FCOM vs SCHD
Fidelity MSCI Communication Services Index ETF vs Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF
Which is better, FCOM or SCHD?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Value.
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. FCOM led over 3Y, SCHD over 1Y, 5Y and the full window. SCHD is less concentrated, with 41.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 71.3%.
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 | FCOM | SCHD |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.08% | 0.06%Best |
| AUM | $1.7B | $112.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.99% | 3.00% |
| Holdings | 92 | 103 |
| YTD Return | -1.60% | +23.46%Best |
| 1Y Return | -0.51% | +27.20%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.58%Best | +15.41% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.64% | +10.16%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.0% | 14.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -46.8% | -33.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,791 | $16,223Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 71.3% | 41.8%Best |
| Fund Family | Fidelity Investments (US) | Charles Schwab Asset Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Oct 21, 2013 | Oct 20, 2011 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 24, 2013 to Sep 18, 2026 (12.9 years).
FCOM 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 12.9 years both funds cover.
FCOM vs SCHD Performance
Fidelity MSCI Communication Services Index ETF (FCOM) is an ETF from Fidelity Investments (US) and Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) is an ETF from Charles Schwab Asset Management. Over the past year FCOM returned -0.51% while SCHD returned +27.20%. Year to date, FCOM is down 1.60% versus a gain of 23.46% for SCHD.
Over three years, FCOM compounded at +21.58% per year against +15.41% for SCHD; over five years the annualized figures are +6.64% and +10.16% respectively. Across the full 13-year window we track, SCHD has the edge at +10.22% annualized vs +8.82%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FCOM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.0% compared with 14.3% 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 -46.8% for FCOM 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 0.67. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FCOM charges 0.08% per year while SCHD charges 0.06%. On a $10,000 position that is $8 vs $6 annually, a gap of $2 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FCOM currently yields 0.99% against 3.00% for SCHD.
Holdings Overlap
8.3% of FCOM's money is in holdings SCHD also owns. 6.4% of SCHD's money is in holdings FCOM also owns.
FCOM and SCHD share little of their money.
3 positions in common, counted across the 86 positions we hold weights for in FCOM and 100 in SCHD, against full books of 92 and 103.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 96 positions for SCHD that do not appear in our book for FCOM (93.5% of the fund), and 77 for FCOM that do not appear in SCHD (90.4%).
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.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FCOM 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, FCOM or SCHD?
FCOM has an expense ratio of 0.08% while SCHD charges 0.06%. SCHD is the cheaper option, by $2 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FCOM or SCHD?
Over the past year FCOM returned -0.51% vs +27.20% for SCHD, so SCHD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (13 years), FCOM annualized +8.82% vs +10.22% for SCHD. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FCOM or SCHD?
FCOM has been the more volatile fund at 17.0% annualized versus 14.3% for SCHD. Worst drawdown: FCOM -46.8% vs SCHD -33.4%.
Should I hold both FCOM and SCHD?
FCOM and SCHD have a monthly-return correlation of 0.67, 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 FCOM and SCHD?
8.3% of FCOM's money is in holdings SCHD also owns. 6.4% of SCHD's is in holdings FCOM also owns. They hold 3 positions in common, counted across the 86 positions we hold weights for in FCOM and 100 in SCHD.
Which pays a higher dividend, FCOM or SCHD?
FCOM yields 0.99% while SCHD yields 3.00%, so SCHD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SCHD better than FCOM?
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. FCOM led over 3Y, SCHD over 1Y, 5Y and the full window. SCHD is less concentrated, with 41.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 71.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.