VFIAX vs SCHD: which was the better investment?
Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares against Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF on real daily total-return data — every dividend reinvested, from Oct 20, 2011 to Jul 13, 2026.
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Frequently asked questions
Did VFIAX beat SCHD?
Yes — measured from Oct 20, 2011 to Jul 13, 2026 with dividends reinvested, VFIAX came out ahead: $80,473 versus $62,369 from a $10,000 start. That gap compounds from a 15.2% annual return against 13.2%.
What would $10,000 in VFIAX be worth today?
$10,000 invested in Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX) on Oct 20, 2011 would be worth about $80,473 as of Jul 13, 2026, a total return of 704.7% (15.2% per year). The same $10,000 in SCHD would be worth $62,369.
Which was riskier — VFIAX or SCHD?
VFIAX swung with an annualized volatility of 16.8% and a worst peak-to-trough drop of -33.8%; SCHD ran at 15.4% volatility with a -33.4% maximum drawdown. Risk-adjusted (Sharpe ratio), that is 0.78 for VFIAX vs 0.73 for SCHD.
What data is this comparison based on?
Daily adjusted closing prices covering Oct 20, 2011 through Jul 13, 2026 — the full period where both assets have price history. Adjusted prices include dividends and splits, so these are total returns. The page refreshes with new market data every day.
Can I change the dates, amounts, or add monthly investing?
Yes — the interactive tool on this page is pre-loaded with VFIAX vs SCHD. You can set any start and end date, change the starting amount, add monthly contributions, or build a multi-asset portfolio and compare it against any benchmark.