BUFQ vs SCHD
FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF vs Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF
Which is better, BUFQ or SCHD?
Multi Alternative against Large Cap Value.
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. BUFQ led over 3Y and the full window, SCHD over 1Y.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | BUFQ | SCHD |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.00% | 0.06%Best |
| AUM | $1.6B | $112.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 3.00% |
| Holdings | 10 | 103 |
| YTD Return | +11.76% | +23.46%Best |
| 1Y Return | +15.30% | +27.20%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.18%Best | +15.41% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +10.16% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 11.5%Best | 14.6% |
| Max Drawdown | -15.7%Best | -16.1% |
| $10,000 over 4.3 years | $20,382Best | $16,817 |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Charles Schwab Asset Management |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jun 15, 2022 | Oct 20, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4.3 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 16, 2022 to Sep 18, 2026 (4.3 years).
BUFQ vs SCHD growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 4.3 years both funds cover.
BUFQ vs SCHD Performance
FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF (BUFQ) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) is an ETF from Charles Schwab Asset Management. Over the past year BUFQ returned +15.30% while SCHD returned +27.20%. Year to date, BUFQ is up 11.76% versus a gain of 23.46% for SCHD.
Over three years, BUFQ compounded at +16.18% per year against +15.41% for SCHD. Across the full 4-year window we track, BUFQ has the edge at +18.01% annualized vs +12.85%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SCHD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.6% compared with 11.5% for BUFQ. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -15.7% for BUFQ and -16.1% for SCHD. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.42. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BUFQ charges 1.00% per year while SCHD charges 0.06%. On a $10,000 position that is $100 vs $6 annually, a gap of $94 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BUFQ currently yields 0.00% against 3.00% for SCHD.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 4 holdings in BUFQ and 100 in SCHD, totalling 100.0% and 100.0% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 4 positions we hold weights for in BUFQ and 100 in SCHD, against full books of 10 and 103.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BUFQ and SCHD you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, BUFQ or SCHD?
BUFQ has an expense ratio of 1.00% while SCHD charges 0.06%. SCHD is the cheaper option, by $94 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BUFQ or SCHD?
Over the past year BUFQ returned +15.30% vs +27.20% for SCHD, so SCHD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (4 years), BUFQ annualized +18.01% vs +12.85% for SCHD. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BUFQ or SCHD?
SCHD has been the more volatile fund at 14.6% annualized versus 11.5% for BUFQ. Worst drawdown: BUFQ -15.7% vs SCHD -16.1%.
Should I hold both BUFQ and SCHD?
BUFQ and SCHD have a monthly-return correlation of 0.42, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, BUFQ or SCHD?
BUFQ yields 0.00% while SCHD yields 3.00%, so SCHD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SCHD better than BUFQ?
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. BUFQ led over 3Y and the full window, SCHD over 1Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.