HEFA vs SCHD
iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE ETF vs Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF
Which is better, HEFA or SCHD?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. HEFA led over 3Y and 5Y, SCHD over 1Y and the full window.
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 | HEFA | SCHD |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.35% | 0.06%Best |
| AUM | $7.4B | $112.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.08% | 3.00% |
| Holdings | 786 | 103 |
| YTD Return | +11.18% | +25.07%Best |
| 1Y Return | +18.10% | +27.61%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +17.58%Best | +15.74% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.69%Best | +9.89% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.3%Best | 14.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -45.6% | -33.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,617Best | $16,025 |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Charles Schwab Asset Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jan 31, 2014 | Oct 20, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 11, 2014 to Sep 11, 2026 (12.6 years).
HEFA 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 12.6 years both funds cover.
HEFA vs SCHD Performance
iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE ETF (HEFA) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) is an ETF from Charles Schwab Asset Management. Over the past year HEFA returned +18.10% while SCHD returned +27.61%. Year to date, HEFA is up 11.18% versus a gain of 25.07% for SCHD.
Over three years, HEFA compounded at +17.58% per year against +15.74% for SCHD; over five years the annualized figures are +10.69% and +9.89% respectively. Across the full 13-year window we track, SCHD has the edge at +10.46% annualized vs +9.52%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SCHD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.3% compared with 12.3% for HEFA. 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 -45.6% for HEFA 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 0.76. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
HEFA charges 0.35% per year while SCHD charges 0.06%. On a $10,000 position that is $35 vs $6 annually, a gap of $29 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, HEFA currently yields 3.08% against 3.00% for SCHD.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 2 holdings in HEFA and 100 in SCHD, totalling 101.4% and 100.0% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 2 positions we hold weights for in HEFA and 100 in SCHD, against full books of 786 and 103.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of HEFA 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, HEFA or SCHD?
HEFA has an expense ratio of 0.35% while SCHD charges 0.06%. SCHD is the cheaper option, by $29 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, HEFA or SCHD?
Over the past year HEFA returned +18.10% vs +27.61% for SCHD, so SCHD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (13 years), HEFA annualized +9.52% vs +10.46% for SCHD. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, HEFA or SCHD?
SCHD has been the more volatile fund at 14.3% annualized versus 12.3% for HEFA. Worst drawdown: HEFA -45.6% vs SCHD -33.4%.
Should I hold both HEFA and SCHD?
HEFA and SCHD have a monthly-return correlation of 0.76, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, HEFA or SCHD?
HEFA yields 3.08% while SCHD yields 3.00%, so HEFA currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SCHD better than HEFA?
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. HEFA led over 3Y and 5Y, SCHD over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.