Vanguard S&P Mid-Cap 400 ETF (IVOO) is a ETF from Vanguard (US) and Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) is a ETF from Charles Schwab Asset Management. Over the past year IVOO returned +24.14% while SCHD returned +30.95%. Year to date, IVOO is up 15.28% versus a gain of 23.53% for SCHD.

Over three years, IVOO compounded at +14.02% per year against +14.72% for SCHD; over five years the annualized figures are +8.71% and +9.56% respectively. Across the full 15-year window we track, IVOO has the edge at +11.38% annualized vs +11.35%. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

IVOO has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.9% compared with 13.6% for SCHD. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.

The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -42.5% for IVOO and -33.4% for SCHD. Drawdown depth is worth weighing if you expect to sell during market stress rather than ride it out.

The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.86. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.

IVOO charges 0.07% per year while SCHD charges 0.06%. On a $10,000 position that is $7 vs $6 annually, a gap of $1 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IVOO currently yields 1.46% against 3.31% for SCHD.