PLDR vs SCHD
Putnam Sustainable Leaders ETF vs Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF
Which is better, PLDR or SCHD?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Value.
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. PLDR led over the full window, SCHD over 1Y.
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 | PLDR | SCHD |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.59% | 0.06%Best |
| AUM | $3M | $112.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.35% | 3.00% |
| Holdings | 56 | 103 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.1% | 14.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -29.6% | -16.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,450Best | $15,127 |
| Fund Family | Putnam Investments | Charles Schwab Asset Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | May 25, 2021 | Oct 20, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
The two price series end 101 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. PLDR has data through Jun 9, 2026 and SCHD through Sep 18, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 5 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: May 26, 2021 to Jun 9, 2026 (5 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
PLDR has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.1% compared with 14.6% 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 -29.6% for PLDR and -16.9% 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 0.65. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PLDR charges 0.59% per year while SCHD charges 0.06%. On a $10,000 position that is $59 vs $6 annually, a gap of $53 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PLDR currently yields 0.35% against 3.00% for SCHD.
Holdings Overlap
At least 3.9% of SCHD's money is in holdings PLDR also owns.
Stated as a floor: for PLDR, our book for it covers 92.9% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
SCHD and PLDR share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 185 days apart, PLDR as of Feb 27, 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.
1 positions in common, counted across the 52 positions we hold weights for in PLDR and 100 in SCHD, against full books of 56 and 103.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in PLDR | Weight in SCHD | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| HDHome Depot Inc/The | 1.75% | 3.88% | 2.13% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of PLDR 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, PLDR or SCHD?
PLDR has an expense ratio of 0.59% while SCHD charges 0.06%. SCHD is the cheaper option, by $53 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, PLDR or SCHD?
PLDR has been the more volatile fund at 17.1% annualized versus 14.6% for SCHD. Worst drawdown: PLDR -29.6% vs SCHD -16.9%.
Should I hold both PLDR and SCHD?
PLDR and SCHD have a monthly-return correlation of 0.65, 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 PLDR and SCHD?
At least 3.9% of SCHD's money is in holdings PLDR also owns. Our book for PLDR is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 1 positions in common, counted across the 52 positions we hold weights for in PLDR and 100 in SCHD.
Which pays a higher dividend, PLDR or SCHD?
PLDR yields 0.35% while SCHD yields 3.00%, so SCHD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SCHD better than PLDR?
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. PLDR led over the full window, SCHD over 1Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.