FIAX vs SCHD
Nicholas Fixed Income Alternative ETF vs Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF
Which is better, FIAX or SCHD?
Multi Alternative against Large Cap Value.
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. SCHD led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window.
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 | FIAX | SCHD |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.97% | 0.06%Best |
| AUM | $125M | $112.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 8.27% | 3.00% |
| Holdings | 11 | 103 |
| YTD Return | +0.26% | +23.68%Best |
| 1Y Return | +2.21% | +28.36%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +2.96% | +16.20%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +10.07% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 3.5%Best | 13.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -6.3%Best | -16.1% |
| $10,000 over 3.8 years | $11,078 | $14,695Best |
| Fund Family | XFunds | Charles Schwab Asset Management |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Nov 29, 2022 | Oct 20, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3.8 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 30, 2022 to Sep 22, 2026 (3.8 years).
FIAX 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 3.8 years both funds cover.
FIAX vs SCHD Performance
Nicholas Fixed Income Alternative ETF (FIAX) is an ETF from XFunds and Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) is an ETF from Charles Schwab Asset Management. Over the past year FIAX returned +2.21% while SCHD returned +28.36%. Year to date, FIAX is up 0.26% versus a gain of 23.68% for SCHD.
Over three years, FIAX compounded at +2.96% per year against +16.20% for SCHD. Across the full 4-year window we track, SCHD has the edge at +10.66% annualized vs +2.73%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SCHD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.3% compared with 3.5% for FIAX. 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 -6.3% for FIAX 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 0.60. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FIAX charges 0.97% per year while SCHD charges 0.06%. On a $10,000 position that is $97 vs $6 annually, a gap of $91 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FIAX currently yields 8.27% against 3.00% for SCHD.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 4 holdings in FIAX and 100 in SCHD, totalling 50.4% 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 4 positions we hold weights for in FIAX and 100 in SCHD, against full books of 11 and 103.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FIAX 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, FIAX or SCHD?
FIAX has an expense ratio of 0.97% while SCHD charges 0.06%. SCHD is the cheaper option, by $91 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FIAX or SCHD?
Over the past year FIAX returned +2.21% vs +28.36% for SCHD, so SCHD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (4 years), FIAX annualized +2.73% vs +10.66% for SCHD. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FIAX or SCHD?
SCHD has been the more volatile fund at 13.3% annualized versus 3.5% for FIAX. Worst drawdown: FIAX -6.3% vs SCHD -16.1%.
Should I hold both FIAX and SCHD?
FIAX and SCHD have a monthly-return correlation of 0.60, 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, FIAX or SCHD?
FIAX yields 8.27% while SCHD yields 3.00%, so FIAX currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SCHD better than FIAX?
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. SCHD led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.