Dividend comparison
VIGI vs SCHY: Which Is Better for Income?
Fees, yield, total returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history for Vanguard International Dividend Appreciation ETF and Schwab International Dividend Equity ETF, side by side. Updated October 21, 2026.
VIGI vs SCHY: key differences
The short answer, from the latest data on this page.
- Fees. VIGI is cheaper at 0.07% a year versus 0.08% for SCHY. On $10,000 that is $1 a year less in fees.
- Income. SCHY pays more income, yielding 3.57% over the last twelve months versus 2.14% for VIGI. That is about $143 more a year on $10,000. VIGI pays quarterly, SCHY pays semi-annual.
- Performance. Over the last 5 years, SCHY returned 51.5% versus 23.8% for VIGI, with dividends reinvested. $10,000 would have grown to $15,147 in SCHY and $12,384 in VIGI.
- Risk. VIGI has been the bumpier ride. Its worst peak-to-trough decline over the last 5 years was -27.7%, against -24.0% for SCHY.
- Diversification. VIGI holds 354 positions and SCHY holds 134. The ten largest positions make up 35.8% of VIGI and 40.5% of SCHY.
- Overlap. At least 5% of the two portfolios overlap by weight, across 4 shared holdings. They mostly own different companies, so they can complement each other.
- Dividend growth. SCHY grew its yearly payout 8.3% a year over the last 3 years, versus -24.4% for VIGI.
- Size. VIGI is the larger fund with $9.2 billion in assets, against $2.7 billion for SCHY.
Bottom line: VIGI fits better if you care most about broader diversification. SCHY fits better if you care most about more income today, stronger 5-year returns, smaller drawdowns and faster dividend growth.
Side-by-side snapshot
Trailing twelve-month figures where available. Higher yield is highlighted — not a buy recommendation.
| Metric | VIGI Vanguard International Dividend Appreciation ETF | SCHY Schwab International Dividend Equity ETF |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield (TTM) | 2.14% | 3.57% |
| Dividend / share (TTM) | $2.09 | $1.17 |
| Payout frequency | Quarterly | Semi-annual |
| Last dividend | $0.4579 on Sep 22, 2026 | $0.3160 on Sep 28, 2026 |
| Ex-dividend date | Sep 18, 2026 | Sep 23, 2026 |
| Dividend growth (CAGR) | -24.4% over 4 yrs | 8.3% over 3 yrs |
| Price | $97.40 | $32.90 |
| Dividend growth streak | 2 years | — |
| Beta | 0.69 | 0.76 |
| Max drawdown (5Y) | -27.7% | -24.0% |
| Market cap | $9.20B | $1.84B |
| Exchange | NASDAQ | AMEX |
| Expense ratio | 0.07% | 0.08% |
| Assets under management | $9.20B | $2.65B |
| Number of holdings | 354 | 134 |
| Top 10 concentration | 35.8% | 40.5% |
Income on a $10,000 investment
Illustrative only — assumes current TTM yield stays constant. Actual distributions change.
VIGI
$17.87/mo
$214 /yr at 2.14% yield
SCHY
$29.76/mo
$357 /yr at 3.57% yield
Dividend history
Total dividends paid per share in each calendar year. VIGI pays quarterly; SCHY pays semi-annual.
| Year | VIGI | SCHY |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1.9597 | $1.0582 |
| 2024 | $1.5436 | $1.0720 |
| 2023 | $1.5263 | $0.9774 |
| 2022 | $1.4342 | $0.8327 |
| 2021 | $5.9933 | — |
Strategy: Dividend equity
Rules-based equity funds that screen for companies paying sustainable or rising dividends, aiming at income plus long-term share-price participation. The screen is what defines the fund: yield-ranked indexes deliver more cash now, dividend-growth indexes deliberately exclude the highest payers in favor of durability. Both approaches produce a sector mix that looks nothing like the broad market, typically heavier in financials, healthcare, staples and industrials.
Expect stretches of underperformance versus the broad market whenever leadership comes from the high-growth, low-yield companies these screens exclude.
Performance
Total returns with dividends reinvested, from the adjusted closing price series. $10,000 invested on Oct 20, 2021 would now be worth $12,384 in VIGI and $15,147 in SCHY.
| Period | VIGI | SCHY |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month | 1.42% | 1.20% |
| 3 months | 2.41% | 1.11% |
| Year to date | 6.51% | 10.33% |
| 1 year | 6.55% | 15.76% |
| 3 years | 45.05% | 63.52% |
| 5 years | 23.84% | 51.47% |
- VIGI
- SCHY
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.
- VIGI
- SCHY
VIGI vs SCHY holdings overlap
At least 5% overlap by weight, with 4 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.
VIGI354 holdings total
| Name | Weight |
|---|---|
| 8306.TMitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc | 4.93% |
| RY.TORoyal Bank of Canada | 4.59% |
| SAP.DESAP SE | 3.80% |
| TD.TOToronto-Dominion Bank/The | 3.45% |
| NESN.SWNestle SA | 3.43% |
| ROP.SWRoche Holding AG | 3.38% |
| NOVN.SWNovartis AG | 3.27% |
| SU.PASchneider Electric SE | 3.18% |
| 8316.TSumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc | 3.01% |
| 6501.THitachi Ltd | 2.80% |
Quick verdict
VIGI fits better if you care most about broader diversification. SCHY fits better if you care most about more income today, stronger 5-year returns, smaller drawdowns 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 VIGI vs SCHY fits with the rest of your holdings. Free to start — no credit card required for the trial.
Frequently asked questions
Is VIGI or SCHY better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. VIGI currently yields 2.14% Trailing Twelve Months (TTM) while SCHY yields 3.57%. 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 VIGI and SCHY?
Vanguard International Dividend Appreciation ETF (VIGI) is an ETF listed on NASDAQ. Schwab International Dividend Equity ETF (SCHY) 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, VIGI or SCHY?
VIGI has the lower expense ratio. VIGI charges 0.07% a year and SCHY charges 0.08%, a difference of $1 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which has performed better, VIGI or SCHY?
Over the last 5 years, SCHY has the higher total return with dividends reinvested: VIGI returned 23.8% and SCHY returned 51.5%. Past performance does not predict future returns.
Which is riskier, VIGI or SCHY?
Measured by the worst peak-to-trough decline over the last five years, VIGI has been riskier: VIGI fell as much as 27.7% and SCHY as much as 24.0%. Their betas are 0.69 and 0.76.
How much do VIGI and SCHY overlap?
At least 5% of the two portfolios overlap by weight, across 4 shared holdings. The largest shared positions are ROP.SW, INFY.NS, WKL.AS. Holding both still adds meaningful diversification.
How often do VIGI and SCHY pay dividends?
VIGI pays quarterly and SCHY pays semi-annual.
How much income does $10,000 in VIGI vs SCHY generate?
At current TTM yields, $10,000 in VIGI would generate roughly $17.87 per month ($214 annually). The same amount in SCHY would produce about $29.76 per month ($357 annually). Actual payouts vary with distribution changes and reinvestment.
Can I hold both VIGI and SCHY?
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 VIGI vs SCHY with my full portfolio?
Create a free Dividend Wealth account to import or enter holdings, forecast dividend income, and see how VIGI and SCHY 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.