Updated Reviewed quarterly
ESG vs SCHD: ETF Comparison
ESG · Smartshares
TER 0.54% · Yield 0.0%
SCHD · Schwab
TER 0.06% · Yield —
ESG is a NZX-listed PIE fund (capped at 28% PIR, FIF-exempt). SCHD is US-listed and triggers FIF tax once your overseas-share holdings exceed NZ$50,000 cost-basis, plus 15% US withholding tax on dividends. The trade-off is headline TER (SCHD often cheaper) vs NZ tax simplicity (ESG cleaner).
In 30 seconds: ESG (Smartshares Global Sustainability Leaders ETF, Smartshares) trades on the NZX at 0.54% TER. SCHD (Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF, Schwab) trades on the NYSE Arca at 0.06% TER. ESG is a NZX-listed PIE fund (capped at 28% PIR, FIF-exempt). SCHD is US-listed and triggers FIF tax once your overseas-share holdings exceed NZ$50,000 cost-basis, plus 15% US withholding tax on dividends. The trade-off is headline TER (SCHD often cheaper) vs NZ tax simplicity (ESG cleaner).
- ESG: Smartshares Global Sustainability Leaders ETF — 0.54% TER, PIE (max 28% PIR)
- SCHD: Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF — 0.06% TER, FIF above NZ$50K
- ESG yield: 0.0% (None)
- SCHD yield: not currently published
- Cheaper TER: SCHD
Head-to-head comparison
| Feature | ESG | SCHD |
|---|---|---|
| Fund | Smartshares Global Sustainability Leaders ETF | Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF |
| Issuer | Smartshares | Schwab |
| Exchange | NZX | NYSE Arca |
| Total expense ratio | 0.54% | 0.06% |
| Dividend yield (TTM) | 0.0% | — |
| Distribution frequency | None | Quarterly |
| NZ tax wrapper | PIE (max 28% PIR) | FIF above NZ$50K |
Where to buy
ESG trades on the NZX — buy via any NZX broker (Sharesies, InvestNow, Invest Direct, ASB Securities). SCHD trades on the NYSE Arca — buy via Hatch, Stake, Sharesies, Tiger and Interactive Brokers. See all 11 NZ investment platforms compared.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between ESG and SCHD?▾
ESG (Smartshares Global Sustainability Leaders ETF) charges 0.54% TER vs SCHD (Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF) at 0.06%. ESG is from Smartshares; SCHD is from Schwab. ESG is a NZX-listed PIE fund (capped at 28% PIR, FIF-exempt). SCHD is US-listed and triggers FIF tax once your overseas-share holdings exceed NZ$50,000 cost-basis, plus 15% US withholding tax on dividends. The trade-off is headline TER (SCHD often cheaper) vs NZ tax simplicity (ESG cleaner).
Which has the lower fee, ESG or SCHD?▾
SCHD is cheaper at 0.06% TER vs ESG at 0.54% — a gap of 0.48 percentage points.
Which yields more, ESG or SCHD?▾
Yield data for at least one fund is not currently published — check the issuer fact sheet for the latest trailing 12-month yield. Headline yield is gross; after-tax outcome depends on your tax wrapper (PIE (max 28% PIR) for ESG, FIF above NZ$50K for SCHD).
Can NZ residents buy both ESG and SCHD?▾
Yes. ESG is available via any NZX broker (Sharesies, InvestNow, Invest Direct, ASB Securities). SCHD is available via Hatch, Stake, Sharesies, Tiger and Interactive Brokers.
How does NZ tax differ between ESG and SCHD?▾
ESG is PIE (max 28% PIR). SCHD is FIF above NZ$50K. The PIE-wrapped fund is simpler — no FIF return, no US withholding, capped at 28% PIR. See /tax/pie-vs-fif/ for the full mechanics.
Explore with AI
Ask an AI assistant about this page
Open a fresh session with your prompt pre-filled and this page's link attached — the assistant reads the page and answers with it as a source.
Prefer Google?Add etfs.co.nz as a preferred source →
