Dividend comparison
SCHF vs SPDW: Which Is Better?
Fees, yield, total returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history for Schwab International Equity ETF and State Street SPDR Portfolio Developed World ex-US ETF, side by side. Updated October 21, 2026.
SCHF vs SPDW: key differences
The short answer, from the latest data on this page.
- Fees. Both charge about 0.03% a year, so cost is not what separates them.
- Income. Their trailing yields are almost the same: 3.12% for SCHF and 3.06% for SPDW. Both pay annual.
- Performance. Over the last 5 years, SCHF returned 57.7% versus 50.0% for SPDW, with dividends reinvested. $10,000 would have grown to $15,769 in SCHF and $15,005 in SPDW.
- Risk. Their worst declines over the last 5 years were similar: -28.8% for SCHF and -29.8% for SPDW from peak to trough.
- Diversification. SPDW holds 2,437 positions and SCHF holds 1,440. The ten largest positions make up 13.7% of SCHF and 12.1% of SPDW.
- Overlap. At least 29% of the two portfolios overlap by weight, across 67 shared holdings.
- Dividend growth. SCHF grew its yearly payout 8.3% a year over the last 4 years, versus 7.2% for SPDW.
Bottom line: SCHF fits better if you care most about stronger 5-year returns and faster dividend growth. SPDW fits better if you care most about broader diversification.
Side-by-side snapshot
Trailing twelve-month figures where available. Higher yield is highlighted — not a buy recommendation.
| Metric | SCHF Schwab International Equity ETF | SPDW State Street SPDR Portfolio Developed World ex-US ETF |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield (TTM) | 3.12% | 3.06% |
| Dividend / share (TTM) | $0.84 | $1.52 |
| Payout frequency | Annual | Annual |
| Last dividend | $0.1650 on Jun 29, 2026 | $0.7220 on Jun 26, 2026 |
| Ex-dividend date | Jun 24, 2026 | Jun 22, 2026 |
| Dividend growth (CAGR) | 8.3% over 4 yrs | 7.2% over 4 yrs |
| Price | $27.06 | $49.56 |
| Dividend growth streak | 4 years | 3 years |
| Beta | 1.03 | 1.03 |
| Max drawdown (5Y) | -28.8% | -29.8% |
| Market cap | $67.18B | $40.90B |
| Exchange | AMEX | AMEX |
| Expense ratio | 0.03% | 0.03% |
| Assets under management | $67.45B | $41.04B |
| Number of holdings | 1440 | 2437 |
| Top 10 concentration | 13.7% | 12.1% |
Income on a $10,000 investment
Illustrative only — assumes current TTM yield stays constant. Actual distributions change.
SCHF
$25.96/mo
$312 /yr at 3.12% yield
SPDW
$25.49/mo
$306 /yr at 3.06% yield
Dividend history
Total dividends paid per share in each calendar year. SCHF pays annual; SPDW pays annual.
| Year | SCHF | SPDW |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $0.8216 | $1.4658 |
| 2024 | $0.6032 | $1.0898 |
| 2023 | $0.5484 | $0.9343 |
| 2022 | $0.4749 | $0.9271 |
| 2021 | $0.5970 | $1.1080 |
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 $15,769 in SCHF and $15,005 in SPDW.
| Period | SCHF | SPDW |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month | -2.42% | -2.33% |
| 3 months | 0.74% | 0.36% |
| Year to date | 13.22% | 11.60% |
| 1 year | 17.35% | 13.33% |
| 3 years | 80.88% | 75.99% |
| 5 years | 57.69% | 50.05% |
- SCHF
- SPDW
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.
- SCHF
- SPDW
SCHF vs SPDW holdings overlap
At least 29% overlap by weight, with 67 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 | SCHF weight | SPDW weight |
|---|---|---|
| ASMLASML HOLDING | 2.21% | 1.97% |
| ROP.SWROCHE PS PAR AG | 1.12% | 0.98% |
| NOVN.SWNOVARTIS AG | 0.98% | 0.84% |
| RY.TOROYAL BANK OF CANADA | 0.96% | 0.83% |
| 8306.TMITSUBISHI UFJ FINANCIAL GROUP | 0.83% | 0.81% |
| NESN.SWNESTLE SA | 0.89% | 0.79% |
| 7203.TTOYOTA MOTOR | 0.71% | 0.72% |
| SAPSAP | 0.76% | 0.69% |
| BHP.AXBHP GROUP LTD | 0.73% | 0.65% |
| SHOP.TOSHOPIFY SUBORDINATE VOTING CLASS A | 0.72% | 0.64% |
Quick verdict
SCHF fits better if you care most about stronger 5-year returns and faster dividend growth. SPDW fits better if you care most about broader diversification. Model the holding inside your real portfolio before deciding.
Still deciding? Compare them in your portfolio
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Frequently asked questions
Is SCHF or SPDW better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. SCHF currently yields 3.12% Trailing Twelve Months (TTM) while SPDW yields 3.06%. 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 SCHF and SPDW?
Schwab International Equity ETF (SCHF) is an ETF listed on AMEX. State Street SPDR Portfolio Developed World ex-US ETF (SPDW) 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, SCHF or SPDW?
They cost about the same: SCHF charges 0.03% a year and SPDW charges 0.03%.
Which has performed better, SCHF or SPDW?
Over the last 5 years, SCHF has the higher total return with dividends reinvested: SCHF returned 57.7% and SPDW returned 50.0%. Past performance does not predict future returns.
Which is riskier, SCHF or SPDW?
Measured by the worst peak-to-trough decline over the last five years, SPDW has been riskier: SCHF fell as much as 28.8% and SPDW as much as 29.8%. Their betas are 1.03 and 1.03.
How much do SCHF and SPDW overlap?
At least 29% of the two portfolios overlap by weight, across 67 shared holdings. The largest shared positions are ASML, ROP.SW, NOVN.SW. Holding both still adds meaningful diversification.
How often do SCHF and SPDW pay dividends?
Both pay annual. The most recent payments were $0.1650 for SCHF and $0.7220 for SPDW.
How much income does $10,000 in SCHF vs SPDW generate?
At current TTM yields, $10,000 in SCHF would generate roughly $25.96 per month ($312 annually). The same amount in SPDW would produce about $25.49 per month ($306 annually). Actual payouts vary with distribution changes and reinvestment.
Can I hold both SCHF and SPDW?
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 SCHF vs SPDW with my full portfolio?
Create a free Dividend Wealth account to import or enter holdings, forecast dividend income, and see how SCHF and SPDW 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.