COWS vs SCHD
Amplify Cash Flow Dividend Leaders ETF vs Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF
Which is better, COWS or SCHD?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. COWS led over 3Y and the full window, SCHD over 1Y. COWS is less concentrated, with 32.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 41.5%.
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 | COWS | SCHD |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.19% | 0.06%Best |
| AUM | $44M | $112.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.53% | 3.13% |
| Holdings | 42 | 103 |
| YTD Return | +20.62% | +27.56%Best |
| 1Y Return | +26.60% | +30.29%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +19.57%Best | +16.37% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +10.23% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.7% | 13.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -24.8% | -16.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 3 years | $17,095Best | $15,910 |
| Top 10 Weight | 32.8%Best | 41.5% |
| Fund Family | Amplify ETFs | Charles Schwab Asset Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Sep 13, 2023 | Oct 20, 2011 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 13, 2023 to Sep 4, 2026 (3 years).
COWS 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 3 years both funds cover.
COWS vs SCHD Performance
Amplify Cash Flow Dividend Leaders ETF (COWS) is an ETF from Amplify ETFs and Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) is an ETF from Charles Schwab Asset Management. Over the past year COWS returned +26.60% while SCHD returned +30.29%. Year to date, COWS is up 20.62% versus a gain of 27.56% for SCHD.
Over three years, COWS compounded at +19.57% per year against +16.37% for SCHD.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
COWS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.7% compared with 13.1% for SCHD. 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 -24.8% for COWS 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 0.82. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
COWS charges 0.19% per year while SCHD charges 0.06%. On a $10,000 position that is $19 vs $6 annually, a gap of $13 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, COWS currently yields 1.53% against 3.13% for SCHD.
Holdings Overlap
3.1% of COWS's money is in holdings SCHD also owns. 2.9% of SCHD's money is in holdings COWS also owns.
COWS and SCHD share little of their money.
2 positions in common, counted across the 41 positions we hold weights for in COWS and 100 in SCHD, against full books of 42 and 103.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 41 and 100 positions we hold weights for.
SCHD holds 97 positions COWS does not, 97.0% of the fund.
Largest: ABT 4.70%, AMGN 4.62%, HD 4.32%, MRK 4.26%, KO 4.20%
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of COWS 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, COWS or SCHD?
COWS has an expense ratio of 0.19% while SCHD charges 0.06%. SCHD is the cheaper option, by $13 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, COWS or SCHD?
Over the past year COWS returned +26.60% vs +30.29% for SCHD, so SCHD leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, COWS or SCHD?
COWS has been the more volatile fund at 15.7% annualized versus 13.1% for SCHD. Worst drawdown: COWS -24.8% vs SCHD -16.1%.
Should I hold both COWS and SCHD?
COWS and SCHD have a monthly-return correlation of 0.82, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between COWS and SCHD?
3.1% of COWS's money is in holdings SCHD also owns. 2.9% of SCHD's is in holdings COWS also owns. They hold 2 positions in common, counted across the 41 positions we hold weights for in COWS and 100 in SCHD.
Which pays a higher dividend, COWS or SCHD?
COWS yields 1.53% while SCHD yields 3.13%, so SCHD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SCHD better than COWS?
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. COWS led over 3Y and the full window, SCHD over 1Y. COWS is less concentrated, with 32.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 41.5%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.