If you think SCHD is the ultimate dividend king in 2026… think again.
Harry just ran the numbers on his own portfolio, and what he discovered completely changes the game for dividend investors.
Most people worship SCHD for its 13-year streak of dividend growth. 📈
But here’s the kicker: while everyone else is cheering SCHD, three other ETFs are quietly crushing it—one pays monthly instead of quarterly, another nearly doubles the yield, and the third dominates total returns.
Before you freak out, remember: past performance isn’t a crystal ball. This is educational content for your own financial planning—your money decisions should always match your goals and risk tolerance.
Now, let’s break down why Harry moved his $50,000 from SCHD into a custom 4-ETF mix that’s absolutely crushing it.
The SCHD Myth
On paper, SCHD looks solid:
3.8% dividend yield
Quarterly payments like clockwork
Legendary 13-year streak of dividend increases
Ultra-low expense ratio of 0.06%
Everyone online loves it. Everyone recommends it for retirement.
But Harry asked a simple, dangerous question:
“Does legendary reputation equal optimal performance for my actual life?”
Here’s the truth: SCHD’s 10.38% 5-year dividend growth looks great on screenshots… but what about real income hitting your account today? Or total returns while you wait for consistency?
Enter the ETFs That Actually Deliver
1️⃣ Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM)
582 holdings (vs SCHD’s 103) = huge diversification ✅
13.96% total return last year vs SCHD’s 1.21% 😳
14 consecutive years of dividend increases
Focuses on current income, not just future growth
This ETF spreads risk, protects you when sectors stumble, and actually grows your principal while paying dividends.
2️⃣ Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VO)
Yield: only 1.15% (tiny vs SCHD)
Total return: 17.56% last year
Technology-heavy exposure = capital growth powerhouse 💻
Here’s the math Harry ran:
| ETF | $10k invested | Dividend | Total Growth | Ending Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SCHD | $10,000 | $380 | 1.21% | $10,500 |
| VO | $10,000 | $115 | 17.56% | $11,871 ✅ |
$1,370 more in actual passive income just by combining growth and dividends smartly.
3️⃣ Global X SuperDividend US ETF (DIV)
Yield: 6.93% 🤑 (almost double SCHD!)
Monthly payments = money in your account 12x per year
Defensive sectors: Energy 17.77%, Real Estate 21.52%, Utilities 19.81%
Even if the total return dips slightly, the monthly cash flow funds living expenses without touching principal. That’s actual financial independence in action.
4️⃣ SCHD (Yes, Still a Role!)
Legendary stability ✅
13-year dividend growth streak
103 carefully selected holdings
Harry didn’t ditch SCHD entirely. He just used it as part of a balanced strategy.
Harry’s 4-ETF Mix
| ETF | Allocation | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| VO | 40% | Capital growth & compound interest |
| VYM | 30% | Balanced dividends & total returns |
| DIV | 20% | Monthly income streams |
| SCHD | 10% | Stability & consistency |
💰 Monthly cash flow: $287 from $50k total investment
📈 One-year blended return: 11.2% vs SCHD’s solo 1.21%
Quarterly and monthly dividends stack perfectly. You get paid every month, with bonus quarters when the ETFs line up.
Why This Beats Following the Crowd
SCHD became default because of YouTube, Reddit, and social media hype. People blindly copy.
Real financial independence isn’t about popularity—it’s about customized portfolios matching your timeline, income needs, and risk tolerance.
Whether you’re:
Accumulating wealth 🏗️
Needing monthly retirement income 💵
Wanting both growth AND income 📊
This 4-ETF system crushes a single-SCHD strategy.
🔥 If you want to try this 4-ETF setup and take control of your dividend game, start investing with Moomoo today!
👉 Click here to buy ETFs with Moomoo
Hashtags to Make It Viral:
#DividendInvesting #PassiveIncome #ETFs2026 #FinancialFreedom #InvestSmart #MoomooInvesting #MoneyHacks #WealthBuilding #FinanceTips #InvestingMadeEasy
