FTCS vs SCHD
First Trust Capital Strength ETF vs Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF
Which is better, FTCS or SCHD?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. SCHD led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. FTCS is less concentrated, with 22.4% 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 | FTCS | SCHD |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.53% | 0.06%Best |
| AUM | $7.9B | $112.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.06% | 3.00% |
| Holdings | 102 | 103 |
| YTD Return | +4.95% | +23.46%Best |
| 1Y Return | +5.48% | +27.20%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +9.62% | +15.41%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.07% | +10.16%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.5%Best | 13.7% |
| Max Drawdown | -31.9%Best | -33.4% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,427 | $16,223Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 22.4%Best | 41.8% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Charles Schwab Asset Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jul 6, 2006 | Oct 20, 2011 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 20, 2011 to Sep 18, 2026 (14.9 years).
FTCS 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.
FTCS vs SCHD Performance
First Trust Capital Strength ETF (FTCS) 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 FTCS returned +5.48% while SCHD returned +27.20%. Year to date, FTCS is up 4.95% versus a gain of 23.46% for SCHD.
Over three years, FTCS compounded at +9.62% per year against +15.41% for SCHD; over five years the annualized figures are +6.07% and +10.16% respectively. Across the full 15-year window we track, SCHD has the edge at +11.25% annualized vs +11.03%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SCHD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.7% compared with 13.5% for FTCS. 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 -31.9% for FTCS 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 0.87. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FTCS charges 0.53% per year while SCHD charges 0.06%. On a $10,000 position that is $53 vs $6 annually, a gap of $47 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FTCS currently yields 1.06% against 3.00% for SCHD.
Holdings Overlap
26.1% of FTCS's money is in holdings SCHD also owns. 35.1% of SCHD's money is in holdings FTCS also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
13 positions in common, counted across the 50 positions we hold weights for in FTCS and 100 in SCHD, against full books of 102 and 103.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 86 positions for SCHD that do not appear in our book for FTCS (64.8% of the fund), and 37 for FTCS that do not appear in SCHD (73.6%).
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 FTCS | Weight in SCHD | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| MRKMerck & Company Inc | 2.23% | 4.77% | 2.54% |
| AMGNAmgen Inc. | 2.26% | 4.70% | 2.44% |
| KOCoca Cola Co. | 2.09% | 4.17% | 2.08% |
| HDHome Depot Inc/The | 1.86% | 3.88% | 2.02% |
| PGProcter & Gamble Company | 1.86% | 3.83% | 1.97% |
| PEPPepsico Inc. | 1.97% | 3.64% | 1.67% |
| ADPAutomatic Data Processing, Inc. | 2.16% | 2.79% | 0.63% |
| LMTLockheed Martin Corp | 2.12% | 2.78% | 0.66% |
| EOGEog Resources Inc | 1.99% | 1.88% | 0.11% |
| PAYXPaychex, Inc. | 2.14% | 1.00% | 1.14% |
35.1% of SCHD is already inside FTCS.
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, FTCS or SCHD?
FTCS has an expense ratio of 0.53% while SCHD charges 0.06%. SCHD is the cheaper option, by $47 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FTCS or SCHD?
Over the past year FTCS returned +5.48% vs +27.20% for SCHD, so SCHD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (15 years), FTCS annualized +11.03% vs +11.25% for SCHD. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FTCS or SCHD?
SCHD has been the more volatile fund at 13.7% annualized versus 13.5% for FTCS. Worst drawdown: FTCS -31.9% vs SCHD -33.4%.
Should I hold both FTCS and SCHD?
FTCS and SCHD have a monthly-return correlation of 0.87, 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 FTCS and SCHD?
35.1% of SCHD's money is in holdings FTCS also owns. 35.1% of SCHD's is in holdings FTCS also owns. They hold 13 positions in common, counted across the 50 positions we hold weights for in FTCS and 100 in SCHD.
Which pays a higher dividend, FTCS or SCHD?
FTCS yields 1.06% while SCHD yields 3.00%, so SCHD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SCHD better than FTCS?
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. SCHD led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. FTCS is less concentrated, with 22.4% 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.