DFAT vs SCHD
Dimensional US Targeted Value ETF vs Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF
Which is better, DFAT or SCHD?
Small Cap Value against Large Cap Value.
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. DFAT led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, SCHD over 1Y. DFAT is less concentrated, with 6.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 41.8%.
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 | DFAT | SCHD |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.28% | 0.06%Best |
| AUM | $14.4B | $112.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.35% | 3.00% |
| Holdings | 1,234 | 103 |
| YTD Return | +15.27% | +23.60%Best |
| 1Y Return | +18.81% | +28.29%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.42%Best | +16.25% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.37%Best | +10.25% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.8% | 14.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -26.1% | -16.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,133Best | $16,289 |
| Top 10 Weight | 6.9%Best | 41.8% |
| Fund Family | Dimensional | Charles Schwab Asset Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Value | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Dec 11, 1998 | Oct 20, 2011 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 14, 2021 to Sep 21, 2026 (5.3 years).
DFAT 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 5.3 years both funds cover.
DFAT vs SCHD Performance
Dimensional US Targeted Value ETF (DFAT) is an ETF from Dimensional and Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) is an ETF from Charles Schwab Asset Management. Over the past year DFAT returned +18.81% while SCHD returned +28.29%. Year to date, DFAT is up 15.27% versus a gain of 23.60% for SCHD.
Over three years, DFAT compounded at +16.42% per year against +16.25% for SCHD; over five years the annualized figures are +11.37% and +10.25% respectively.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
DFAT has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.8% compared with 14.7% 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 -26.1% for DFAT and -16.9% 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 0.84. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DFAT charges 0.28% per year while SCHD charges 0.06%. On a $10,000 position that is $28 vs $6 annually, a gap of $22 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DFAT currently yields 1.35% against 3.00% for SCHD.
Holdings Overlap
6.0% of DFAT's money is in holdings SCHD also owns. 4.4% of SCHD's money is in holdings DFAT also owns.
DFAT and SCHD share little of their money.
42 positions in common, counted across the 1,191 positions we hold weights for in DFAT and 100 in SCHD, against full books of 1,234 and 103.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 58 positions for SCHD that do not appear in our book for DFAT (95.6% of the fund), and 873 for DFAT that do not appear in SCHD (89.9%).
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.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in DFAT | Weight in SCHD | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| DINOHF Sinclair Corp | 0.81% | 0.38% | 0.43% |
| APAApa Corp | 0.73% | 0.37% | 0.36% |
| EWBCEast West Bancorp, Inc. | 0.12% | 0.42% | 0.30% |
| COLBColumbia Banking System Inc Common Stock | 0.31% | 0.21% | 0.10% |
| FNFFidelity Nationa | 0.23% | 0.29% | 0.06% |
| ORIOld Republic International Corp | 0.28% | 0.23% | 0.05% |
| SWKSSkyworks Solutions Inc. | 0.23% | 0.25% | 0.02% |
| AFGAmerican Financial Group Inc/Oh | 0.19% | 0.24% | 0.05% |
| MMacy'S Inc. | 0.29% | 0.14% | 0.15% |
| PAGPenske Automotive Group Inc | 0.32% | 0.10% | 0.22% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of DFAT 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, DFAT or SCHD?
DFAT has an expense ratio of 0.28% while SCHD charges 0.06%. SCHD is the cheaper option, by $22 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DFAT or SCHD?
Over the past year DFAT returned +18.81% vs +28.29% 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, DFAT or SCHD?
DFAT has been the more volatile fund at 19.8% annualized versus 14.7% for SCHD. Worst drawdown: DFAT -26.1% vs SCHD -16.9%.
Should I hold both DFAT and SCHD?
DFAT and SCHD have a monthly-return correlation of 0.84, 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 DFAT and SCHD?
6.0% of DFAT's money is in holdings SCHD also owns. 4.4% of SCHD's is in holdings DFAT also owns. They hold 42 positions in common, counted across the 1,191 positions we hold weights for in DFAT and 100 in SCHD.
Which pays a higher dividend, DFAT or SCHD?
DFAT yields 1.35% while SCHD yields 3.00%, so SCHD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SCHD better than DFAT?
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. DFAT led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, SCHD over 1Y. DFAT is less concentrated, with 6.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 41.8%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.