Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF gains 17% in 2026, surpassing the S&P 500’s 8% return amid renewed investor interest.
The Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) has risen 17% year-to-date, outperforming the S&P 500’s 8% return by nearly 9 percentage points. The gap highlights a resurgence in dividend growth strategies, which had lagged broader market performance in prior cycles.
Analysts highlight three dividend-focused ETFs as core holdings: SCHD, Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF (VIG), and iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF (DGRO). Each targets different investor needs, from high current income to long-term dividend growth, reflecting varied portfolio roles.
The outperformance has refocused attention on dividend growth as a distinct equity segment, diverging from the broader market’s trajectory in early 2026.