FSTA vs SCHD
Fidelity MSCI Consumer Staples Index ETF vs Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF
Which is better, FSTA or SCHD?
SCHD has been ahead.
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. SCHD led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. SCHD is less concentrated, with 41.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 61.7%.
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 | FSTA | SCHD |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.08% | 0.06%Best |
| AUM | $1.4B | $112.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.17% | 3.13% |
| Holdings | 98 | 103 |
| YTD Return | +9.54% | +27.56%Best |
| 1Y Return | +6.25% | +30.29%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +9.02% | +16.37%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.54% | +10.23%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.4%Best | 14.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -25.7%Best | -33.4% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,727 | $16,274Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 61.7% | 41.5%Best |
| Fund Family | Fidelity Investments (US) | Charles Schwab Asset Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Oct 21, 2013 | Oct 20, 2011 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 24, 2013 to Sep 4, 2026 (12.9 years).
FSTA 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 12.9 years both funds cover.
FSTA vs SCHD Performance
Fidelity MSCI Consumer Staples Index ETF (FSTA) 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 FSTA returned +6.25% while SCHD returned +30.29%. Year to date, FSTA is up 9.54% versus a gain of 27.56% for SCHD.
Over three years, FSTA compounded at +9.02% per year against +16.37% for SCHD; over five years the annualized figures are +6.54% and +10.23% respectively. Across the full 13-year window we track, SCHD has the edge at +10.53% annualized vs +7.02%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SCHD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.3% compared with 12.4% for FSTA. 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 -25.7% for FSTA 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 0.78. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FSTA charges 0.08% per year while SCHD charges 0.06%. On a $10,000 position that is $8 vs $6 annually, a gap of $2 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FSTA currently yields 2.17% against 3.13% for SCHD.
Holdings Overlap
31.0% of FSTA's money is in holdings SCHD also owns. 18.7% of SCHD's money is in holdings FSTA also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
11 positions in common, counted across the 93 positions we hold weights for in FSTA and 100 in SCHD, against full books of 98 and 103.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 87 positions for SCHD that do not appear in our book for FSTA (81.0% of the fund), and 81 for FSTA that do not appear in SCHD (67.8%).
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 FSTA | Weight in SCHD | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| KOCoca-cola Co. | 8.41% | 4.20% | 4.21% |
| PGProcter & Gamble Company | 8.61% | 3.96% | 4.65% |
| PEPPepsico Inc. | 4.20% | 3.71% | 0.49% |
| MOAltria Group Inc. | 3.68% | 2.86% | 0.82% |
| TGTTarget Corp. | 2.28% | 1.70% | 0.58% |
| KMBKimberly-Clark Corp. | 1.32% | 0.91% | 0.41% |
| HSYHershey Co. | 1.01% | 0.68% | 0.33% |
| GISGeneral Mills Inc. | 0.80% | 0.49% | 0.31% |
| IPARInter Parfums Inc | 0.27% | 0.06% | 0.21% |
| LANCLancaster Colony Corp | 0.25% | 0.06% | 0.19% |
31.0% of FSTA is already inside SCHD.
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, FSTA or SCHD?
FSTA has an expense ratio of 0.08% while SCHD charges 0.06%. SCHD is the cheaper option, by $2 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FSTA or SCHD?
Over the past year FSTA returned +6.25% vs +30.29% for SCHD, so SCHD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (13 years), FSTA annualized +7.02% vs +10.53% for SCHD. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FSTA or SCHD?
SCHD has been the more volatile fund at 14.3% annualized versus 12.4% for FSTA. Worst drawdown: FSTA -25.7% vs SCHD -33.4%.
Should I hold both FSTA and SCHD?
FSTA and SCHD have a monthly-return correlation of 0.78, 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 FSTA and SCHD?
31.0% of FSTA's money is in holdings SCHD also owns. 18.7% of SCHD's is in holdings FSTA also owns. They hold 11 positions in common, counted across the 93 positions we hold weights for in FSTA and 100 in SCHD.
Which pays a higher dividend, FSTA or SCHD?
FSTA yields 2.17% while SCHD yields 3.13%, so SCHD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SCHD better than FSTA?
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. SCHD led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. SCHD is less concentrated, with 41.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 61.7%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.