Dividend comparison
VWO vs SCHE: Which Is Better?
Fees, yield, total returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history for Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF and Schwab Emerging Markets Equity ETF, side by side. Updated October 21, 2026.
VWO vs SCHE: key differences
The short answer, from the latest data on this page.
- Fees. Both charge about 0.06% a year, so cost is not what separates them.
- Income. SCHE pays more income, yielding 2.66% over the last twelve months versus 2.54% for VWO. That is about $12 more a year on $10,000. VWO pays annual, SCHE pays semi-annual.
- Performance. Over the last 5 years, VWO returned 28.9% versus 26.3% for SCHE, with dividends reinvested. $10,000 would have grown to $12,887 in VWO and $12,632 in SCHE.
- Risk. Their worst declines over the last 5 years were similar: -30.2% for VWO and -30.8% for SCHE from peak to trough.
- Diversification. VWO holds 5,942 positions and SCHE holds 2,233. The ten largest positions make up 27.3% of VWO and 29.9% of SCHE.
- Overlap. At least 45% of the two portfolios overlap by weight, across 82 shared holdings.
- Dividend growth. VWO grew its yearly payout 3.6% a year over the last 4 years, versus 3.1% for SCHE.
- Size. VWO is the larger fund with $164.7 billion in assets, against $12.6 billion for SCHE.
Bottom line: VWO has the edge on these figures, with stronger 5-year returns and broader diversification. SCHE 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 | VWO Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF | SCHE Schwab Emerging Markets Equity ETF |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield (TTM) | 2.54% | 2.66% |
| Dividend / share (TTM) | $1.48 | $0.95 |
| Payout frequency | Annual | Semi-annual |
| Last dividend | $0.1137 on Sep 22, 2026 | $0.0443 on Jun 29, 2026 |
| Ex-dividend date | Sep 18, 2026 | Jun 24, 2026 |
| Dividend growth (CAGR) | 3.6% over 4 yrs | 3.1% over 4 yrs |
| Price | $58.25 | $35.85 |
| Dividend growth streak | 1 year | 1 year |
| Beta | 0.78 | 0.87 |
| Max drawdown (5Y) | -30.2% | -30.8% |
| Market cap | $164.76B | $12.59B |
| Exchange | AMEX | AMEX |
| Expense ratio | 0.06% | 0.06% |
| Assets under management | $164.70B | $12.60B |
| Number of holdings | 5942 | 2233 |
| Top 10 concentration | 27.3% | 29.9% |
Income on a $10,000 investment
Illustrative only — assumes current TTM yield stays constant. Actual distributions change.
VWO
$21.17/mo
$254 /yr at 2.54% yield
SCHE
$22.13/mo
$266 /yr at 2.66% yield
Dividend history
Total dividends paid per share in each calendar year. VWO pays annual; SCHE pays semi-annual.
| Year | VWO | SCHE |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1.4973 | $0.9431 |
| 2024 | $1.4089 | $0.8080 |
| 2023 | $1.4472 | $0.9497 |
| 2022 | $1.6037 | $0.6927 |
| 2021 | $1.2994 | $0.8340 |
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 $12,887 in VWO and $12,632 in SCHE.
| Period | VWO | SCHE |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month | -2.93% | -2.69% |
| 3 months | 0.74% | 1.39% |
| Year to date | 8.68% | 9.47% |
| 1 year | 8.25% | 5.72% |
| 3 years | 66.91% | 65.21% |
| 5 years | 28.87% | 26.32% |
- VWO
- SCHE
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.
- VWO
- SCHE
VWO vs SCHE holdings overlap
At least 45% overlap by weight, with 82 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 | VWO weight | SCHE weight |
|---|---|---|
| 2330.TWTaiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Ltd | 15.72% | 17.20% |
| 0700.HKTencent Holdings Ltd | 2.81% | 3.15% |
| 9988.HKAlibaba Group Holding Ltd | 2.11% | 2.49% |
| 2454.TWMediaTek Inc | 1.87% | 1.82% |
| 2308.TWDelta Electronics Inc | 0.94% | 0.92% |
| 0939.HKChina Construction Bank Corp | 0.91% | 1.05% |
| 2317.TWHon Hai Precision Industry Co Ltd | 0.79% | 0.87% |
| HDFCBANK.NSHDFC Bank Ltd | 0.70% | 0.83% |
| 1398.HKIndustrial & Commercial Bank of China Ltd | 0.65% | 0.73% |
| 3711.TWASE Technology Holding Co Ltd | 0.61% | 0.65% |
Top 10 holdings
Largest positions by portfolio weight.
VWO5942 holdings total
| Name | Weight |
|---|---|
| 2330.TWTaiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Ltd | 15.72% |
| 0700.HKTencent Holdings Ltd | 2.81% |
| 9988.HKAlibaba Group Holding Ltd | 2.11% |
| 2454.TWMediaTek Inc | 1.87% |
| 2308.TWDelta Electronics Inc | 0.94% |
| 0939.HKChina Construction Bank Corp | 0.91% |
| 2317.TWHon Hai Precision Industry Co Ltd | 0.79% |
| HDFCBANK.BOHDFC Bank Ltd | 0.78% |
| HDFCBANK.NSHDFC Bank Ltd | 0.70% |
| RELIANCE.BOReliance Industries Ltd | 0.69% |
SCHE2233 holdings total
| Name | Weight |
|---|---|
| 2330.TWTAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING | 17.20% |
| 0700.HKTENCENT HOLDINGS | 3.15% |
| 9988.HKALIBABA GROUP HOLDING | 2.49% |
| 2454.TWMEDIATEK | 1.82% |
| 0939.HKCHINA CONSTRUCTION BANK CORP H | 1.05% |
| 2308.TWDELTA ELECTRONICS | 0.92% |
| 2317.TWHON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY | 0.87% |
| HDFCBANK.NSHDFC BANK | 0.83% |
| RELIANCE.NSRELIANCE INDUSTRIES LTD | 0.81% |
| GVMXXSSC GOVERNMENT MM GVMXX | 0.78% |
Quick verdict
VWO has the edge on these figures, with stronger 5-year returns and broader diversification. SCHE 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
Forecast dividend income, track payouts, and see how VWO vs SCHE fits with the rest of your holdings. Free to start — no credit card required for the trial.
Frequently asked questions
Is VWO or SCHE better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. VWO currently yields 2.54% Trailing Twelve Months (TTM) while SCHE yields 2.66%. 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 VWO and SCHE?
Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (VWO) is an ETF listed on AMEX. Schwab Emerging Markets Equity ETF (SCHE) 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, VWO or SCHE?
They cost about the same: VWO charges 0.06% a year and SCHE charges 0.06%.
Which has performed better, VWO or SCHE?
Over the last 5 years, VWO has the higher total return with dividends reinvested: VWO returned 28.9% and SCHE returned 26.3%. Past performance does not predict future returns.
Which is riskier, VWO or SCHE?
Measured by the worst peak-to-trough decline over the last five years, SCHE has been riskier: VWO fell as much as 30.2% and SCHE as much as 30.8%. Their betas are 0.78 and 0.87.
How much do VWO and SCHE overlap?
At least 45% of the two portfolios overlap by weight, across 82 shared holdings. The largest shared positions are 2330.TW, 0700.HK, 9988.HK. Holding both still adds meaningful diversification.
How often do VWO and SCHE pay dividends?
VWO pays annual and SCHE pays semi-annual.
How much income does $10,000 in VWO vs SCHE generate?
At current TTM yields, $10,000 in VWO would generate roughly $21.17 per month ($254 annually). The same amount in SCHE would produce about $22.13 per month ($266 annually). Actual payouts vary with distribution changes and reinvestment.
Can I hold both VWO and SCHE?
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 VWO vs SCHE with my full portfolio?
Create a free Dividend Wealth account to import or enter holdings, forecast dividend income, and see how VWO and SCHE 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.