DEEP vs SCHD
Acquirers Small and Micro Deep Value ETF vs Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF
Which is better, DEEP or SCHD?
Small Cap Value against Large Cap Value.
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. SCHD led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. DEEP is less concentrated, with 13.0% 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 | DEEP | SCHD |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.80% | 0.06%Best |
| AUM | $28M | $112.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.91% | 3.13% |
| Holdings | 101 | 103 |
| YTD Return | +24.22% | +27.56%Best |
| 1Y Return | +24.49% | +30.29%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +11.31% | +16.37%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.21% | +10.23%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 21.9% | 14.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -56.4% | -33.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,515 | $16,274Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 13.0%Best | 41.5% |
| Fund Family | Acquirers Funds, LLC | Charles Schwab Asset Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Value | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Sep 23, 2014 | Oct 20, 2011 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 23, 2014 to Sep 4, 2026 (11.9 years).
DEEP 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 11.9 years both funds cover.
DEEP vs SCHD Performance
Acquirers Small and Micro Deep Value ETF (DEEP) is an ETF from Acquirers Funds, LLC and Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) is an ETF from Charles Schwab Asset Management. Over the past year DEEP returned +24.49% while SCHD returned +30.29%. Year to date, DEEP is up 24.22% versus a gain of 27.56% for SCHD.
Over three years, DEEP compounded at +11.31% per year against +16.37% for SCHD; over five years the annualized figures are +6.21% and +10.23% respectively. Across the full 12-year window we track, SCHD has the edge at +10.43% annualized vs +5.72%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
DEEP has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 21.9% compared with 14.6% 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 -56.4% for DEEP and -33.4% 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 0.80. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DEEP charges 0.80% per year while SCHD charges 0.06%. On a $10,000 position that is $80 vs $6 annually, a gap of $74 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DEEP currently yields 1.91% against 3.13% for SCHD.
Holdings Overlap
4.9% of DEEP's money is in holdings SCHD also owns. 0.1% of SCHD's money is in holdings DEEP also owns.
DEEP and SCHD share little of their money.
5 positions in common, counted across the 101 positions we hold weights for in DEEP and 100 in SCHD, against full books of 101 and 103.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 94 positions for SCHD that do not appear in our book for DEEP (99.8% of the fund), and 85 for DEEP that do not appear in SCHD (85.2%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of DEEP 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, DEEP or SCHD?
DEEP has an expense ratio of 0.80% while SCHD charges 0.06%. SCHD is the cheaper option, by $74 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DEEP or SCHD?
Over the past year DEEP returned +24.49% vs +30.29% for SCHD, so SCHD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (12 years), DEEP annualized +5.72% vs +10.43% for SCHD. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DEEP or SCHD?
DEEP has been the more volatile fund at 21.9% annualized versus 14.6% for SCHD. Worst drawdown: DEEP -56.4% vs SCHD -33.4%.
Should I hold both DEEP and SCHD?
DEEP and SCHD have a monthly-return correlation of 0.80, 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 DEEP and SCHD?
4.9% of DEEP's money is in holdings SCHD also owns. 0.1% of SCHD's is in holdings DEEP also owns. They hold 5 positions in common, counted across the 101 positions we hold weights for in DEEP and 100 in SCHD.
Which pays a higher dividend, DEEP or SCHD?
DEEP yields 1.91% while SCHD yields 3.13%, so SCHD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SCHD better than DEEP?
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. SCHD led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. DEEP is less concentrated, with 13.0% 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.