PAXS vs SCHD
PIMCO Access Income Fund vs Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF
Which is better, PAXS or SCHD?
SCHD has been ahead.
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. SCHD led over 1Y, 3Y 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 | PAXS | SCHD |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 2.09% | 0.06%Best |
| AUM | $694M | $112.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 12.33% | 3.00% |
| Holdings | 443 | 103 |
| YTD Return | -1.15% | +24.59%Best |
| 1Y Return | -3.87% | +28.14%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +11.29% | +15.58%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +9.90% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.9% | 14.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -22.3% | -16.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 4.6 years | $11,877 | $15,535Best |
| Fund Family | PIMCO (US) | Charles Schwab Asset Management |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | - | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jan 31, 2022 | Oct 20, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4.6 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 27, 2022 to Sep 10, 2026 (4.6 years).
PAXS 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 4.6 years both funds cover.
PAXS vs SCHD Performance
PIMCO Access Income Fund (PAXS) is an ETF from PIMCO (US) and Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) is an ETF from Charles Schwab Asset Management. Over the past year PAXS returned -3.87% while SCHD returned +28.14%. Year to date, PAXS is down 1.15% versus a gain of 24.59% for SCHD.
Over three years, PAXS compounded at +11.29% per year against +15.58% for SCHD.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
PAXS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.9% compared with 14.8% 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 -22.3% for PAXS and -16.1% 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 0.52. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PAXS charges 2.09% per year while SCHD charges 0.06%. On a $10,000 position that is $209 vs $6 annually, a gap of $203 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PAXS currently yields 12.33% against 3.00% for SCHD.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 9 holdings in PAXS and 100 in SCHD, totalling 8.5% and 100.0% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
The two holdings books were reported 335 days apart, PAXS as of Sep 30, 2025 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.
0 positions in common, counted across the 9 positions we hold weights for in PAXS and 100 in SCHD, against full books of 443 and 103.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of PAXS 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, PAXS or SCHD?
PAXS has an expense ratio of 2.09% while SCHD charges 0.06%. SCHD is the cheaper option, by $203 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, PAXS or SCHD?
Over the past year PAXS returned -3.87% vs +28.14% for SCHD, so SCHD leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, PAXS or SCHD?
PAXS has been the more volatile fund at 15.9% annualized versus 14.8% for SCHD. Worst drawdown: PAXS -22.3% vs SCHD -16.1%.
Should I hold both PAXS and SCHD?
PAXS and SCHD have a monthly-return correlation of 0.52, 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, PAXS or SCHD?
PAXS yields 12.33% while SCHD yields 3.00%, so PAXS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SCHD better than PAXS?
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. SCHD led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.