Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) is a ETF from Charles Schwab Asset Management and Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Class (VFIAX) is a mutual fund from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SCHD returned +31.88% while VFIAX returned +20.05%. Year to date, SCHD is up 24.08% versus a gain of 10.84% for VFIAX.

Over three years, SCHD compounded at +14.92% per year against +19.29% for VFIAX; over five years the annualized figures are +9.85% and +11.41% respectively. Across the full 5-year window we track, VFIAX has the edge at +11.41% annualized vs +11.39%. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

VFIAX has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.7% 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 -33.4% for SCHD and -25.4% for VFIAX. 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 0.71. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.

SCHD charges 0.06% per year while VFIAX charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $6 vs $4 annually, a gap of $2 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SCHD currently yields 3.31% against 1.28% for VFIAX.