FDT vs SCHD
First Trust Developed Markets Ex-US AlphaDEX Fund vs Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF
Which is better, FDT or SCHD?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. FDT led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, SCHD over the full window. FDT is less concentrated, with 8.6% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 41.5%.
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 | FDT | SCHD |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.80% | 0.06%Best |
| AUM | $1.3B | $112.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.88% | 3.13% |
| Holdings | 625 | 103 |
| YTD Return | +23.30% | +27.56%Best |
| 1Y Return | +38.10%Best | +30.29% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +27.80%Best | +16.37% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.67%Best | +10.23% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.4% | 13.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -48.6% | -33.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,157Best | $16,274 |
| Top 10 Weight | 8.6%Best | 41.5% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Charles Schwab Asset Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Apr 18, 2011 | Oct 20, 2011 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 20, 2011 to Sep 4, 2026 (14.9 years).
FDT 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.
FDT vs SCHD Performance
First Trust Developed Markets Ex-US AlphaDEX Fund (FDT) 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 FDT returned +38.10% while SCHD returned +30.29%. Year to date, FDT is up 23.30% versus a gain of 27.56% for SCHD.
Over three years, FDT compounded at +27.80% per year against +16.37% for SCHD; over five years the annualized figures are +12.67% and +10.23% respectively. Across the full 15-year window we track, SCHD has the edge at +11.53% annualized vs +7.69%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FDT has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.4% compared with 13.6% 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 -48.6% for FDT 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 0.75. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FDT charges 0.80% per year while SCHD charges 0.06%. On a $10,000 position that is $80 vs $6 annually, a gap of $74 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FDT currently yields 2.88% against 3.13% for SCHD.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 299 holdings in FDT and 100 in SCHD, totalling 99.7% and 100.0% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 299 positions we hold weights for in FDT and 100 in SCHD, against full books of 625 and 103.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 99 positions for SCHD that do not appear in our book for FDT (99.9% of the fund), and 6 for FDT that do not appear in SCHD (1.9%).
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 FDT 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, FDT or SCHD?
FDT has an expense ratio of 0.80% while SCHD charges 0.06%. SCHD is the cheaper option, by $74 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FDT or SCHD?
Over the past year FDT returned +38.10% vs +30.29% for SCHD, so FDT leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (15 years), FDT annualized +7.69% vs +11.53% for SCHD. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FDT or SCHD?
FDT has been the more volatile fund at 16.4% annualized versus 13.6% for SCHD. Worst drawdown: FDT -48.6% vs SCHD -33.4%.
Should I hold both FDT and SCHD?
FDT and SCHD have a monthly-return correlation of 0.75, 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, FDT or SCHD?
FDT yields 2.88% while SCHD yields 3.13%, so SCHD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SCHD better than FDT?
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. FDT led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, SCHD over the full window. FDT is less concentrated, with 8.6% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 41.5%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.