DFAX vs SCHD
Dimensional World ex US Core Equity 2 ETF vs Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF
Which is better, DFAX or SCHD?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. DFAX led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, SCHD over 1Y.
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 | DFAX | SCHD |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.28% | 0.06%Best |
| AUM | $12.6B | $112.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.24% | 3.00% |
| Holdings | 10,538 | 103 |
| YTD Return | +16.01% | +23.68%Best |
| 1Y Return | +23.63% | +28.36%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.85%Best | +16.20% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.79%Best | +10.07% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.2% | 14.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -28.1% | -16.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,692Best | $16,156 |
| Fund Family | Dimensional | Charles Schwab Asset Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Mar 6, 2008 | Oct 20, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 13, 2021 to Sep 22, 2026 (5 years).
DFAX 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 years both funds cover.
DFAX vs SCHD Performance
Dimensional World ex US Core Equity 2 ETF (DFAX) is an ETF from Dimensional and Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) is an ETF from Charles Schwab Asset Management. Over the past year DFAX returned +23.63% while SCHD returned +28.36%. Year to date, DFAX is up 16.01% versus a gain of 23.68% for SCHD.
Over three years, DFAX compounded at +21.85% per year against +16.20% for SCHD; over five years the annualized figures are +10.79% and +10.07% respectively.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
DFAX has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.2% compared with 14.9% 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 -28.1% for DFAX 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 0.74. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DFAX 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, DFAX currently yields 2.24% against 3.00% for SCHD.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 10,172 holdings in DFAX and 100 in SCHD, totalling 86.7% and 100.0% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 10,172 positions we hold weights for in DFAX and 100 in SCHD, against full books of 10,538 and 103.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of DFAX 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, DFAX or SCHD?
DFAX 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, DFAX or SCHD?
Over the past year DFAX returned +23.63% vs +28.36% 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, DFAX or SCHD?
DFAX has been the more volatile fund at 15.2% annualized versus 14.9% for SCHD. Worst drawdown: DFAX -28.1% vs SCHD -16.9%.
Should I hold both DFAX and SCHD?
DFAX and SCHD have a monthly-return correlation of 0.74, 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, DFAX or SCHD?
DFAX yields 2.24% while SCHD yields 3.00%, so SCHD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SCHD better than DFAX?
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. DFAX led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, SCHD over 1Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.