FT vs SCHD
Franklin Universal Trust vs Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF
Which is better, FT or SCHD?
Debt-oriented balanced against Large Cap Value.
FT 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 | FT | SCHD |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.00%Best | 0.06% |
| AUM | $212M | $112.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 5.95% | 3.00% |
| Holdings | 704 | 103 |
| YTD Return | -3.87% | +25.84%Best |
| 1Y Return | -0.68% | +30.18%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +10.15% | +16.08%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +4.22% | +9.97%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.7%Best | 13.6% |
| Max Drawdown | -41.2% | -33.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $12,296 | $16,083Best |
| Fund Family | Franklin Templeton Investments (US) | Charles Schwab Asset Management |
| Category | Allocation/Balanced | Equity |
| Style | Debt-oriented balanced | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Sep 23, 1988 | Oct 20, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 20, 2011 to Sep 15, 2026 (14.9 years).
FT 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.
FT vs SCHD Performance
Franklin Universal Trust (FT) 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 FT returned -0.68% while SCHD returned +30.18%. Year to date, FT is down 3.87% versus a gain of 25.84% for SCHD.
Over three years, FT compounded at +10.15% per year against +16.08% for SCHD; over five years the annualized figures are +4.22% and +9.97% respectively. Across the full 15-year window we track, SCHD has the edge at +11.40% annualized vs +3.65%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SCHD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.6% compared with 12.7% for FT. 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 -41.2% for FT 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 0.68. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FT charges 0.00% per year while SCHD charges 0.06%. On a $10,000 position that is $0 vs $6 annually, a gap of $6 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FT currently yields 5.95% against 3.00% for SCHD.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 307 holdings in FT and 100 in SCHD, totalling 114.3% 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 184 days apart, FT as of Feb 28, 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 307 positions we hold weights for in FT and 100 in SCHD, against full books of 704 and 103.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FT 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, FT or SCHD?
FT has an expense ratio of 0.00% while SCHD charges 0.06%. FT is the cheaper option, by $6 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FT or SCHD?
Over the past year FT returned -0.68% vs +30.18% for SCHD, so SCHD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (15 years), FT annualized +3.65% vs +11.40% for SCHD. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FT or SCHD?
SCHD has been the more volatile fund at 13.6% annualized versus 12.7% for FT. Worst drawdown: FT -41.2% vs SCHD -33.4%.
Should I hold both FT and SCHD?
FT and SCHD have a monthly-return correlation of 0.68, 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, FT or SCHD?
FT yields 5.95% while SCHD yields 3.00%, so FT currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SCHD better than FT?
FT 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.