LEAD vs SCHD
Siren DIVCON Leaders Dividend ETF vs Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF
Which is better, LEAD or SCHD?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. LEAD led over the full window, SCHD over 1Y. SCHD is less concentrated, with 41.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 42.3%.
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 | LEAD | SCHD |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.43% | 0.06%Best |
| AUM | $72M | $112.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.55% | 3.00% |
| Holdings | 54 | 103 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.7% | 14.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -32.2%Best | -33.4% |
| $10,000 over 10.5 years | $38,396Best | $30,862 |
| Top 10 Weight | 42.3% | 41.8%Best |
| Fund Family | SRN Advisors | Charles Schwab Asset Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jan 6, 2016 | Oct 20, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized).
The two price series end 65 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. LEAD has data through Jul 14, 2026 and SCHD through Sep 17, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 10.5 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 6, 2016 to Jul 14, 2026 (10.5 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
LEAD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.7% compared with 14.9% 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 -32.2% for LEAD 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 0.81. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
LEAD charges 0.43% per year while SCHD charges 0.06%. On a $10,000 position that is $43 vs $6 annually, a gap of $37 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, LEAD currently yields 0.55% against 3.00% for SCHD.
Holdings Overlap
4.1% of LEAD's money is in holdings SCHD also owns. 11.9% of SCHD's money is in holdings LEAD also owns.
SCHD and LEAD share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 123 days apart, LEAD as of Apr 30, 2026 and SCHD as of Aug 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
5 positions in common, counted across the 53 positions we hold weights for in LEAD and 100 in SCHD, against full books of 54 and 103.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 94 positions for SCHD that do not appear in our book for LEAD (88.0% of the fund), and 47 for LEAD 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 LEAD 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, LEAD or SCHD?
LEAD has an expense ratio of 0.43% while SCHD charges 0.06%. SCHD is the cheaper option, by $37 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, LEAD or SCHD?
LEAD has been the more volatile fund at 15.7% annualized versus 14.9% for SCHD. Worst drawdown: LEAD -32.2% vs SCHD -33.4%.
Should I hold both LEAD and SCHD?
LEAD and SCHD have a monthly-return correlation of 0.81, 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 LEAD and SCHD?
11.9% of SCHD's money is in holdings LEAD also owns. 11.9% of SCHD's is in holdings LEAD also owns. They hold 5 positions in common, counted across the 53 positions we hold weights for in LEAD and 100 in SCHD.
Which pays a higher dividend, LEAD or SCHD?
LEAD yields 0.55% while SCHD yields 3.00%, so SCHD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SCHD better than LEAD?
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. LEAD led over the full window, SCHD over 1Y. SCHD is less concentrated, with 41.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 42.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.