Schwab's Dividend ETF's Worst Year Since 2012 Was a 5.5% Loss. The Cost Showed Up in the Good Years.

The Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) had only three losing years between 2012-2025, with its worst loss being 5.5% in 2018. While this defensive positioning protected it during market downturns like 2022 (down 3% vs S&P 500 down 18%), it significantly underperformed in rising markets. Over 14 years, $10,000 in SCHD grew to ~$49,000 compared to ~$70,500 in the S&P 500, demonstrating the trade-off between downside protection and upside participation.