MST vs SCHD
Defiance Leveraged Long + Income MSTR ETF vs Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF
Which is better, MST or SCHD?
Leverage Strategy against Large Cap Value.
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. SCHD led 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 | MST | SCHD |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.91% | 0.06%Best |
| AUM | $21M | $112.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 196.33% | 3.00% |
| Holdings | 26 | 103 |
| YTD Return | -39.27% | +23.60%Best |
| 1Y Return | -87.06% | +28.29%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +16.25% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +10.25% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 131.6% | 12.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -97.7% | -4.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.4 years | $847 | $13,581Best |
| Fund Family | Defiance ETFs, LLC | Charles Schwab Asset Management |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Leverage Strategy | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | May 1, 2025 | Oct 20, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.4 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: May 2, 2025 to Sep 21, 2026 (1.4 years).
MST 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 1.4 years both funds cover.
MST vs SCHD Performance
Defiance Leveraged Long + Income MSTR ETF (MST) is an ETF from Defiance ETFs, LLC and Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) is an ETF from Charles Schwab Asset Management. Over the past year MST returned -87.06% while SCHD returned +28.29%. Year to date, MST is down 39.27% versus a gain of 23.60% for SCHD.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
MST has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 131.6% compared with 12.6% 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 -97.7% for MST and -4.6% 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 0.15. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
MST charges 1.91% per year while SCHD charges 0.06%. On a $10,000 position that is $191 vs $6 annually, a gap of $185 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, MST currently yields 196.33% against 3.00% for SCHD.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 1 holding in MST and 100 in SCHD, totalling 7.8% 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 1 positions we hold weights for in MST and 100 in SCHD, against full books of 26 and 103.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of MST 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, MST or SCHD?
MST has an expense ratio of 1.91% while SCHD charges 0.06%. SCHD is the cheaper option, by $185 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, MST or SCHD?
Over the past year MST returned -87.06% vs +28.29% for SCHD, so SCHD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), MST annualized -82.85% vs +24.44% for SCHD. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, MST or SCHD?
MST has been the more volatile fund at 131.6% annualized versus 12.6% for SCHD. Worst drawdown: MST -97.7% vs SCHD -4.6%.
Should I hold both MST and SCHD?
MST and SCHD have a monthly-return correlation of 0.15, 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, MST or SCHD?
MST yields 196.33% while SCHD yields 3.00%, so MST currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SCHD better than MST?
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. SCHD led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.