DFII vs SCHD
FT Vest Bitcoin Strategy & Target Income ETF vs Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF
Which is better, DFII or SCHD?
Option Writing against Large Cap Value.
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. SCHD led over 1Y and the full window.
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 | DFII | SCHD |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.85% | 0.06%Best |
| AUM | $20M | $112.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 21.96% | 3.00% |
| Holdings | 8 | 103 |
| YTD Return | -7.45% | +23.60%Best |
| 1Y Return | -25.85% | +28.29%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +16.25% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +10.25% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 38.8% | 12.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -51.0% | -9.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.5 years | $9,957 | $13,289Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Charles Schwab Asset Management |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Option Writing | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Apr 2, 2025 | Oct 20, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.5 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 3, 2025 to Sep 21, 2026 (1.5 years).
DFII 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 1.5 years both funds cover.
DFII vs SCHD Performance
FT Vest Bitcoin Strategy & Target Income ETF (DFII) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) is an ETF from Charles Schwab Asset Management. Over the past year DFII returned -25.85% while SCHD returned +28.29%. Year to date, DFII is down 7.45% versus a gain of 23.60% for SCHD.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
DFII has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 38.8% compared with 12.2% 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 -51.0% for DFII and -9.0% 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 -0.10. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DFII charges 0.85% per year while SCHD charges 0.06%. On a $10,000 position that is $85 vs $6 annually, a gap of $79 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DFII currently yields 21.96% against 3.00% for SCHD.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of DFII 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, DFII or SCHD?
DFII has an expense ratio of 0.85% while SCHD charges 0.06%. SCHD is the cheaper option, by $79 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DFII or SCHD?
Over the past year DFII returned -25.85% vs +28.29% for SCHD, so SCHD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), DFII annualized -0.29% vs +20.87% for SCHD. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DFII or SCHD?
DFII has been the more volatile fund at 38.8% annualized versus 12.2% for SCHD. Worst drawdown: DFII -51.0% vs SCHD -9.0%.
Should I hold both DFII and SCHD?
DFII and SCHD have a monthly-return correlation of -0.10, 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, DFII or SCHD?
DFII yields 21.96% while SCHD yields 3.00%, so DFII currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SCHD better than DFII?
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.