DEFI vs SCHD

DEFI vs SCHD

Which is better, DEFI or SCHD?

Multi Alternative against Large Cap Value.

SCHD has a lower expense ratio. SCHD led over 1Y and the full window.

Lower Fees: SCHDHigher Returns: SCHD

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

MetricDEFISCHD
Expense Ratio0.25%0.06%Best
AUM$14M$112.1B
Dividend Yield0.00%3.00%
Holdings3103
Volatility (annualized)51.5%12.8%Best
Max Drawdown-53.2%-16.1%Best
$10,000 over 2.6 years$14,097$14,746Best
Fund FamilyHashdexCharles Schwab Asset Management
CategoryAlternativeEquity
StyleMulti AlternativeLarge Cap Value
InceptionSep 15, 2022Oct 20, 2011

Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.

The two price series end 24 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. DEFI has data through Aug 17, 2026 and SCHD through Sep 10, 2026.

Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.6 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 3, 2024 to Aug 17, 2026 (2.6 years).

Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns

DEFI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 51.5% compared with 12.8% 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 -53.2% for DEFI 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 0.08. They move largely independently of each other.

Fees and Cost Over Time

DEFI charges 0.25% per year while SCHD charges 0.06%. On a $10,000 position that is $25 vs $6 annually, a gap of $19 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DEFI currently yields 0.00% against 3.00% for SCHD.

You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.

Whichever of DEFI and SCHD you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.

DEFISCHD

Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper, DEFI or SCHD?

DEFI has an expense ratio of 0.25% while SCHD charges 0.06%. SCHD is the cheaper option, by $19 a year on a $10,000 investment.

Which is riskier, DEFI or SCHD?

DEFI has been the more volatile fund at 51.5% annualized versus 12.8% for SCHD. Worst drawdown: DEFI -53.2% vs SCHD -16.1%.

Should I hold both DEFI and SCHD?

DEFI and SCHD have a monthly-return correlation of 0.08, 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, DEFI or SCHD?

DEFI yields 0.00% while SCHD yields 3.00%, so SCHD currently pays the higher dividend yield.

Is SCHD better than DEFI?

SCHD has a lower expense ratio. SCHD led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.