FAS vs SCHD
Direxion Daily Financial Bull 3X ETF vs Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF
Which is better, FAS or SCHD?
Trading-Leveraged Equity against Large Cap Value.
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. FAS led over 3Y and the full window, SCHD over 1Y and 5Y.
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 | FAS | SCHD |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.88% | 0.06%Best |
| AUM | $2.1B | $119.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 8.89% | 2.96% |
| Holdings | 183 | 204 |
| YTD Return | +0.91% | +29.95%Best |
| 1Y Return | +14.85% | +37.26%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +46.89%Best | +19.10% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.08% | +9.87%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 50.9% | 13.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -86.0% | -33.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,433 | $16,010Best |
| Fund Family | Direxion Shares ETF Trust | Charles Schwab Asset Management |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Trading-Leveraged Equity | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Nov 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: Oct 20, 2011 to Nov 6, 2026 (15 years).
FAS 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 15 years both funds cover.
FAS vs SCHD Performance
Direxion Daily Financial Bull 3X ETF (FAS) is an ETF from Direxion Shares ETF Trust and Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) is an ETF from Charles Schwab Asset Management. Over the past year FAS returned +14.85% while SCHD returned +37.26%. Year to date, FAS is up 0.91% versus a gain of 29.95% for SCHD.
Over three years, FAS compounded at +46.89% per year against +19.10% for SCHD; over five years the annualized figures are +6.08% and +9.87% respectively. Across the full 15-year window we track, FAS has the edge at +27.35% annualized vs +11.52%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FAS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 50.9% compared with 13.9% 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 -86.0% for FAS 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 0.81. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FAS charges 0.88% per year while SCHD charges 0.06%. On a $10,000 position that is $88 vs $6 annually, a gap of $82 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FAS currently yields 8.89% against 2.96% for SCHD.
Holdings Overlap
At least 6.2% of SCHD's money is in holdings FAS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for FAS, our book for it covers 73.4% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
SCHD and FAS share little of their money.
8 positions in common, counted across the 77 positions we hold weights for in FAS and 98 in SCHD, against full books of 183 and 204.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in FAS | Weight in SCHD | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| BXBlackstone Group Inc. Class A | 0.74% | 1.99% | 1.25% |
| FITBFifth Third Bancorp | 0.41% | 1.12% | 0.71% |
| CINFCincinnati Financial Corp. | 0.23% | 0.64% | 0.41% |
| ARESAres Management Corp Common Stock | 0.23% | 0.63% | 0.40% |
| RFRegions Financia | 0.21% | 0.57% | 0.36% |
| TROWT Rowe Price Grp | 0.20% | 0.53% | 0.33% |
| PFGPrincipal Financial Group Inc. | 0.19% | 0.52% | 0.33% |
| ERIEErie Indemnity-a | 0.06% | 0.15% | 0.09% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FAS 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, FAS or SCHD?
FAS has an expense ratio of 0.88% while SCHD charges 0.06%. SCHD is the cheaper option, by $82 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FAS or SCHD?
Over the past year FAS returned +14.85% vs +37.26% for SCHD, so SCHD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (15 years), FAS annualized +27.35% vs +11.52% for SCHD. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FAS or SCHD?
FAS has been the more volatile fund at 50.9% annualized versus 13.9% for SCHD. Worst drawdown: FAS -86.0% vs SCHD -33.4%.
Should I hold both FAS and SCHD?
FAS and SCHD have a monthly-return correlation of 0.81, 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 FAS and SCHD?
At least 6.2% of SCHD's money is in holdings FAS also owns. Our book for FAS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 8 positions in common, counted across the 77 positions we hold weights for in FAS and 98 in SCHD.
Which pays a higher dividend, FAS or SCHD?
FAS yields 8.89% while SCHD yields 2.96%, so FAS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SCHD better than FAS?
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. FAS led over 3Y and the full window, SCHD over 1Y and 5Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.