FTDS vs SCHD
First Trust Dividend Strength ETF vs Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF
Which is better, FTDS or SCHD?
Mid Cap Value against Large Cap Value.
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. FTDS led over 3Y, SCHD over 1Y, 5Y and the full window. FTDS is less concentrated, with 22.2% 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 | FTDS | SCHD |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.70% | 0.06%Best |
| AUM | $40M | $112.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.53% | 3.13% |
| Holdings | 102 | 103 |
| YTD Return | +17.14% | +27.56%Best |
| 1Y Return | +20.77% | +30.29%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +17.34%Best | +16.37% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.19% | +10.23%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.5% | 13.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -42.6% | -33.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,823 | $16,274Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 22.2%Best | 41.5% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Charles Schwab Asset Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Value | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Dec 5, 2006 | Oct 20, 2011 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 24, 2011 to Sep 4, 2026 (14.9 years).
FTDS 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.
FTDS vs SCHD Performance
First Trust Dividend Strength ETF (FTDS) 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 FTDS returned +20.77% while SCHD returned +30.29%. Year to date, FTDS is up 17.14% versus a gain of 27.56% for SCHD.
Over three years, FTDS compounded at +17.34% per year against +16.37% for SCHD; over five years the annualized figures are +8.19% and +10.23% respectively. Across the full 15-year window we track, SCHD has the edge at +11.53% annualized vs +9.81%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FTDS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.5% 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 -42.6% for FTDS 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
FTDS charges 0.70% per year while SCHD charges 0.06%. On a $10,000 position that is $70 vs $6 annually, a gap of $64 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FTDS currently yields 1.53% against 3.13% for SCHD.
Holdings Overlap
21.1% of FTDS's money is in holdings SCHD also owns. 9.6% of SCHD's money is in holdings FTDS also owns.
FTDS and SCHD share little of their money.
11 positions in common, counted across the 50 positions we hold weights for in FTDS and 100 in SCHD, against full books of 102 and 103.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 88 positions for SCHD that do not appear in our book for FTDS (90.3% of the fund), and 38 for FTDS that do not appear in SCHD (76.8%).
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 FTDS | Weight in SCHD | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| QCOMQualcomm Inc. | 1.78% | 2.55% | 0.77% |
| EOGEog Resources Inc | 1.87% | 1.80% | 0.07% |
| DVNDevon Energy Corporation | 1.87% | 1.24% | 0.63% |
| RFEurazeo | 1.96% | 0.67% | 1.29% |
| BRBroadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. | 2.12% | 0.48% | 1.64% |
| CINFCincinnati Financial Corp. | 1.91% | 0.69% | 1.22% |
| SNASnap-On Inc. | 1.98% | 0.54% | 1.44% |
| PFGPrincipalfinancialgroupinc. | 1.96% | 0.56% | 1.40% |
| EWBCEast West Bancorp, Inc. | 1.93% | 0.45% | 1.48% |
| APAApa Corp | 1.92% | 0.33% | 1.59% |
21.1% of FTDS is already inside SCHD.
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, FTDS or SCHD?
FTDS has an expense ratio of 0.70% while SCHD charges 0.06%. SCHD is the cheaper option, by $64 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FTDS or SCHD?
Over the past year FTDS returned +20.77% vs +30.29% for SCHD, so SCHD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (15 years), FTDS annualized +9.81% vs +11.53% for SCHD. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FTDS or SCHD?
FTDS has been the more volatile fund at 16.5% annualized versus 13.6% for SCHD. Worst drawdown: FTDS -42.6% vs SCHD -33.4%.
Should I hold both FTDS and SCHD?
FTDS 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 FTDS and SCHD?
21.1% of FTDS's money is in holdings SCHD also owns. 9.6% of SCHD's is in holdings FTDS also owns. They hold 11 positions in common, counted across the 50 positions we hold weights for in FTDS and 100 in SCHD.
Which pays a higher dividend, FTDS or SCHD?
FTDS yields 1.53% while SCHD yields 3.13%, so SCHD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SCHD better than FTDS?
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. FTDS led over 3Y, SCHD over 1Y, 5Y and the full window. FTDS is less concentrated, with 22.2% 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.