FTXL vs SCHD
First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF vs Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF
Which is better, FTXL or SCHD?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Value.
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. FTXL led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. SCHD is less concentrated, with 41.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 68.2%.
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 | FTXL | SCHD |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.60% | 0.06%Best |
| AUM | $1.2B | $112.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.11% | 3.00% |
| Holdings | 70 | 103 |
| YTD Return | +72.47%Best | +25.07% |
| 1Y Return | +124.27%Best | +27.61% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +50.87%Best | +15.74% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +27.94%Best | +9.89% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 31.2% | 15.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -43.9% | -33.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $34,279Best | $16,025 |
| Top 10 Weight | 68.2% | 41.8%Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Charles Schwab Asset Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Sep 20, 2016 | Oct 20, 2011 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 21, 2016 to Sep 11, 2026 (10 years).
FTXL 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 10 years both funds cover.
FTXL vs SCHD Performance
First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF (FTXL) 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 FTXL returned +124.27% while SCHD returned +27.61%. Year to date, FTXL is up 72.47% versus a gain of 25.07% for SCHD.
Over three years, FTXL compounded at +50.87% per year against +15.74% for SCHD; over five years the annualized figures are +27.94% and +9.89% respectively. Across the full 10-year window we track, FTXL has the edge at +28.26% annualized vs +11.48%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FTXL has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 31.2% compared with 15.3% 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 -43.9% for FTXL 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 0.52. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FTXL 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, FTXL currently yields 0.11% against 3.00% for SCHD.
Holdings Overlap
12.9% of FTXL's money is in holdings SCHD also owns. 5.9% of SCHD's money is in holdings FTXL also owns.
FTXL and SCHD share little of their money.
3 positions in common, counted across the 34 positions we hold weights for in FTXL and 100 in SCHD, against full books of 70 and 103.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 96 positions for SCHD that do not appear in our book for FTXL (94.0% of the fund), and 31 for FTXL that do not appear in SCHD (87.0%).
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 FTXL 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, FTXL or SCHD?
FTXL 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, FTXL or SCHD?
Over the past year FTXL returned +124.27% vs +27.61% for SCHD, so FTXL leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (10 years), FTXL annualized +28.26% vs +11.48% for SCHD. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FTXL or SCHD?
FTXL has been the more volatile fund at 31.2% annualized versus 15.3% for SCHD. Worst drawdown: FTXL -43.9% vs SCHD -33.4%.
Should I hold both FTXL and SCHD?
FTXL and SCHD have a monthly-return correlation of 0.52, 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 FTXL and SCHD?
12.9% of FTXL's money is in holdings SCHD also owns. 5.9% of SCHD's is in holdings FTXL also owns. They hold 3 positions in common, counted across the 34 positions we hold weights for in FTXL and 100 in SCHD.
Which pays a higher dividend, FTXL or SCHD?
FTXL yields 0.11% while SCHD yields 3.00%, so SCHD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SCHD better than FTXL?
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. FTXL led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. SCHD is less concentrated, with 41.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 68.2%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.