FGD vs SCHD
First Trust Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index Fund vs Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF
Which is better, FGD or SCHD?
Each has led over a different period.
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. FGD led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, SCHD over the full window. FGD is less concentrated, with 16.6% 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 | FGD | SCHD |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.55% | 0.06%Best |
| AUM | $1.6B | $112.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 5.04% | 3.13% |
| Holdings | 212 | 103 |
| YTD Return | +19.88% | +27.56%Best |
| 1Y Return | +31.63%Best | +30.29% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +25.96%Best | +16.37% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.14%Best | +10.23% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.4% | 13.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -53.3% | -33.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,539Best | $16,274 |
| Top 10 Weight | 16.6%Best | 41.5% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Charles Schwab Asset Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Nov 21, 2007 | 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).
FGD 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.
FGD vs SCHD Performance
First Trust Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index Fund (FGD) 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 FGD returned +31.63% while SCHD returned +30.29%. Year to date, FGD is up 19.88% versus a gain of 27.56% for SCHD.
Over three years, FGD compounded at +25.96% per year against +16.37% for SCHD; over five years the annualized figures are +13.14% and +10.23% respectively. Across the full 15-year window we track, SCHD has the edge at +11.53% annualized vs +5.43%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FGD 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 -53.3% for FGD 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 0.80. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FGD charges 0.55% per year while SCHD charges 0.06%. On a $10,000 position that is $55 vs $6 annually, a gap of $49 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FGD currently yields 5.04% against 3.13% for SCHD.
Holdings Overlap
10.3% of FGD's money is in holdings SCHD also owns. 11.7% of SCHD's money is in holdings FGD also owns.
SCHD and FGD share little of their money.
9 positions in common, counted across the 99 positions we hold weights for in FGD and 100 in SCHD, against full books of 212 and 103.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 90 positions for SCHD that do not appear in our book for FGD (88.2% of the fund), and 12 for FGD that do not appear in SCHD (13.5%).
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.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in FGD | Weight in SCHD | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| VZVerizon Communic | 0.85% | 3.84% | 2.99% |
| MOAltria Group Inc | 1.02% | 2.86% | 1.84% |
| UPSUnited Parcel Service, Inc | 0.89% | 1.95% | 1.06% |
| RHIRobert Half Inc | 2.48% | 0.11% | 2.37% |
| FFord Motor Co | 0.77% | 1.37% | 0.60% |
| TROWT Rowe Price Grp | 1.10% | 0.61% | 0.49% |
| BBYBest Buy Co. Inc. | 1.20% | 0.40% | 0.80% |
| WUWestern Union | 1.25% | 0.06% | 1.19% |
| GISGeneral Mills In | 0.73% | 0.49% | 0.24% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FGD 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, FGD or SCHD?
FGD has an expense ratio of 0.55% while SCHD charges 0.06%. SCHD is the cheaper option, by $49 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FGD or SCHD?
Over the past year FGD returned +31.63% vs +30.29% for SCHD, so FGD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (15 years), FGD annualized +5.43% vs +11.53% for SCHD. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FGD or SCHD?
FGD has been the more volatile fund at 16.4% annualized versus 13.6% for SCHD. Worst drawdown: FGD -53.3% vs SCHD -33.4%.
Should I hold both FGD and SCHD?
FGD and SCHD have a monthly-return correlation of 0.80, 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 FGD and SCHD?
11.7% of SCHD's money is in holdings FGD also owns. 11.7% of SCHD's is in holdings FGD also owns. They hold 9 positions in common, counted across the 99 positions we hold weights for in FGD and 100 in SCHD.
Which pays a higher dividend, FGD or SCHD?
FGD yields 5.04% while SCHD yields 3.13%, so FGD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SCHD better than FGD?
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. FGD led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, SCHD over the full window. FGD is less concentrated, with 16.6% 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.