FLQS vs SCHD
Franklin US Small Cap Multifactor Index ETF vs Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF
Which is better, FLQS or SCHD?
Small Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. SCHD led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. FLQS is less concentrated, with 9.3% 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 | FLQS | SCHD |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.35% | 0.06%Best |
| AUM | $47M | $112.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.33% | 3.13% |
| Holdings | 499 | 103 |
| YTD Return | +14.57% | +27.56%Best |
| 1Y Return | +12.26% | +30.29%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +12.81% | +16.37%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.22% | +10.23%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.6% | 15.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -42.2% | -33.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,522 | $16,274Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 9.3%Best | 41.5% |
| Fund Family | Franklin Templeton Investments (US) | Charles Schwab Asset Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Apr 26, 2017 | Oct 20, 2011 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 28, 2017 to Sep 4, 2026 (9.4 years).
FLQS 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 9.4 years both funds cover.
FLQS vs SCHD Performance
Franklin US Small Cap Multifactor Index ETF (FLQS) is an ETF from Franklin Templeton Investments (US) and Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) is an ETF from Charles Schwab Asset Management. Over the past year FLQS returned +12.26% while SCHD returned +30.29%. Year to date, FLQS is up 14.57% versus a gain of 27.56% for SCHD.
Over three years, FLQS compounded at +12.81% per year against +16.37% for SCHD; over five years the annualized figures are +6.22% and +10.23% respectively. Across the full 9-year window we track, SCHD has the edge at +11.78% annualized vs +8.71%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FLQS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.6% compared with 15.6% 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 -42.2% for FLQS 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 0.83. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FLQS charges 0.35% per year while SCHD charges 0.06%. On a $10,000 position that is $35 vs $6 annually, a gap of $29 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FLQS currently yields 1.33% against 3.13% for SCHD.
Holdings Overlap
3.1% of FLQS's money is in holdings SCHD also owns. 0.7% of SCHD's money is in holdings FLQS also owns.
FLQS and SCHD share little of their money.
16 positions in common, counted across the 491 positions we hold weights for in FLQS and 100 in SCHD, against full books of 499 and 103.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 82 positions for SCHD that do not appear in our book for FLQS (99.0% of the fund), and 454 for FLQS that do not appear in SCHD (91.8%).
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 FLQS | Weight in SCHD | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| KFYKorn Ferry | 0.62% | 0.11% | 0.51% |
| IPARInter Parfums Inc | 0.34% | 0.06% | 0.28% |
| LANCLancaster Colony Corp | 0.27% | 0.06% | 0.21% |
| CHCOCity Holding Co Common Stock Usd2.5 | 0.25% | 0.05% | 0.20% |
| NSPInsperity Inc | 0.24% | 0.05% | 0.19% |
| BKEBuckle Inc/the | 0.22% | 0.04% | 0.18% |
| GABCGerman American Bancorp Inc Common Stock | 0.19% | 0.05% | 0.14% |
| BANRBanner Corp | 0.16% | 0.06% | 0.10% |
| PFBCPreferred Bank La | 0.16% | 0.03% | 0.13% |
| CPFCentral Pacific Financial Corp | 0.13% | 0.03% | 0.10% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FLQS 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, FLQS or SCHD?
FLQS has an expense ratio of 0.35% while SCHD charges 0.06%. SCHD is the cheaper option, by $29 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FLQS or SCHD?
Over the past year FLQS returned +12.26% vs +30.29% for SCHD, so SCHD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (9 years), FLQS annualized +8.71% vs +11.78% for SCHD. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FLQS or SCHD?
FLQS has been the more volatile fund at 18.6% annualized versus 15.6% for SCHD. Worst drawdown: FLQS -42.2% vs SCHD -33.4%.
Should I hold both FLQS and SCHD?
FLQS and SCHD have a monthly-return correlation of 0.83, 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 FLQS and SCHD?
3.1% of FLQS's money is in holdings SCHD also owns. 0.7% of SCHD's is in holdings FLQS also owns. They hold 16 positions in common, counted across the 491 positions we hold weights for in FLQS and 100 in SCHD.
Which pays a higher dividend, FLQS or SCHD?
FLQS yields 1.33% while SCHD yields 3.13%, so SCHD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SCHD better than FLQS?
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. SCHD led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. FLQS is less concentrated, with 9.3% 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.