FXG vs SCHD
First Trust Consumer Staples AlphaDEX Fund vs Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF
Which is better, FXG or SCHD?
Mid Cap Value against Large Cap Value.
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. SCHD led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. FXG is less concentrated, with 40.9% 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 | FXG | SCHD |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.63% | 0.06%Best |
| AUM | $232M | $112.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.37% | 3.13% |
| Holdings | 82 | 103 |
| YTD Return | +6.87% | +28.59%Best |
| 1Y Return | +2.96% | +31.77%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +3.38% | +16.70%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +4.13% | +10.09%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.4%Best | 13.6% |
| Max Drawdown | -29.4%Best | -33.4% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $12,243 | $16,171Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 40.9%Best | 41.5% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Charles Schwab Asset Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Value | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | May 8, 2007 | Oct 20, 2011 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 20, 2011 to Sep 3, 2026 (14.9 years).
FXG 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.
FXG vs SCHD Performance
First Trust Consumer Staples AlphaDEX Fund (FXG) 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 FXG returned +2.96% while SCHD returned +31.77%. Year to date, FXG is up 6.87% versus a gain of 28.59% for SCHD.
Over three years, FXG compounded at +3.38% per year against +16.70% for SCHD; over five years the annualized figures are +4.13% and +10.09% respectively. Across the full 15-year window we track, SCHD has the edge at +11.59% annualized vs +7.89%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SCHD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.6% compared with 13.4% for FXG. 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 -29.4% for FXG 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 0.79. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FXG charges 0.63% per year while SCHD charges 0.06%. On a $10,000 position that is $63 vs $6 annually, a gap of $57 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FXG currently yields 2.37% against 3.13% for SCHD.
Holdings Overlap
12.3% of FXG's money is in holdings SCHD also owns. 17.1% of SCHD's money is in holdings FXG also owns.
SCHD and FXG share little of their money.
7 positions in common, counted across the 40 positions we hold weights for in FXG and 100 in SCHD, against full books of 82 and 103.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 92 positions for SCHD that do not appear in our book for FXG (82.8% of the fund), and 30 for FXG that do not appear in SCHD (79.2%).
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.
Top Shared Holdings
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FXG 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, FXG or SCHD?
FXG has an expense ratio of 0.63% while SCHD charges 0.06%. SCHD is the cheaper option, by $57 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FXG or SCHD?
Over the past year FXG returned +2.96% vs +31.77% for SCHD, so SCHD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (15 years), FXG annualized +7.89% vs +11.59% for SCHD. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FXG or SCHD?
SCHD has been the more volatile fund at 13.6% annualized versus 13.4% for FXG. Worst drawdown: FXG -29.4% vs SCHD -33.4%.
Should I hold both FXG and SCHD?
FXG and SCHD have a monthly-return correlation of 0.79, 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 FXG and SCHD?
17.1% of SCHD's money is in holdings FXG also owns. 17.1% of SCHD's is in holdings FXG also owns. They hold 7 positions in common, counted across the 40 positions we hold weights for in FXG and 100 in SCHD.
Which pays a higher dividend, FXG or SCHD?
FXG yields 2.37% while SCHD yields 3.13%, so SCHD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SCHD better than FXG?
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. SCHD led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. FXG is less concentrated, with 40.9% 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.