FTGS vs SCHD
First Trust Growth Strength ETF vs Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF
Which is better, FTGS or SCHD?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Value.
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. FTGS led over 3Y and the full window, SCHD over 1Y. FTGS is less concentrated, with 22.0% 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 | FTGS | SCHD |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.60% | 0.06%Best |
| AUM | $1.3B | $112.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.08% | 3.13% |
| Holdings | 102 | 103 |
| YTD Return | +10.16% | +28.59%Best |
| 1Y Return | +9.95% | +31.77%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.97%Best | +16.70% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +10.09% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.4% | 13.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -20.0% | -16.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 3.9 years | $19,566Best | $16,778 |
| Top 10 Weight | 22.0%Best | 41.5% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Charles Schwab Asset Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Oct 25, 2022 | Oct 20, 2011 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3.9 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 26, 2022 to Sep 3, 2026 (3.9 years).
FTGS 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 3.9 years both funds cover.
FTGS vs SCHD Performance
First Trust Growth Strength ETF (FTGS) 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 FTGS returned +9.95% while SCHD returned +31.77%. Year to date, FTGS is up 10.16% versus a gain of 28.59% for SCHD.
Over three years, FTGS compounded at +16.97% per year against +16.70% for SCHD. Across the full 4-year window we track, FTGS has the edge at +18.78% annualized vs +14.19%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FTGS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.4% compared with 13.3% 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 -20.0% for FTGS 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 0.64. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FTGS 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, FTGS currently yields 0.08% against 3.13% for SCHD.
Holdings Overlap
5.8% of FTGS's money is in holdings SCHD also owns. 3.4% of SCHD's money is in holdings FTGS also owns.
FTGS and SCHD share little of their money.
3 positions in common, counted across the 50 positions we hold weights for in FTGS and 100 in SCHD, against full books of 102 and 103.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 96 positions for SCHD that do not appear in our book for FTGS (96.5% of the fund), and 47 for FTGS that do not appear in SCHD (94.2%).
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.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FTGS 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, FTGS or SCHD?
FTGS 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, FTGS or SCHD?
Over the past year FTGS returned +9.95% vs +31.77% for SCHD, so SCHD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (4 years), FTGS annualized +18.78% vs +14.19% for SCHD. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FTGS or SCHD?
FTGS has been the more volatile fund at 14.4% annualized versus 13.3% for SCHD. Worst drawdown: FTGS -20.0% vs SCHD -16.1%.
Should I hold both FTGS and SCHD?
FTGS and SCHD have a monthly-return correlation of 0.64, 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 FTGS and SCHD?
5.8% of FTGS's money is in holdings SCHD also owns. 3.4% of SCHD's is in holdings FTGS also owns. They hold 3 positions in common, counted across the 50 positions we hold weights for in FTGS and 100 in SCHD.
Which pays a higher dividend, FTGS or SCHD?
FTGS yields 0.08% while SCHD yields 3.13%, so SCHD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SCHD better than FTGS?
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. FTGS led over 3Y and the full window, SCHD over 1Y. FTGS is less concentrated, with 22.0% 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.