FFEM vs SCHD
Fidelity Fundamental Emerging Markets ETF vs Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF
Which is better, FFEM or SCHD?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Value.
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. FFEM led over 1Y and the full window. SCHD is less concentrated, with 41.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 52.2%.
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 | FFEM | SCHD |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.60% | 0.06%Best |
| AUM | $62M | $112.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.26% | 3.13% |
| Holdings | 125 | 103 |
| YTD Return | +25.07% | +27.56%Best |
| 1Y Return | +47.60%Best | +30.29% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +16.37% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +10.23% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.6% | 13.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -16.3% | -16.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.8 years | $17,651Best | $12,830 |
| Top 10 Weight | 52.2% | 41.5%Best |
| Fund Family | Fidelity Investments (US) | Charles Schwab Asset Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Nov 19, 2024 | Oct 20, 2011 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.8 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 21, 2024 to Sep 4, 2026 (1.8 years).
FFEM 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 1.8 years both funds cover.
FFEM vs SCHD Performance
Fidelity Fundamental Emerging Markets ETF (FFEM) 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 FFEM returned +47.60% while SCHD returned +30.29%. Year to date, FFEM is up 25.07% versus a gain of 27.56% for SCHD.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FFEM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.6% 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 -16.3% for FFEM and -16.1% 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 0.37. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FFEM charges 0.60% per year while SCHD charges 0.06%. On a $10,000 position that is $60 vs $6 annually, a gap of $54 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FFEM currently yields 1.26% against 3.13% for SCHD.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 106 holdings in FFEM and 100 in SCHD, totalling 98.5% 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 106 positions we hold weights for in FFEM and 100 in SCHD, against full books of 125 and 103.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 99 positions for SCHD that do not appear in our book for FFEM (99.9% of the fund), and 9 for FFEM that do not appear in SCHD (4.5%).
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 FFEM 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, FFEM or SCHD?
FFEM has an expense ratio of 0.60% while SCHD charges 0.06%. SCHD is the cheaper option, by $54 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FFEM or SCHD?
Over the past year FFEM returned +47.60% vs +30.29% for SCHD, so FFEM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), FFEM annualized +37.12% vs +14.85% for SCHD. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FFEM or SCHD?
FFEM has been the more volatile fund at 17.6% annualized versus 13.9% for SCHD. Worst drawdown: FFEM -16.3% vs SCHD -16.1%.
Should I hold both FFEM and SCHD?
FFEM and SCHD have a monthly-return correlation of 0.37, 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, FFEM or SCHD?
FFEM yields 1.26% while SCHD yields 3.13%, so SCHD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SCHD better than FFEM?
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. FFEM led over 1Y and the full window. SCHD is less concentrated, with 41.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 52.2%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.