Dividend comparison
VB vs SCHA: Which Is Better?
Fees, yield, total returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history for Vanguard Morningstar Small-Cap ETF and Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF, side by side. Updated October 21, 2026.
VB vs SCHA: 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. VB pays more income, yielding 1.27% over the last twelve months versus 1.13% for SCHA. That is about $13 more a year on $10,000. Both pay quarterly.
- Performance. Over the last 5 years, SCHA returned 33.5% versus 33.5% for VB, with dividends reinvested. $10,000 would have grown to $13,354 in SCHA and $13,349 in VB.
- Risk. SCHA has been the bumpier ride. Its worst peak-to-trough decline over the last 5 years was -30.8%, against -28.2% for VB.
- Diversification. SCHA holds 1,750 positions and VB holds 1,357. The ten largest positions make up 5.0% of VB and 10.1% of SCHA.
- Overlap. At least 3% of the two portfolios overlap by weight, across 10 shared holdings. They mostly own different companies, so they can complement each other.
- Dividend growth. VB grew its yearly payout 5.3% a year over the last 4 years, versus 4.0% for SCHA.
- Size. VB is the larger fund with $175.8 billion in assets, against $21.3 billion for SCHA.
Bottom line: VB has the edge on these figures, with faster dividend growth. SCHA does not lead on any of the measures compared here.
Side-by-side snapshot
Trailing twelve-month figures where available. Higher yield is highlighted — not a buy recommendation.
| Metric | VB Vanguard Morningstar Small-Cap ETF | SCHA Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield (TTM) | 1.27% | 1.13% |
| Dividend / share (TTM) | $3.65 | $0.37 |
| Payout frequency | Quarterly | Quarterly |
| Last dividend | $0.8488 on Sep 30, 2026 | $0.1005 on Sep 28, 2026 |
| Ex-dividend date | Sep 28, 2026 | Sep 23, 2026 |
| Dividend growth (CAGR) | 5.3% over 4 yrs | 4.0% over 4 yrs |
| Price | $288.04 | $32.57 |
| Dividend growth streak | 1 year | 1 year |
| Beta | 1.07 | 1.12 |
| Max drawdown (5Y) | -28.2% | -30.8% |
| Market cap | $175.84B | $21.30B |
| Exchange | AMEX | AMEX |
| Expense ratio | 0.03% | 0.03% |
| Assets under management | $175.80B | $21.34B |
| Number of holdings | 1357 | 1750 |
| Top 10 concentration | 5.0% | 10.1% |
Income on a $10,000 investment
Illustrative only — assumes current TTM yield stays constant. Actual distributions change.
VB
$10.56/mo
$127 /yr at 1.27% yield
SCHA
$9.45/mo
$113 /yr at 1.13% yield
Dividend history
Total dividends paid per share in each calendar year. VB pays quarterly; SCHA pays quarterly.
| Year | VB | SCHA |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $3.4386 | $0.3575 |
| 2024 | $3.1318 | $0.3905 |
| 2023 | $3.3170 | $0.3364 |
| 2022 | $2.9121 | $0.2774 |
| 2021 | $2.7956 | $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 $13,349 in VB and $13,354 in SCHA.
| Period | VB | SCHA |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month | -0.54% | -2.31% |
| 3 months | -2.76% | -3.55% |
| Year to date | 11.67% | 15.17% |
| 1 year | 12.20% | 16.49% |
| 3 years | 64.64% | 72.51% |
| 5 years | 33.49% | 33.54% |
- VB
- 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.
- VB
- SCHA
VB vs SCHA holdings overlap
At least 3% overlap by weight, with 10 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 | VB weight | SCHA weight |
|---|---|---|
| RVMDRevolution Medicines Inc | 0.53% | 0.88% |
| ATIATI Inc | 0.33% | 0.58% |
| GHGuardant Health Inc | 0.29% | 0.46% |
| MTSIMACOM Technology Solutions Holdings Inc | 0.26% | 0.36% |
| MKSIMKS Inc | 0.23% | 0.36% |
| SITMSiTime Corp | 0.21% | 0.27% |
| SMTCSemtech Corp | 0.21% | 0.26% |
| CDECoeur Mining Inc | 0.21% | 0.47% |
| BMNRBitMine Immersion Technologies Inc | 0.20% | 0.32% |
| ONTOOnto Innovation Inc | 0.19% | 0.27% |
Top 10 holdings
Largest positions by portfolio weight.
VB1357 holdings total
Quick verdict
VB has the edge on these figures, with faster dividend growth. SCHA does not lead on any of the measures compared here. Model the holding inside your real portfolio before deciding.
Still deciding? Compare them in your portfolio
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Frequently asked questions
Is VB or SCHA better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. VB currently yields 1.27% 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 VB and SCHA?
Vanguard Morningstar Small-Cap ETF (VB) 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, VB or SCHA?
They cost about the same: VB charges 0.03% a year and SCHA charges 0.03%.
Which has performed better, VB or SCHA?
Over the last 5 years, SCHA has the higher total return with dividends reinvested: VB returned 33.5% and SCHA returned 33.5%. Past performance does not predict future returns.
Which is riskier, VB or SCHA?
Measured by the worst peak-to-trough decline over the last five years, SCHA has been riskier: VB fell as much as 28.2% and SCHA as much as 30.8%. Their betas are 1.07 and 1.12.
How much do VB and SCHA overlap?
At least 3% of the two portfolios overlap by weight, across 10 shared holdings. The largest shared positions are RVMD, ATI, GH. Holding both still adds meaningful diversification.
How often do VB and SCHA pay dividends?
Both pay quarterly. The most recent payments were $0.8488 for VB and $0.1005 for SCHA.
How much income does $10,000 in VB vs SCHA generate?
At current TTM yields, $10,000 in VB would generate roughly $10.56 per month ($127 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 VB 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 VB vs SCHA with my full portfolio?
Create a free Dividend Wealth account to import or enter holdings, forecast dividend income, and see how VB 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.