FTCE vs SCHD
First Trust New Constructs Core Earnings Leaders ETF vs Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF
Which is better, FTCE or SCHD?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. FTCE led over the full window, SCHD over 1Y. FTCE is less concentrated, with 37.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 41.5%.
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 | FTCE | SCHD |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.60% | 0.06%Best |
| AUM | $88M | $112.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.66% | 3.13% |
| Holdings | 202 | 103 |
| YTD Return | +11.32% | +27.56%Best |
| 1Y Return | +21.32% | +30.29%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +16.37% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +10.23% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.8% | 13.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -18.1% | -16.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.9 years | $14,044Best | $13,165 |
| Top 10 Weight | 37.9%Best | 41.5% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Charles Schwab Asset Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Oct 2, 2024 | Oct 20, 2011 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.9 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 3, 2024 to Sep 4, 2026 (1.9 years).
FTCE 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 1.9 years both funds cover.
FTCE vs SCHD Performance
First Trust New Constructs Core Earnings Leaders ETF (FTCE) 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 FTCE returned +21.32% while SCHD returned +30.29%. Year to date, FTCE is up 11.32% versus a gain of 27.56% for SCHD.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FTCE has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.8% compared with 13.8% 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 -18.1% for FTCE and -16.1% 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 0.38. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FTCE charges 0.60% per year while SCHD charges 0.06%. On a $10,000 position that is $60 vs $6 annually, a gap of $54 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FTCE currently yields 0.66% against 3.13% for SCHD.
Holdings Overlap
18.1% of FTCE's money is in holdings SCHD also owns. 30.3% of SCHD's money is in holdings FTCE also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
13 positions in common, counted across the 100 positions we hold weights for in FTCE and 100 in SCHD, against full books of 202 and 103.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 85 positions for SCHD that do not appear in our book for FTCE (69.4% of the fund), and 84 for FTCE that do not appear in SCHD (77.4%).
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 FTCE | Weight in SCHD | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| QCOMQualcomm | 3.89% | 2.55% | 1.34% |
| ACNAccenture Plc | 3.26% | 2.70% | 0.56% |
| PEPPepsico Inc. | 2.08% | 3.71% | 1.63% |
| MRKMerck & Co. Inc. | 1.24% | 4.26% | 3.02% |
| MOAltria Group Inc. | 1.25% | 2.86% | 1.61% |
| LMTLockheed Martin Corp | 1.02% | 2.99% | 1.97% |
| BMYBristol-Myers Squibb Co. | 0.51% | 3.31% | 2.80% |
| FFord Motor Credit | 1.76% | 1.37% | 0.39% |
| SLBSlb Ltd. | 1.19% | 1.89% | 0.70% |
| EOGEog Resources Inc | 1.14% | 1.80% | 0.66% |
30.3% of SCHD is already inside FTCE.
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, FTCE or SCHD?
FTCE has an expense ratio of 0.60% while SCHD charges 0.06%. SCHD is the cheaper option, by $54 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FTCE or SCHD?
Over the past year FTCE returned +21.32% vs +30.29% for SCHD, so SCHD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), FTCE annualized +19.57% vs +15.57% for SCHD. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FTCE or SCHD?
FTCE has been the more volatile fund at 14.8% annualized versus 13.8% for SCHD. Worst drawdown: FTCE -18.1% vs SCHD -16.1%.
Should I hold both FTCE and SCHD?
FTCE and SCHD have a monthly-return correlation of 0.38, 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 FTCE and SCHD?
30.3% of SCHD's money is in holdings FTCE also owns. 30.3% of SCHD's is in holdings FTCE also owns. They hold 13 positions in common, counted across the 100 positions we hold weights for in FTCE and 100 in SCHD.
Which pays a higher dividend, FTCE or SCHD?
FTCE yields 0.66% while SCHD yields 3.13%, so SCHD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SCHD better than FTCE?
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. FTCE led over the full window, SCHD over 1Y. FTCE is less concentrated, with 37.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 41.5%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.