Dividend comparison
SCHM vs IWR: Which Is Better?
Fees, yield, total returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history for Schwab U.S. Mid-Cap ETF and iShares Russell Mid-Cap ETF, side by side. Updated October 21, 2026.
SCHM vs IWR: key differences
The short answer, from the latest data on this page.
- Fees. SCHM is cheaper at 0.03% a year versus 0.18% for IWR. On $10,000 that is $15 a year less in fees.
- Income. SCHM pays more income, yielding 1.29% over the last twelve months versus 1.16% for IWR. That is about $12 more a year on $10,000. Both pay quarterly.
- Performance. Over the last 5 years, IWR returned 41.3% versus 38.1% for SCHM, with dividends reinvested. $10,000 would have grown to $14,129 in IWR and $13,814 in SCHM.
- Risk. Their worst declines over the last 5 years were similar: -26.5% for SCHM and -26.2% for IWR from peak to trough.
- Diversification. IWR holds 822 positions and SCHM holds 503. The ten largest positions make up 12.4% of SCHM and 6.9% of IWR.
- Overlap. At least 2% of the two portfolios overlap by weight, across 6 shared holdings. They mostly own different companies, so they can complement each other.
- Dividend growth. SCHM grew its yearly payout 10.8% a year over the last 4 years, versus 9.3% for IWR.
- Size. IWR is the larger fund with $56.2 billion in assets, against $14.5 billion for SCHM.
Bottom line: SCHM fits better if you care most about lower fees and faster dividend growth. IWR fits better if you care most about stronger 5-year returns and broader diversification.
Side-by-side snapshot
Trailing twelve-month figures where available. Higher yield is highlighted — not a buy recommendation.
| Metric | SCHM Schwab U.S. Mid-Cap ETF | IWR iShares Russell Mid-Cap ETF |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield (TTM) | 1.29% | 1.16% |
| Dividend / share (TTM) | $0.44 | $1.27 |
| Payout frequency | Quarterly | Quarterly |
| Last dividend | $0.1287 on Sep 28, 2026 | $0.3275 on Sep 18, 2026 |
| Ex-dividend date | Sep 23, 2026 | Sep 15, 2026 |
| Dividend growth (CAGR) | 10.8% over 4 yrs | 9.3% over 4 yrs |
| Price | $34.59 | $109.60 |
| Dividend growth streak | 5 years | 4 years |
| Beta | 1.06 | 1.01 |
| Max drawdown (5Y) | -26.5% | -26.2% |
| Market cap | $14.46B | $56.31B |
| Exchange | AMEX | AMEX |
| Expense ratio | 0.03% | 0.18% |
| Assets under management | $14.46B | $56.25B |
| Number of holdings | 503 | 822 |
| Top 10 concentration | 12.4% | 6.9% |
Income on a $10,000 investment
Illustrative only — assumes current TTM yield stays constant. Actual distributions change.
SCHM
$10.71/mo
$129 /yr at 1.29% yield
IWR
$9.67/mo
$116 /yr at 1.16% yield
Dividend history
Total dividends paid per share in each calendar year. SCHM pays quarterly; IWR pays quarterly.
| Year | SCHM | IWR |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $0.4380 | $1.2407 |
| 2024 | $0.3967 | $1.1263 |
| 2023 | $0.3771 | $1.1084 |
| 2022 | $0.3967 | $1.0720 |
| 2021 | $0.2910 | $0.8680 |
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 $13,814 in SCHM and $14,129 in IWR.
| Period | SCHM | IWR |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month | -0.37% | 1.28% |
| 3 months | -0.20% | 1.06% |
| Year to date | 16.11% | 14.81% |
| 1 year | 17.61% | 15.13% |
| 3 years | 66.86% | 70.64% |
| 5 years | 38.14% | 41.29% |
- SCHM
- IWR
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.
- SCHM
- IWR
SCHM vs IWR holdings overlap
At least 2% overlap by weight, with 6 holdings in common. Overlap adds up the smaller of the two weights for every stock both funds own, so 100% would mean identical portfolios.
Top 10 holdings
Largest positions by portfolio weight.
SCHM503 holdings total
Quick verdict
SCHM fits better if you care most about lower fees and faster dividend growth. IWR fits better if you care most about stronger 5-year returns and broader diversification. Model the holding inside your real portfolio before deciding.
Still deciding? Compare them in your portfolio
Forecast dividend income, track payouts, and see how SCHM vs IWR fits with the rest of your holdings. Free to start — no credit card required for the trial.
Frequently asked questions
Is SCHM or IWR better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. SCHM currently yields 1.29% Trailing Twelve Months (TTM) while IWR yields 1.16%. 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 SCHM and IWR?
Schwab U.S. Mid-Cap ETF (SCHM) is an ETF listed on AMEX. iShares Russell Mid-Cap ETF (IWR) 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, SCHM or IWR?
SCHM has the lower expense ratio. SCHM charges 0.03% a year and IWR charges 0.18%, a difference of $15 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which has performed better, SCHM or IWR?
Over the last 5 years, IWR has the higher total return with dividends reinvested: SCHM returned 38.1% and IWR returned 41.3%. Past performance does not predict future returns.
Which is riskier, SCHM or IWR?
Measured by the worst peak-to-trough decline over the last five years, SCHM has been riskier: SCHM fell as much as 26.5% and IWR as much as 26.2%. Their betas are 1.06 and 1.01.
How much do SCHM and IWR overlap?
At least 2% of the two portfolios overlap by weight, across 6 shared holdings. The largest shared positions are MRNA, LITE, COHR. Holding both still adds meaningful diversification.
How often do SCHM and IWR pay dividends?
Both pay quarterly. The most recent payments were $0.1287 for SCHM and $0.3275 for IWR.
How much income does $10,000 in SCHM vs IWR generate?
At current TTM yields, $10,000 in SCHM would generate roughly $10.71 per month ($129 annually). The same amount in IWR would produce about $9.67 per month ($116 annually). Actual payouts vary with distribution changes and reinvestment.
Can I hold both SCHM and IWR?
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 SCHM vs IWR with my full portfolio?
Create a free Dividend Wealth account to import or enter holdings, forecast dividend income, and see how SCHM and IWR 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.