FIXD vs SCHD
First Trust Smith Opportunistic Fixed Income ETF vs Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF
Which is better, FIXD or SCHD?
Long Term Mid Quality against Large Cap Value.
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. SCHD led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y 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 | FIXD | SCHD |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.65% | 0.06%Best |
| AUM | $3.2B | $112.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.80% | 3.00% |
| Holdings | 889 | 103 |
| YTD Return | -1.60% | +25.07%Best |
| 1Y Return | -1.35% | +27.61%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +3.77% | +15.74%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -1.15% | +9.89%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 5.7%Best | 15.5% |
| Max Drawdown | -21.8%Best | -33.4% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $9,438 | $16,025Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Charles Schwab Asset Management |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Long Term Mid Quality | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Feb 14, 2017 | Oct 20, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 15, 2017 to Sep 11, 2026 (9.6 years).
FIXD 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
FIXD vs SCHD Performance
First Trust Smith Opportunistic Fixed Income ETF (FIXD) 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 FIXD returned -1.35% while SCHD returned +27.61%. Year to date, FIXD is down 1.60% versus a gain of 25.07% for SCHD.
Over three years, FIXD compounded at +3.77% per year against +15.74% for SCHD; over five years the annualized figures are -1.15% and +9.89% respectively. Across the full 10-year window we track, SCHD has the edge at +11.35% annualized vs +0.34%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SCHD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.5% compared with 5.7% for FIXD. 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 -21.8% for FIXD 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 0.35. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FIXD charges 0.65% per year while SCHD charges 0.06%. On a $10,000 position that is $65 vs $6 annually, a gap of $59 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FIXD currently yields 4.80% against 3.00% for SCHD.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 268 holdings in FIXD and 100 in SCHD, totalling 47.2% 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 268 positions we hold weights for in FIXD and 100 in SCHD, against full books of 889 and 103.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FIXD 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, FIXD or SCHD?
FIXD has an expense ratio of 0.65% while SCHD charges 0.06%. SCHD is the cheaper option, by $59 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FIXD or SCHD?
Over the past year FIXD returned -1.35% vs +27.61% for SCHD, so SCHD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (10 years), FIXD annualized +0.34% vs +11.35% for SCHD. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FIXD or SCHD?
SCHD has been the more volatile fund at 15.5% annualized versus 5.7% for FIXD. Worst drawdown: FIXD -21.8% vs SCHD -33.4%.
Should I hold both FIXD and SCHD?
FIXD and SCHD have a monthly-return correlation of 0.35, 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, FIXD or SCHD?
FIXD yields 4.80% while SCHD yields 3.00%, so FIXD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SCHD better than FIXD?
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. SCHD led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.