EFR vs SCHD
Eaton Vance Senior Floating-Rate Trust vs Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF
Which is better, EFR or SCHD?
Bank Loan against Large Cap Value.
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. SCHD led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y 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 | EFR | SCHD |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 5.17% | 0.06%Best |
| AUM | $374M | $112.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 7.72% | 3.13% |
| Holdings | 511 | 103 |
| YTD Return | -0.49% | +27.56%Best |
| 1Y Return | -2.52% | +30.29%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +4.45% | +16.37%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +2.96% | +10.23%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 11.6%Best | 13.6% |
| Max Drawdown | -55.1% | -33.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $11,570 | $16,274Best |
| Fund Family | Eaton Vance | Charles Schwab Asset Management |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Bank Loan | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Nov 24, 2003 | Oct 20, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 20, 2011 to Sep 4, 2026 (14.9 years).
EFR 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 14.9 years both funds cover.
EFR vs SCHD Performance
Eaton Vance Senior Floating-Rate Trust (EFR) is an ETF from Eaton Vance and Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) is an ETF from Charles Schwab Asset Management. Over the past year EFR returned -2.52% while SCHD returned +30.29%. Year to date, EFR is down 0.49% versus a gain of 27.56% for SCHD.
Over three years, EFR compounded at +4.45% per year against +16.37% for SCHD; over five years the annualized figures are +2.96% and +10.23% respectively. Across the full 15-year window we track, SCHD has the edge at +11.53% annualized vs +1.34%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SCHD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.6% compared with 11.6% for EFR. 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 -55.1% for EFR and -33.4% 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 0.49. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
EFR charges 5.17% per year while SCHD charges 0.06%. On a $10,000 position that is $517 vs $6 annually, a gap of $511 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, EFR currently yields 7.72% against 3.13% for SCHD.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 180 holdings in EFR and 100 in SCHD, totalling 64.2% and 100.0% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
The two holdings books were reported 280 days apart, EFR as of Oct 31, 2025 and SCHD as of Aug 7, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
0 positions in common, counted across the 180 positions we hold weights for in EFR and 100 in SCHD, against full books of 511 and 103.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of EFR 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, EFR or SCHD?
EFR has an expense ratio of 5.17% while SCHD charges 0.06%. SCHD is the cheaper option, by $511 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, EFR or SCHD?
Over the past year EFR returned -2.52% vs +30.29% for SCHD, so SCHD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (15 years), EFR annualized +1.34% vs +11.53% for SCHD. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, EFR or SCHD?
SCHD has been the more volatile fund at 13.6% annualized versus 11.6% for EFR. Worst drawdown: EFR -55.1% vs SCHD -33.4%.
Should I hold both EFR and SCHD?
EFR and SCHD have a monthly-return correlation of 0.49, 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, EFR or SCHD?
EFR yields 7.72% while SCHD yields 3.13%, so EFR currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SCHD better than EFR?
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. SCHD led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.