Why the Schwab Dividend ETF (SCHD) Is losing its edge to Vanguard

Core Insights - The Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) has experienced significant underperformance recently, trailing behind major competitors in the dividend ETF space [1][2] - Once a leader in dividend investing, SCHD's performance has declined sharply, raising questions among investors about its future viability [2][4] Performance Overview - SCHD was historically a top performer, ranking in the top third of Morningstar's Large Cap Value category for nine consecutive years and achieving a 5-star Morningstar rating [3] - The ETF's total assets under management (AUM) reached over $71 billion, making it the second-largest dividend ETF globally, only behind Vanguard's VIG [3] Reasons for Underperformance - The decline in SCHD's performance began in 2023, coinciding with the rise of technology stocks, particularly the "Magnificent 7," which have driven the S&P 500 higher [4] - SCHD's allocation to technology stocks is only 9%, compared to approximately 35% in the S&P 500, which has hindered its ability to keep pace with market gains [4] - The ETF has invested heavily in underperforming sectors such as energy and staples, with over 50% of its portfolio in three of the worst-performing sectors year-to-date [4] - SCHD has minimal exposure to growth stocks, with only 0.27% of the fund allocated to this category, while the S&P 500 has 56% in growth stocks [4]