FTC vs SCHD
First Trust Large Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund vs Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF
Which is better, FTC or SCHD?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Value.
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. FTC led over 3Y and the full window, SCHD over 1Y and 5Y. FTC is less concentrated, with 10.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 41.8%.
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 | FTC | SCHD |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.58% | 0.06%Best |
| AUM | $1.3B | $112.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.15% | 3.00% |
| Holdings | 376 | 103 |
| YTD Return | +8.68% | +25.07%Best |
| 1Y Return | +9.29% | +27.61%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.84%Best | +15.74% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.13% | +9.89%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.1% | 13.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -34.7% | -33.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,478 | $16,025Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 10.0%Best | 41.8% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Charles Schwab Asset Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | May 8, 2007 | Oct 20, 2011 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 20, 2011 to Sep 11, 2026 (14.9 years).
FTC 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.
FTC vs SCHD Performance
First Trust Large Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund (FTC) 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 FTC returned +9.29% while SCHD returned +27.61%. Year to date, FTC is up 8.68% versus a gain of 25.07% for SCHD.
Over three years, FTC compounded at +20.84% per year against +15.74% for SCHD; over five years the annualized figures are +9.13% and +9.89% respectively. Across the full 15-year window we track, FTC has the edge at +13.58% annualized vs +11.36%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FTC has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.1% 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 -34.7% for FTC 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 0.73. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FTC charges 0.58% per year while SCHD charges 0.06%. On a $10,000 position that is $58 vs $6 annually, a gap of $52 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FTC currently yields 0.15% against 3.00% for SCHD.
Holdings Overlap
4.4% of FTC's money is in holdings SCHD also owns. 24.0% of SCHD's money is in holdings FTC also owns.
SCHD and FTC share little of their money.
10 positions in common, counted across the 187 positions we hold weights for in FTC and 100 in SCHD, against full books of 376 and 103.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 89 positions for SCHD that do not appear in our book for FTC (75.9% of the fund), and 173 for FTC that do not appear in SCHD (93.7%).
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 FTC | Weight in SCHD | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| MRKMerck & Co. Inc. | 0.65% | 4.77% | 4.12% |
| AMGNAmgen Inc. | 0.46% | 4.70% | 4.24% |
| KOCoca Cola Co. | 0.21% | 4.17% | 3.96% |
| QCOMQualcomm Inc. | 0.52% | 2.52% | 2.00% |
| ADPAutomatic Data Processing, Inc. | 0.24% | 2.79% | 2.55% |
| FFord Motor Co. | 0.57% | 1.33% | 0.76% |
| FASTFastenal Co. | 0.40% | 1.38% | 0.98% |
| CINFCincinnati Financial Corp. | 0.89% | 0.64% | 0.25% |
| PAYXPaychex, Inc. | 0.24% | 1.00% | 0.76% |
| ARESAres Management Corp Common Stock | 0.24% | 0.74% | 0.50% |
24.0% of SCHD is already inside FTC.
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, FTC or SCHD?
FTC has an expense ratio of 0.58% while SCHD charges 0.06%. SCHD is the cheaper option, by $52 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FTC or SCHD?
Over the past year FTC returned +9.29% vs +27.61% for SCHD, so SCHD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (15 years), FTC annualized +13.58% vs +11.36% for SCHD. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FTC or SCHD?
FTC has been the more volatile fund at 16.1% annualized versus 13.6% for SCHD. Worst drawdown: FTC -34.7% vs SCHD -33.4%.
Should I hold both FTC and SCHD?
FTC and SCHD have a monthly-return correlation of 0.73, 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 FTC and SCHD?
24.0% of SCHD's money is in holdings FTC also owns. 24.0% of SCHD's is in holdings FTC also owns. They hold 10 positions in common, counted across the 187 positions we hold weights for in FTC and 100 in SCHD.
Which pays a higher dividend, FTC or SCHD?
FTC yields 0.15% while SCHD yields 3.00%, so SCHD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SCHD better than FTC?
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. FTC led over 3Y and the full window, SCHD over 1Y and 5Y. FTC is less concentrated, with 10.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 41.8%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.