DFAU vs SCHD
Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF vs Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF
Which is better, DFAU or SCHD?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. DFAU led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, SCHD over 1Y. DFAU is less concentrated, with 34.1% 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 | DFAU | SCHD |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.12% | 0.06%Best |
| AUM | $12.7B | $112.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.91% | 3.00% |
| Holdings | 2,124 | 103 |
| YTD Return | +12.03% | +24.59%Best |
| 1Y Return | +17.80% | +28.14%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.08%Best | +15.58% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.35%Best | +9.90% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.0% | 14.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -23.6% | -16.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,901Best | $16,032 |
| Top 10 Weight | 34.1%Best | 41.8% |
| Fund Family | Dimensional | Charles Schwab Asset Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Nov 17, 2020 | Oct 20, 2011 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 18, 2020 to Sep 10, 2026 (5.8 years).
DFAU 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 5.8 years both funds cover.
DFAU vs SCHD Performance
Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF (DFAU) is an ETF from Dimensional and Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) is an ETF from Charles Schwab Asset Management. Over the past year DFAU returned +17.80% while SCHD returned +28.14%. Year to date, DFAU is up 12.03% versus a gain of 24.59% for SCHD.
Over three years, DFAU compounded at +20.08% per year against +15.58% for SCHD; over five years the annualized figures are +12.35% and +9.90% respectively. Across the full 6-year window we track, DFAU has the edge at +15.07% annualized vs +12.58%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
DFAU has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.0% compared with 14.5% 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 -23.6% for DFAU 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 0.75. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DFAU charges 0.12% per year while SCHD charges 0.06%. On a $10,000 position that is $12 vs $6 annually, a gap of $6 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DFAU currently yields 0.91% against 3.00% for SCHD.
Holdings Overlap
7.7% of DFAU's money is in holdings SCHD also owns. 99.8% of SCHD's money is in holdings DFAU also owns.
Most of SCHD is already inside DFAU. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
95 positions in common, counted across the 2,177 positions we hold weights for in DFAU and 100 in SCHD, against full books of 2,124 and 103.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 5 positions for SCHD that do not appear in our book for DFAU (0.2% of the fund), and 1,084 for DFAU that do not appear in SCHD (90.5%).
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 DFAU | Weight in SCHD | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| MRKMerck & Co. Inc. | 0.48% | 4.77% | 4.29% |
| AMGNAmgen Inc. | 0.32% | 4.70% | 4.38% |
| ABTAbbott Laboratories | 0.20% | 4.69% | 4.49% |
| KOCoca Cola Co. | 0.44% | 4.17% | 3.73% |
| CVXChevron Corp. | 0.42% | 4.02% | 3.60% |
| HDHome Depot Inc/The | 0.48% | 3.88% | 3.40% |
| PGProcter & Gamble Company | 0.48% | 3.83% | 3.35% |
| VZVerizon Communications, Inc. | 0.33% | 3.97% | 3.64% |
| UNHUnitedhealth Group Inc. | 0.40% | 3.82% | 3.42% |
| COPConocophillips Co | 0.22% | 3.94% | 3.72% |
99.8% of SCHD is already inside DFAU.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, DFAU or SCHD?
DFAU has an expense ratio of 0.12% while SCHD charges 0.06%. SCHD is the cheaper option, by $6 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DFAU or SCHD?
Over the past year DFAU returned +17.80% vs +28.14% for SCHD, so SCHD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (6 years), DFAU annualized +15.07% vs +12.58% for SCHD. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DFAU or SCHD?
DFAU has been the more volatile fund at 15.0% annualized versus 14.5% for SCHD. Worst drawdown: DFAU -23.6% vs SCHD -16.9%.
Should I hold both DFAU and SCHD?
DFAU and SCHD have a monthly-return correlation of 0.75, 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 DFAU and SCHD?
99.8% of SCHD's money is in holdings DFAU also owns. 99.8% of SCHD's is in holdings DFAU also owns. They hold 95 positions in common, counted across the 2,177 positions we hold weights for in DFAU and 100 in SCHD.
Which pays a higher dividend, DFAU or SCHD?
DFAU yields 0.91% while SCHD yields 3.00%, so SCHD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SCHD better than DFAU?
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. DFAU led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, SCHD over 1Y. DFAU is less concentrated, with 34.1% 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.