FSEC vs SCHD
Fidelity Investment Grade Securitized ETF vs Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF
Which is better, FSEC or SCHD?
Investment Grade Bond 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 | FSEC | SCHD |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.36% | 0.06%Best |
| AUM | $4.6B | $112.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.82% | 3.00% |
| Holdings | 749 | 103 |
| YTD Return | -0.69% | +25.07%Best |
| 1Y Return | +0.56% | +27.61%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +4.95% | +15.74%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +0.07% | +9.89%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 6.6%Best | 14.4% |
| Max Drawdown | -18.0% | -16.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $10,035 | $16,025Best |
| Fund Family | Fidelity Investments (US) | Charles Schwab Asset Management |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Investment Grade Bond | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Mar 2, 2021 | Oct 20, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 4, 2021 to Sep 11, 2026 (5.5 years).
FSEC 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 5.5 years both funds cover.
FSEC vs SCHD Performance
Fidelity Investment Grade Securitized ETF (FSEC) is an ETF from Fidelity Investments (US) and Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) is an ETF from Charles Schwab Asset Management. Over the past year FSEC returned +0.56% while SCHD returned +27.61%. Year to date, FSEC is down 0.69% versus a gain of 25.07% for SCHD.
Over three years, FSEC compounded at +4.95% per year against +15.74% for SCHD; over five years the annualized figures are +0.07% and +9.89% respectively. Across the full 6-year window we track, SCHD has the edge at +11.41% annualized vs +0.13%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SCHD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.4% compared with 6.6% for FSEC. 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 -18.0% for FSEC and -16.9% 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 0.55. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FSEC charges 0.36% per year while SCHD charges 0.06%. On a $10,000 position that is $36 vs $6 annually, a gap of $30 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FSEC currently yields 4.82% against 3.00% for SCHD.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 3 holdings in FSEC and 100 in SCHD, totalling 6.1% and 100.0% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
The two holdings books were reported 62 days apart, FSEC as of Jun 30, 2026 and SCHD as of Aug 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
0 positions in common, counted across the 3 positions we hold weights for in FSEC and 100 in SCHD, against full books of 749 and 103.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FSEC 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, FSEC or SCHD?
FSEC has an expense ratio of 0.36% while SCHD charges 0.06%. SCHD is the cheaper option, by $30 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FSEC or SCHD?
Over the past year FSEC returned +0.56% vs +27.61% for SCHD, so SCHD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (6 years), FSEC annualized +0.13% vs +11.41% for SCHD. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FSEC or SCHD?
SCHD has been the more volatile fund at 14.4% annualized versus 6.6% for FSEC. Worst drawdown: FSEC -18.0% vs SCHD -16.9%.
Should I hold both FSEC and SCHD?
FSEC and SCHD have a monthly-return correlation of 0.55, 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, FSEC or SCHD?
FSEC yields 4.82% while SCHD yields 3.00%, so FSEC currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SCHD better than FSEC?
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.