Dividend comparison
VEA vs SCHF: Which Is Better?
Fees, yield, total returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history for Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF and Schwab International Equity ETF, side by side. Updated October 21, 2026.
VEA vs SCHF: 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. SCHF pays more income, yielding 3.12% over the last twelve months versus 2.44% for VEA. That is about $67 more a year on $10,000. VEA pays quarterly, SCHF pays annual.
- Performance. Over the last 5 years, SCHF returned 57.7% versus 51.8% for VEA, with dividends reinvested. $10,000 would have grown to $15,769 in SCHF and $15,183 in VEA.
- Risk. Their worst declines over the last 5 years were similar: -29.3% for VEA and -28.8% for SCHF from peak to trough.
- Diversification. VEA holds 3,873 positions and SCHF holds 1,440. The ten largest positions make up 13.2% of VEA and 13.7% of SCHF.
- Overlap. At least 33% of the two portfolios overlap by weight, across 75 shared holdings.
- Dividend growth. SCHF grew its yearly payout 8.3% a year over the last 4 years, versus 5.6% for VEA.
- Size. VEA is the larger fund with $313.5 billion in assets, against $67.5 billion for SCHF.
Bottom line: VEA fits better if you care most about broader diversification. SCHF fits better if you care most about more income today, stronger 5-year returns and faster dividend growth.
Side-by-side snapshot
Trailing twelve-month figures where available. Higher yield is highlighted — not a buy recommendation.
| Metric | VEA Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF | SCHF Schwab International Equity ETF |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield (TTM) | 2.44% | 3.12% |
| Dividend / share (TTM) | $1.70 | $0.84 |
| Payout frequency | Quarterly | Annual |
| Last dividend | $0.1775 on Sep 22, 2026 | $0.1650 on Jun 29, 2026 |
| Ex-dividend date | Sep 18, 2026 | Jun 24, 2026 |
| Dividend growth (CAGR) | 5.6% over 4 yrs | 8.3% over 4 yrs |
| Price | $69.78 | $27.06 |
| Dividend growth streak | 1 year | 4 years |
| Beta | 0.97 | 1.03 |
| Max drawdown (5Y) | -29.3% | -28.8% |
| Market cap | $313.86B | $67.18B |
| Exchange | AMEX | AMEX |
| Expense ratio | 0.03% | 0.03% |
| Assets under management | $313.50B | $67.45B |
| Number of holdings | 3873 | 1440 |
| Top 10 concentration | 13.2% | 13.7% |
Income on a $10,000 investment
Illustrative only — assumes current TTM yield stays constant. Actual distributions change.
VEA
$20.35/mo
$244 /yr at 2.44% yield
SCHF
$25.96/mo
$312 /yr at 3.12% yield
Dividend history
Total dividends paid per share in each calendar year. VEA pays quarterly; SCHF pays annual.
| Year | VEA | SCHF |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $2.0094 | $0.8216 |
| 2024 | $1.6042 | $0.6032 |
| 2023 | $1.5112 | $0.5484 |
| 2022 | $1.2219 | $0.4749 |
| 2021 | $1.6140 | $0.5970 |
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 $15,183 in VEA and $15,769 in SCHF.
| Period | VEA | SCHF |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month | -2.24% | -2.42% |
| 3 months | 0.11% | 0.74% |
| Year to date | 11.70% | 13.22% |
| 1 year | 13.95% | 17.35% |
| 3 years | 76.30% | 80.88% |
| 5 years | 51.83% | 57.69% |
- VEA
- SCHF
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.
- VEA
- SCHF
VEA vs SCHF holdings overlap
At least 33% overlap by weight, with 75 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 | VEA weight | SCHF weight |
|---|---|---|
| 005930.KSSamsung Electronics Co Ltd | 2.79% | 2.58% |
| 000660.KSSK hynix Inc | 2.28% | 1.89% |
| HSBA.LHSBC Holdings PLC | 1.04% | 1.13% |
| ROP.SWRoche Holding AG | 0.90% | 1.12% |
| SHEL.LShell PLC | 0.85% | 1.06% |
| RY.TORoyal Bank of Canada | 0.85% | 0.96% |
| NOVN.SWNovartis AG | 0.82% | 0.98% |
| 8306.TMitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc | 0.78% | 0.83% |
| AZN.LAstraZeneca PLC | 0.74% | 0.86% |
| NESN.SWNestle SA | 0.72% | 0.89% |
Top 10 holdings
Largest positions by portfolio weight.
VEA3873 holdings total
| Name | Weight |
|---|---|
| 005930.KSSamsung Electronics Co Ltd | 2.79% |
| 000660.KSSK hynix Inc | 2.28% |
| ASML.ASASML Holding NV | 2.12% |
| HSBA.LHSBC Holdings PLC | 1.04% |
| ROP.SWRoche Holding AG | 0.90% |
| SHEL.LShell PLC | 0.85% |
| RY.TORoyal Bank of Canada | 0.85% |
| NOVN.SWNovartis AG | 0.82% |
| 8306.TMitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc | 0.78% |
| AZN.LAstraZeneca PLC | 0.74% |
Quick verdict
VEA fits better if you care most about broader diversification. SCHF fits better if you care most about more income today, stronger 5-year returns and faster dividend growth. Model the holding inside your real portfolio before deciding.
Still deciding? Compare them in your portfolio
Forecast dividend income, track payouts, and see how VEA vs SCHF fits with the rest of your holdings. Free to start — no credit card required for the trial.
Frequently asked questions
Is VEA or SCHF better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. VEA currently yields 2.44% Trailing Twelve Months (TTM) while SCHF yields 3.12%. 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 VEA and SCHF?
Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA) is an ETF listed on AMEX. Schwab International Equity ETF (SCHF) 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, VEA or SCHF?
They cost about the same: VEA charges 0.03% a year and SCHF charges 0.03%.
Which has performed better, VEA or SCHF?
Over the last 5 years, SCHF has the higher total return with dividends reinvested: VEA returned 51.8% and SCHF returned 57.7%. Past performance does not predict future returns.
Which is riskier, VEA or SCHF?
Measured by the worst peak-to-trough decline over the last five years, VEA has been riskier: VEA fell as much as 29.3% and SCHF as much as 28.8%. Their betas are 0.97 and 1.03.
How much do VEA and SCHF overlap?
At least 33% of the two portfolios overlap by weight, across 75 shared holdings. The largest shared positions are 005930.KS, 000660.KS, HSBA.L. Holding both still adds meaningful diversification.
How often do VEA and SCHF pay dividends?
VEA pays quarterly and SCHF pays annual.
How much income does $10,000 in VEA vs SCHF generate?
At current TTM yields, $10,000 in VEA would generate roughly $20.35 per month ($244 annually). The same amount in SCHF would produce about $25.96 per month ($312 annually). Actual payouts vary with distribution changes and reinvestment.
Can I hold both VEA and SCHF?
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 VEA vs SCHF with my full portfolio?
Create a free Dividend Wealth account to import or enter holdings, forecast dividend income, and see how VEA and SCHF 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.