FDLO vs SCHD
Fidelity Low Volatility Factor ETF vs Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF
Which is better, FDLO or SCHD?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. FDLO led over the full window, SCHD over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. FDLO is less concentrated, with 35.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 41.8%.
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 | FDLO | SCHD |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.15% | 0.06%Best |
| AUM | $1.4B | $112.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.34% | 3.00% |
| Holdings | 129 | 103 |
| YTD Return | +7.80% | +23.46%Best |
| 1Y Return | +10.27% | +27.20%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +14.02% | +15.41%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.65% | +10.16%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.4%Best | 15.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -34.7% | -33.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,851 | $16,223Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 35.9%Best | 41.8% |
| Fund Family | Fidelity Investments (US) | Charles Schwab Asset Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Sep 12, 2016 | Oct 20, 2011 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 15, 2016 to Sep 18, 2026 (10 years).
FDLO 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 10 years both funds cover.
FDLO vs SCHD Performance
Fidelity Low Volatility Factor ETF (FDLO) 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 FDLO returned +10.27% while SCHD returned +27.20%. Year to date, FDLO is up 7.80% versus a gain of 23.46% for SCHD.
Over three years, FDLO compounded at +14.02% per year against +15.41% for SCHD; over five years the annualized figures are +9.65% and +10.16% respectively. Across the full 10-year window we track, FDLO has the edge at +11.88% annualized vs +11.30%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SCHD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.3% compared with 13.4% for FDLO. 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 -34.7% for FDLO 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 0.87. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FDLO charges 0.15% per year while SCHD charges 0.06%. On a $10,000 position that is $15 vs $6 annually, a gap of $9 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FDLO currently yields 1.34% against 3.00% for SCHD.
Holdings Overlap
13.1% of FDLO's money is in holdings SCHD also owns. 62.8% of SCHD's money is in holdings FDLO also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
22 positions in common, counted across the 131 positions we hold weights for in FDLO and 100 in SCHD, against full books of 129 and 103.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 77 positions for SCHD that do not appear in our book for FDLO (37.1% of the fund), and 107 for FDLO that do not appear in SCHD (85.6%).
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.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in FDLO | Weight in SCHD | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| MRKMerck & Company Inc | 0.91% | 4.77% | 3.86% |
| AMGNAmgen Inc. | 0.69% | 4.70% | 4.01% |
| ABTAbbott Laboratories | 0.62% | 4.69% | 4.07% |
| CVXChevron Corp | 0.71% | 4.02% | 3.31% |
| TXNTexas Instrument Inc | 1.56% | 3.13% | 1.57% |
| UNHUnitedhealth Group Incorporated | 0.83% | 3.82% | 2.99% |
| HDHome Depot Inc/The | 0.62% | 3.88% | 3.26% |
| VZVerizon Communic | 0.50% | 3.97% | 3.47% |
| ACNAccenture Plc | 1.62% | 2.84% | 1.22% |
| PGProcter & Gamble Company | 0.61% | 3.83% | 3.22% |
62.8% of SCHD is already inside FDLO.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, FDLO or SCHD?
FDLO has an expense ratio of 0.15% while SCHD charges 0.06%. SCHD is the cheaper option, by $9 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FDLO or SCHD?
Over the past year FDLO returned +10.27% vs +27.20% for SCHD, so SCHD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (10 years), FDLO annualized +11.88% vs +11.30% for SCHD. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FDLO or SCHD?
SCHD has been the more volatile fund at 15.3% annualized versus 13.4% for FDLO. Worst drawdown: FDLO -34.7% vs SCHD -33.4%.
Should I hold both FDLO and SCHD?
FDLO and SCHD have a monthly-return correlation of 0.87, 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 FDLO and SCHD?
62.8% of SCHD's money is in holdings FDLO also owns. 62.8% of SCHD's is in holdings FDLO also owns. They hold 22 positions in common, counted across the 131 positions we hold weights for in FDLO and 100 in SCHD.
Which pays a higher dividend, FDLO or SCHD?
FDLO yields 1.34% while SCHD yields 3.00%, so SCHD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SCHD better than FDLO?
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. FDLO led over the full window, SCHD over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. FDLO is less concentrated, with 35.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 41.8%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.