FGM vs SCHD
First Trust Germany AlphaDEX Fund vs Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF
Which is better, FGM or SCHD?
Mid Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. FGM led over 3Y, SCHD over 1Y, 5Y and the full window. FGM is less concentrated, with 40.1% 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 | FGM | SCHD |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.80% | 0.06%Best |
| AUM | $100M | $112.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.40% | 3.13% |
| Holdings | 84 | 103 |
| YTD Return | +2.61% | +27.56%Best |
| 1Y Return | +15.59% | +30.29%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.79%Best | +16.37% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +4.40% | +10.23%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.8% | 13.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -53.6% | -33.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $12,402 | $16,274Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 40.1%Best | 41.5% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Charles Schwab Asset Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Feb 14, 2012 | Oct 20, 2011 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 17, 2012 to Sep 4, 2026 (14.5 years).
FGM 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 14.5 years both funds cover.
FGM vs SCHD Performance
First Trust Germany AlphaDEX Fund (FGM) 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 FGM returned +15.59% while SCHD returned +30.29%. Year to date, FGM is up 2.61% versus a gain of 27.56% for SCHD.
Over three years, FGM compounded at +21.79% per year against +16.37% for SCHD; over five years the annualized figures are +4.40% and +10.23% respectively. Across the full 15-year window we track, SCHD has the edge at +11.12% annualized vs +6.21%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FGM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.8% compared with 13.8% 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 -53.6% for FGM 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 0.70. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FGM 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, FGM currently yields 1.40% against 3.13% for SCHD.
Holdings Overlap
1.6% of FGM's money is in holdings SCHD also owns. 4.3% of SCHD's money is in holdings FGM also owns.
SCHD and FGM share little of their money.
1 positions in common, counted across the 40 positions we hold weights for in FGM and 100 in SCHD, against full books of 84 and 103.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 98 positions for SCHD that do not appear in our book for FGM (95.6% of the fund), and 1 for FGM that do not appear in SCHD (2.5%).
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 FGM | Weight in SCHD | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| MRKMerck & Company Inc | 1.64% | 4.26% | 2.62% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FGM 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, FGM or SCHD?
FGM 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, FGM or SCHD?
Over the past year FGM returned +15.59% vs +30.29% for SCHD, so SCHD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (15 years), FGM annualized +6.21% vs +11.12% for SCHD. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FGM or SCHD?
FGM has been the more volatile fund at 19.8% annualized versus 13.8% for SCHD. Worst drawdown: FGM -53.6% vs SCHD -33.4%.
Should I hold both FGM and SCHD?
FGM and SCHD have a monthly-return correlation of 0.70, 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 FGM and SCHD?
4.3% of SCHD's money is in holdings FGM also owns. 4.3% of SCHD's is in holdings FGM also owns. They hold 1 positions in common, counted across the 40 positions we hold weights for in FGM and 100 in SCHD.
Which pays a higher dividend, FGM or SCHD?
FGM yields 1.40% while SCHD yields 3.13%, so SCHD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SCHD better than FGM?
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. FGM led over 3Y, SCHD over 1Y, 5Y and the full window. FGM is less concentrated, with 40.1% 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.