Dividend comparison
VYMI vs SCHY: Which Is Better for Income?
Fees, yield, total returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history for Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF and Schwab International Dividend Equity ETF, side by side. Updated October 21, 2026.
- Fees. VYMI is cheaper at 0.07% a year versus 0.08% for SCHY. On $10,000 that is $1 a year less in fees.
- Income. Their trailing yields are almost the same: 3.64% for VYMI and 3.57% for SCHY. VYMI pays quarterly, SCHY pays semi-annual.
- Performance. Over the last 5 years, VYMI returned 79.0% versus 51.5% for SCHY, with dividends reinvested. $10,000 would have grown to $17,898 in VYMI and $15,147 in SCHY.
- Risk. Their worst declines over the last 5 years were similar: -24.1% for VYMI and -24.0% for SCHY from peak to trough.
- Diversification. VYMI holds 1,561 positions and SCHY holds 134. The ten largest positions make up 13.7% of VYMI and 40.5% of SCHY.
- Overlap. At least 9% of the two portfolios overlap by weight, across 16 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 3.5% for VYMI.
- Size. VYMI is the larger fund with $22.3 billion in assets, against $2.7 billion for SCHY.
Bottom line: VYMI fits better if you care most about stronger 5-year returns and broader diversification. SCHY fits better if you care most about faster dividend growth.
| Metric | VYMI Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF | SCHY Schwab International Dividend Equity ETF |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield (TTM) | 3.64% | 3.57% |
| Dividend / share (TTM) | $3.72 | $1.17 |
| Payout frequency | Quarterly | Semi-annual |
| Last dividend | $0.8170 on Sep 22, 2026 | $0.3160 on Sep 28, 2026 |
| Ex-dividend date | Sep 18, 2026 | Sep 23, 2026 |
| Dividend growth (CAGR) | 3.5% over 4 yrs | 8.3% over 3 yrs |
| Price | $102.16 | $32.90 |
| Dividend growth streak | 3 years | — |
| Beta | 0.74 | 0.76 |
| Max drawdown (5Y) | -24.1% | -24.0% |
| Market cap | $22.34B | $1.84B |
| Exchange | NASDAQ | AMEX |
| Expense ratio | 0.07% | 0.08% |
| Assets under management | $22.30B | $2.65B |
| Number of holdings | 1561 | 134 |
| Top 10 concentration | 13.7% | 40.5% |
VYMI
$30.35/mo
$364 /yr at 3.64% yield
SCHY
$29.76/mo
$357 /yr at 3.57% yield
| Year | VYMI | SCHY |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $3.3151 | $1.0582 |
| 2024 | $3.2859 | $1.0720 |
| 2023 | $3.0473 | $0.9774 |
| 2022 | $2.8024 | $0.8327 |
| 2021 | $2.8868 | — |
Expect stretches of underperformance versus the broad market whenever leadership comes from the high-growth, low-yield companies these screens exclude.
What VYMI vs SCHY actually do
It tracks a FTSE All-World ex US High Dividend Yield index, covering developed and emerging markets and screening on forecast dividend yield in the same way as the US version. Non-US markets carry a structurally higher payout culture, so the headline yield generally runs above US dividend funds, and the sector mix leans toward financials, energy and materials rather than US-style consumer and technology names. Two mechanical consequences matter: distributions are lumpier because many foreign companies pay once or twice a year rather than quarterly, and foreign withholding tax is deducted at source, recoverable as a foreign tax credit in a taxable account but simply lost inside an IRA.
Suits an investor adding geographic diversification to a US-heavy income portfolio and willing to accept currency swings. A poor fit inside a tax-deferred account, where the foreign tax credit cannot be claimed, and for anyone who needs an even payment every quarter.
International dividend income
| Period | VYMI | SCHY |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month | -0.94% | 1.20% |
| 3 months | 1.26% | 1.11% |
| Year to date | 13.51% | 10.33% |
| 1 year | 19.64% | 15.76% |
| 3 years | 86.42% | 63.52% |
| 5 years | 78.98% | 51.47% |
- VYMI
- SCHY
Both series indexed to 100 on 2021-10-20 using the adjusted closing price series. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
- VYMI
- SCHY
| Largest shared holdings | VYMI weight | SCHY weight |
|---|---|---|
| ROP.SWRoche Holding AG | 1.55% | 4.30% |
| BHP.AXBHP Group Ltd | 1.14% | 3.66% |
| ULVR.LUnilever PLC | 0.67% | 4.06% |
| D05.SIDBS Group Holdings Ltd | 0.65% | 1.46% |
| BATS.LBritish American Tobacco PLC | 0.59% | 4.26% |
| 0939.HKChina Construction Bank Corp | 0.58% | 1.52% |
| ZURN.SWZurich Insurance Group AG | 0.53% | 1.38% |
| GSK.LGSK PLC | 0.51% | 3.94% |
| ENEL.MIEnel SpA | 0.39% | 3.89% |
| MUV2.DEMuenchener Rueckversicherungs-Gesellschaft AG in Muenchen | 0.38% | 0.95% |
VYMI1561 holdings total
Quick verdict
VYMI fits better if you care most about stronger 5-year returns and broader diversification. SCHY fits better if you care most about faster dividend growth. Model the holding inside your real portfolio before deciding.
Frequently asked questions
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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.