FMTM vs SCHM
MarketDesk Focused US Momentum ETF vs Schwab US Mid Cap ETF
Which is better, FMTM or SCHM?
Each has led over a different period.
SCHM has a lower expense ratio. FMTM led over the full window, SCHM over 1Y. SCHM is less concentrated, with 5.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 36.2%.
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 | FMTM | SCHM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.45% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $263M | $14.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.25% | 1.26% |
| Holdings | 66 | 1,009 |
| YTD Return | +13.59% | +17.90%Best |
| 1Y Return | +17.73% | +21.37%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +19.31% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +6.84% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.8% | 13.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -16.0% | -15.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.6 years | $14,788Best | $13,591 |
| Top 10 Weight | 36.2% | 5.0%Best |
| Fund Family | MarketDesk Indices | Charles Schwab Asset Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Mid Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 20, 2025 | Jan 13, 2011 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.6 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 20, 2025 to Nov 11, 2026 (1.6 years).
FMTM vs SCHM 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 1.6 years both funds cover.
FMTM vs SCHM Performance
MarketDesk Focused US Momentum ETF (FMTM) is an ETF from MarketDesk Indices and Schwab US Mid Cap ETF (SCHM) is an ETF from Charles Schwab Asset Management. Over the past year FMTM returned +17.73% while SCHM returned +21.37%. Year to date, FMTM is up 13.59% versus a gain of 17.90% for SCHM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FMTM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.8% compared with 13.5% for SCHM. 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 -16.0% for FMTM and -15.3% for SCHM. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.79. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FMTM charges 0.45% per year while SCHM charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $45 vs $3 annually, a gap of $42 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FMTM currently yields 0.25% against 1.26% for SCHM.
Holdings Overlap
40.3% of FMTM's money is in holdings SCHM also owns. 3.8% of SCHM's money is in holdings FMTM also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
12 positions in common, counted across the 31 positions we hold weights for in FMTM and 500 in SCHM, against full books of 66 and 1,009.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 481 positions for SCHM that do not appear in our book for FMTM (95.0% of the fund), and 19 for FMTM that do not appear in SCHM (59.7%).
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 FMTM | Weight in SCHM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| DINOHollyfrontier | 3.81% | 0.41% | 3.40% |
| OKTAOkta Inc. | 3.38% | 0.74% | 2.64% |
| DTDynatrace Inc | 3.62% | 0.38% | 3.24% |
| PAYCPaycom Software Inc . | 3.73% | 0.19% | 3.54% |
| CHYMChime Financial Inc Class A | 3.67% | 0.14% | 3.53% |
| HALOHalozyme Therapeutics Inc | 3.52% | 0.28% | 3.24% |
| RVTYRevvity Inc | 3.36% | 0.36% | 3.00% |
| CRLCharles River Laboratories International Inc | 3.39% | 0.30% | 3.09% |
| EQHEquitable Holdings Inc. | 3.30% | 0.28% | 3.02% |
| RGENRepligen Corp | 3.08% | 0.23% | 2.85% |
40.3% of FMTM is already inside SCHM.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, FMTM or SCHM?
FMTM has an expense ratio of 0.45% while SCHM charges 0.03%. SCHM is the cheaper option, by $42 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FMTM or SCHM?
Over the past year FMTM returned +17.73% vs +21.37% for SCHM, so SCHM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), FMTM annualized +27.70% vs +21.14% for SCHM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FMTM or SCHM?
FMTM has been the more volatile fund at 19.8% annualized versus 13.5% for SCHM. Worst drawdown: FMTM -16.0% vs SCHM -15.3%.
Should I hold both FMTM and SCHM?
FMTM and SCHM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.79, 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 FMTM and SCHM?
40.3% of FMTM's money is in holdings SCHM also owns. 3.8% of SCHM's is in holdings FMTM also owns. They hold 12 positions in common, counted across the 31 positions we hold weights for in FMTM and 500 in SCHM.
Which pays a higher dividend, FMTM or SCHM?
FMTM yields 0.25% while SCHM yields 1.26%, so SCHM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SCHM better than FMTM?
SCHM has a lower expense ratio. FMTM led over the full window, SCHM over 1Y. SCHM is less concentrated, with 5.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 36.2%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.