FXL vs SCHD
First Trust Technology AlphaDEX Fund vs Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF
Which is better, FXL or SCHD?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Value.
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. FXL led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. FXL is less concentrated, with 18.0% 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 | FXL | SCHD |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.60% | 0.06%Best |
| AUM | $2.8B | $112.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 3.13% |
| Holdings | 222 | 103 |
| YTD Return | +26.25% | +28.59%Best |
| 1Y Return | +34.31%Best | +31.77% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +22.32%Best | +16.70% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.64%Best | +10.09% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.7% | 13.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -38.5% | -33.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,579Best | $16,171 |
| Top 10 Weight | 18.0%Best | 41.5% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Charles Schwab Asset Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | 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).
FXL 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.
FXL vs SCHD Performance
First Trust Technology AlphaDEX Fund (FXL) 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 FXL returned +34.31% while SCHD returned +31.77%. Year to date, FXL is up 26.25% versus a gain of 28.59% for SCHD.
Over three years, FXL compounded at +22.32% per year against +16.70% for SCHD; over five years the annualized figures are +10.64% and +10.09% respectively. Across the full 15-year window we track, FXL has the edge at +17.70% annualized vs +11.59%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FXL has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.7% 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 -38.5% for FXL 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 0.64. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FXL 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, FXL currently yields 0.00% against 3.13% for SCHD.
Holdings Overlap
2.3% of FXL's money is in holdings SCHD also owns. 6.3% of SCHD's money is in holdings FXL also owns.
SCHD and FXL share little of their money.
3 positions in common, counted across the 110 positions we hold weights for in FXL and 100 in SCHD, against full books of 222 and 103.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 96 positions for SCHD that do not appear in our book for FXL (93.5% of the fund), and 104 for FXL that do not appear in SCHD (94.4%).
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 FXL 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, FXL or SCHD?
FXL 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, FXL or SCHD?
Over the past year FXL returned +34.31% vs +31.77% for SCHD, so FXL leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (15 years), FXL annualized +17.70% vs +11.59% for SCHD. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FXL or SCHD?
FXL has been the more volatile fund at 19.7% annualized versus 13.6% for SCHD. Worst drawdown: FXL -38.5% vs SCHD -33.4%.
Should I hold both FXL and SCHD?
FXL 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 FXL and SCHD?
6.3% of SCHD's money is in holdings FXL also owns. 6.3% of SCHD's is in holdings FXL also owns. They hold 3 positions in common, counted across the 110 positions we hold weights for in FXL and 100 in SCHD.
Which pays a higher dividend, FXL or SCHD?
FXL yields 0.00% while SCHD yields 3.13%, so SCHD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SCHD better than FXL?
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. FXL led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. FXL is less concentrated, with 18.0% 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.