FTBI vs SCHD
First Trust Balanced Income ETF vs Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF
Which is better, FTBI or SCHD?
Allocation/Balanced against Large Cap Value.
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. SCHD led over 1Y and the full window. SCHD is less concentrated, with 41.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 79.2%.
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 | FTBI | SCHD |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.98% | 0.06%Best |
| AUM | $24M | $112.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 7.65% | 3.00% |
| Holdings | 15 | 103 |
| YTD Return | +6.41% | +23.60%Best |
| 1Y Return | +8.20% | +28.29%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +16.25% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +10.25% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 6.1%Best | 12.6% |
| Max Drawdown | -5.3% | -4.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.3 years | $11,760 | $13,436Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 79.2% | 41.8%Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Charles Schwab Asset Management |
| Category | Allocation/Balanced | Equity |
| Style | Allocation/Balanced | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | May 28, 2025 | Oct 20, 2011 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.3 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: May 29, 2025 to Sep 21, 2026 (1.3 years).
FTBI 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 1.3 years both funds cover.
FTBI vs SCHD Performance
First Trust Balanced Income ETF (FTBI) 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 FTBI returned +8.20% while SCHD returned +28.29%. Year to date, FTBI is up 6.41% versus a gain of 23.60% for SCHD.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SCHD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 12.6% compared with 6.1% for FTBI. 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 -5.3% for FTBI and -4.6% 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 0.43. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FTBI charges 0.98% per year while SCHD charges 0.06%. On a $10,000 position that is $98 vs $6 annually, a gap of $92 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FTBI currently yields 7.65% against 3.00% for SCHD.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 15 holdings in FTBI and 100 in SCHD, totalling 99.9% and 100.0% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 15 positions we hold weights for in FTBI and 100 in SCHD, against full books of 15 and 103.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 15 and 100 positions we hold weights for.
SCHD holds 99 positions FTBI does not, 99.9% of the fund.
Largest: MRK 4.77%, AMGN 4.70%, ABT 4.69%, KO 4.17%, CVX 4.02%
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FTBI 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, FTBI or SCHD?
FTBI has an expense ratio of 0.98% while SCHD charges 0.06%. SCHD is the cheaper option, by $92 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FTBI or SCHD?
Over the past year FTBI returned +8.20% vs +28.29% for SCHD, so SCHD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), FTBI annualized +13.28% vs +25.51% for SCHD. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FTBI or SCHD?
SCHD has been the more volatile fund at 12.6% annualized versus 6.1% for FTBI. Worst drawdown: FTBI -5.3% vs SCHD -4.6%.
Should I hold both FTBI and SCHD?
FTBI and SCHD have a monthly-return correlation of 0.43, 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, FTBI or SCHD?
FTBI yields 7.65% while SCHD yields 3.00%, so FTBI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SCHD better than FTBI?
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. SCHD led over 1Y and the full window. SCHD is less concentrated, with 41.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 79.2%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.