends reinvested, from the adjusted closing price series. $10,000 invested on Oct 20, 2021 would now be worth $12,632 in SCHE and $13,306 in SPEM.
| Period | SCHE | SPEM |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month | -2.69% | -2.84% |
| 3 months | 1.39% | 1.47% |
| Year to date | 9.47% | 9.86% |
| 1 year | 5.72% | 9.89% |
| 3 years | 65.21% | 70.38% |
| 5 years | 26.32% | 33.06% |
- SCHE
- SPEM
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.
- SCHE
- SPEM
SCHE vs SPEM holdings overlap
At least 35% overlap by weight, with 48 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 | SCHE weight | SPEM weight |
|---|---|---|
| 2330.TWTAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING | 17.20% | 14.27% |
| 0700.HKTENCENT HOLDINGS | 3.15% | 2.60% |
| 9988.HKALIBABA GROUP HOLDING | 2.49% | 2.14% |
| 2454.TWMEDIATEK | 1.82% | 1.70% |
| 0939.HKCHINA CONSTRUCTION BANK CORP H | 1.05% | 0.99% |
| 2308.TWDELTA ELECTRONICS | 0.92% | 0.85% |
| 2317.TWHON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY | 0.87% | 0.85% |
| 3711.TWASE TECHNOLOGY HOLDING | 0.65% | 0.70% |
| 1398.HKINDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL BANK OF | 0.73% | 0.59% |
| 3988.HKBANK OF CHINA LTD H | 0.51% | 0.51% |
Top 10 holdings
Largest positions by portfolio weight.
SCHE2233 holdings total
| Name | Weight |
|---|---|
| 2330.TWTAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING | 17.20% |
| 0700.HKTENCENT HOLDINGS | 3.15% |
| 9988.HKALIBABA GROUP HOLDING | 2.49% |
| 2454.TWMEDIATEK | 1.82% |
| 0939.HKCHINA CONSTRUCTION BANK CORP H | 1.05% |
| 2308.TWDELTA ELECTRONICS | 0.92% |
| 2317.TWHON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY | 0.87% |
| HDFCBANK.NSHDFC BANK | 0.83% |
| RELIANCE.NSRELIANCE INDUSTRIES LTD | 0.81% |
| GVMXXSSC GOVERNMENT MM GVMXX | 0.78% |
SPEM2722 holdings total
| Name | Weight |
|---|---|
| 2330.TWTAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFAC | 14.27% |
| 0700.HKTENCENT HOLDINGS LTD | 2.60% |
| 9988.HKALIBABA GROUP HOLDING LTD | 2.14% |
| 2454.TWMEDIATEK INC | 1.70% |
| 0939.HKCHINA CONSTRUCTION BANK H | 0.99% |
| 2308.TWDELTA ELECTRONICS INC | 0.85% |
| 2317.TWHON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY | 0.85% |
| HDFCBHDFC BANK LIMITED | 0.76% |
| RIGDRELIANCE INDS SPONS GDR 144A | 0.75% |
| IBNICICI BANK LTD SPON ADR | 0.74% |
Quick verdict
SCHE fits better if you care most about faster dividend growth. SPEM fits better if you care most about stronger 5-year returns. Model the holding inside your real portfolio before deciding.
Still deciding? Compare them in your portfolio
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Frequently asked questions
Is SCHE or SPEM better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. SCHE currently yields 2.66% Trailing Twelve Months (TTM) while SPEM yields 2.55%. 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 SCHE and SPEM?
Schwab Emerging Markets Equity ETF (SCHE) is an ETF listed on AMEX. State Street SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF (SPEM) 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, SCHE or SPEM?
SCHE has the lower expense ratio. SCHE charges 0.06% a year and SPEM charges 0.07%, a difference of $1 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which has performed better, SCHE or SPEM?
Over the last 5 years, SPEM has the higher total return with dividends reinvested: SCHE returned 26.3% and SPEM returned 33.1%. Past performance does not predict future returns.
Which is riskier, SCHE or SPEM?
Measured by the worst peak-to-trough decline over the last five years, SCHE has been riskier: SCHE fell as much as 30.8% and SPEM as much as 29.7%. Their betas are 0.87 and 0.86.
How much do SCHE and SPEM overlap?
At least 35% of the two portfolios overlap by weight, across 48 shared holdings. The largest shared positions are 2330.TW, 0700.HK, 9988.HK. Holding both still adds meaningful diversification.
How often do SCHE and SPEM pay dividends?
SCHE pays semi-annual and SPEM pays annual.
How much income does $10,000 in SCHE vs SPEM generate?
At current TTM yields, $10,000 in SCHE would generate roughly $22.13 per month ($266 annually). The same amount in SPEM would produce about $21.27 per month ($255 annually). Actual payouts vary with distribution changes and reinvestment.
Can I hold both SCHE and SPEM?
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 SCHE vs SPEM with my full portfolio?
Create a free Dividend Wealth account to import or enter holdings, forecast dividend income, and see how SCHE and SPEM 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.