Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF — Complete quarterly dividend history since inception
| Year | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Annual | YoY Growth |
|---|
SCHD tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index, which requires at least 10 consecutive years of dividend payments. Stocks are further screened for cash flow to total debt, return on equity, dividend yield, and 5-year dividend growth rate.
Unlike high-yield ETFs that sacrifice growth, SCHD balances a competitive ~3.5% yield with ~10% annual dividend growth. This means your income stream grows significantly faster than inflation — doubling roughly every 7 years.
At 0.06% expense ratio, SCHD costs just $6 per year for every $10,000 invested. This is among the lowest fees in the dividend ETF category, leaving more of the dividend in your pocket.
The index reconstitutes every March, adding companies that have improved their dividend profile and removing those that no longer qualify. This built-in quality maintenance keeps the portfolio fresh without requiring active management decisions.
| ETF | Yield | Expense Ratio | Holdings | Div Growth (5yr) | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SCHD | ~3.5% | 0.06% | ~100 | ~10% | Quality + Growth |
| VYM | ~2.8% | 0.06% | ~450 | ~6% | Broad High Yield |
| HDV | ~3.3% | 0.08% | ~75 | ~5% | High Dividend |
| DGRO | ~2.3% | 0.08% | ~420 | ~10% | Dividend Growth |
| VIG | ~1.7% | 0.06% | ~315 | ~8% | Div Appreciation |
| JEPI | ~7.5% | 0.35% | ~120 | N/A | Options Income |
SCHD pays dividends quarterly, typically in March, June, September, and December. Ex-dividend dates usually fall in the third week of each quarter month. Payments are deposited within a few business days of the pay date.
SCHD's trailing 12-month yield fluctuates between 3.3% and 3.8% depending on the share price. As of early 2026, the yield is approximately 3.5%, significantly higher than the S&P 500's ~1.3% average. The yield changes daily as the share price moves.
SCHD is widely considered one of the best dividend ETFs. It has a low expense ratio (0.06%), strong dividend growth (~10% annually), a quality screening methodology, and holds roughly 100 high-quality stocks. It balances yield with growth better than most peers.
SCHD's annual dividend has grown from ~$0.85 in 2012 to over $2.86 in 2025, a compound annual growth rate of roughly 10%. This consistent growth, well above inflation, is one of SCHD's strongest selling points for income investors.
SCHD holds approximately 100 U.S. stocks selected from the Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index. Top holdings include Cisco, Broadcom, Home Depot, Verizon, Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, and Merck. The fund reconstitutes annually, favoring companies with 10+ years of consecutive dividends, strong financials, and competitive yields.