QDEF vs SCHD
Northern Trust Quality Dividend Defensive ETF compared with Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF on yield, payout growth, payment schedule, cost and risk.
QDEF
Northern Trust Quality Dividend Defensive ETF
TTM yield · Quarterly
SCHD
Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF
TTM yield · Quarterly
Quick take
- SCHD yields more today: 2.94% vs 1.50% (forward).
- SCHD has grown its payout faster: 7.5%/yr vs 5.1%/yr over the last 5 years.
- Both pay every quarter.
- SCHD has the longer streak of annual increases: 8 years vs 1.
- Over the last year SCHD delivered the higher total return: +27.0% vs +18.9% (price change plus payouts).
- SCHD is cheaper to own: 0.06% vs 0.39% expense ratio.
- SCHD has the steadier distribution: consistency 92/100 vs 68/100.
Generated from the latest data on both pages. Not a recommendation.
Side by side
| Metric | QDEF | SCHD |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $91.48 | $34.41 |
| TTM yield | 1.53% | 3.05% |
| Forward yield | 1.50% | 2.94% |
| Annual payout per share | $1.368 | $1.012 |
| Payment frequency | Quarterly | Quarterly |
| Next ex-date | Sep 17, 2026 (est.) | Sep 23, 2026 (est.) |
| Expense ratio | 0.39% | 0.06% |
| 1-year payout growth | +5.7% | +2.2% |
| 5-year payout CAGR | +5.1% | +7.5% |
| Consecutive years of increases | 1 year | 8 years |
| Payout consistency (last 12) | 68/100 | 92/100 |
| 1-year total return | +18.9% | +27.0% |
| 1-year price return | +17.1% | +23.2% |
| Size (market cap / AUM) | 615.0M | 112.3B |
| Years paying | 13.7 | 14.7 |
| Sector / category | Large Value | Large Value |
✓ marks the more favourable figure where one exists (higher yield, growth, streak, consistency, return and size; lower cost, payout ratio and risk).
$10,000 invested today
| QDEF | SCHD | |
|---|---|---|
| Shares | 109.3 | 290.6 |
| Income per year | $150 | $294 |
| Income per month (avg) | $12 | $25 |
At forward yields, before taxes. Model QDEF · Model SCHD
Next payments
| Ex-date | Pay date | Per share | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| QDEF Sep 17, 2026 | Oct 1, 2026 | $0.342 | Est. |
| QDEF Dec 17, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | $0.342 | Est. |
| QDEF Mar 18, 2027 | Apr 1, 2027 | $0.342 | Est. |
| SCHD Sep 23, 2026 | Oct 7, 2026 | $0.253 | Est. |
| SCHD Dec 23, 2026 | Jan 6, 2027 | $0.253 | Est. |
| SCHD Mar 24, 2027 | Apr 7, 2027 | $0.253 | Est. |
Annual payouts per share
QDEFSCHD
Regular payments only; the current year is year to date. Per-share amounts are not directly comparable when share prices differ, so read this chart for growth trends.
FAQ
Which has the higher dividend yield, QDEF or SCHD?
SCHD currently has the higher trailing yield: QDEF yields 1.53% and SCHD yields 3.05%. Yield changes daily with price, so check the live figures above.
How often do QDEF and SCHD pay?
QDEF pays every quarter and SCHD pays every quarter. QDEF's next ex-date is Sep 17, 2026 and SCHD's is Sep 23, 2026.
Which has grown its dividend faster, QDEF or SCHD?
SCHD has grown its payout faster: 7.5%/yr vs 5.1%/yr over the last 5 years.
Is QDEF or SCHD better for income?
It depends on what you are optimising for. QDEF and SCHD differ in yield, growth, payment schedule and risk profile; the table above puts every metric side by side so you can weigh them for your own goals. This page is data, not advice.