FNK vs SCHD
First Trust Mid Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund vs Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF
Which is better, FNK or SCHD?
Mid Cap Value against Large Cap Value.
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. SCHD led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. FNK is less concentrated, with 8.5% 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 | FNK | SCHD |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.74% | 0.06%Best |
| AUM | $232M | $112.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.43% | 3.13% |
| Holdings | 452 | 103 |
| YTD Return | +16.31% | +27.56%Best |
| 1Y Return | +16.73% | +30.29%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +13.49% | +16.37%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.22% | +10.23%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.0% | 13.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -52.1% | -33.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,542 | $16,274Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 8.5%Best | 41.5% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Charles Schwab Asset Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Value | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Apr 19, 2011 | Oct 20, 2011 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 20, 2011 to Sep 4, 2026 (14.9 years).
FNK 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 14.9 years both funds cover.
FNK vs SCHD Performance
First Trust Mid Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund (FNK) 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 FNK returned +16.73% while SCHD returned +30.29%. Year to date, FNK is up 16.31% versus a gain of 27.56% for SCHD.
Over three years, FNK compounded at +13.49% per year against +16.37% for SCHD; over five years the annualized figures are +9.22% and +10.23% respectively. Across the full 15-year window we track, SCHD has the edge at +11.53% annualized vs +9.98%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FNK has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.0% compared with 13.6% 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 -52.1% for FNK 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 0.85. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FNK charges 0.74% per year while SCHD charges 0.06%. On a $10,000 position that is $74 vs $6 annually, a gap of $68 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FNK currently yields 1.43% against 3.13% for SCHD.
Holdings Overlap
7.6% of FNK's money is in holdings SCHD also owns. 3.3% of SCHD's money is in holdings FNK also owns.
FNK and SCHD share little of their money.
15 positions in common, counted across the 225 positions we hold weights for in FNK and 100 in SCHD, against full books of 452 and 103.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 84 positions for SCHD that do not appear in our book for FNK (96.6% of the fund), and 204 for FNK that do not appear in SCHD (88.9%).
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 FNK | Weight in SCHD | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| DINOHollyfrontier | 0.84% | 0.31% | 0.53% |
| APAApa Corp | 0.75% | 0.33% | 0.42% |
| MMacy'S Inc. | 0.76% | 0.17% | 0.59% |
| BAHBooz Allen Hamilton Holding Corp. | 0.66% | 0.23% | 0.43% |
| BBYBest Buy Co. Inc. | 0.47% | 0.40% | 0.07% |
| ORIOld Republic International Corp | 0.60% | 0.24% | 0.36% |
| MURMurphy Oil Corp | 0.62% | 0.11% | 0.51% |
| OZKBank Ozk | 0.56% | 0.13% | 0.43% |
| SWKSSkyworks Solutions Inc. | 0.42% | 0.27% | 0.15% |
| FNFFidelity Nationa | 0.30% | 0.32% | 0.02% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FNK 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, FNK or SCHD?
FNK has an expense ratio of 0.74% while SCHD charges 0.06%. SCHD is the cheaper option, by $68 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FNK or SCHD?
Over the past year FNK returned +16.73% vs +30.29% for SCHD, so SCHD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (15 years), FNK annualized +9.98% vs +11.53% for SCHD. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FNK or SCHD?
FNK has been the more volatile fund at 20.0% annualized versus 13.6% for SCHD. Worst drawdown: FNK -52.1% vs SCHD -33.4%.
Should I hold both FNK and SCHD?
FNK and SCHD have a monthly-return correlation of 0.85, 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 FNK and SCHD?
7.6% of FNK's money is in holdings SCHD also owns. 3.3% of SCHD's is in holdings FNK also owns. They hold 15 positions in common, counted across the 225 positions we hold weights for in FNK and 100 in SCHD.
Which pays a higher dividend, FNK or SCHD?
FNK yields 1.43% while SCHD yields 3.13%, so SCHD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SCHD better than FNK?
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. SCHD led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. FNK is less concentrated, with 8.5% 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.