QDEC vs SCHD
FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF - December vs Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF
Which is better, QDEC or SCHD?
Multi Alternative against Large Cap Value.
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. QDEC led over 3Y, SCHD over 1Y, 5Y 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 | QDEC | SCHD |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.90% | 0.06%Best |
| AUM | $699M | $112.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 3.00% |
| Holdings | 10 | 103 |
| YTD Return | +10.92% | +23.46%Best |
| 1Y Return | +16.27% | +27.20%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.49%Best | +15.41% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.08% | +10.16%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.2%Best | 14.7% |
| Max Drawdown | -25.3% | -16.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,164 | $16,223Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Charles Schwab Asset Management |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Dec 18, 2020 | Oct 20, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 21, 2020 to Sep 18, 2026 (5.7 years).
QDEC 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 5.7 years both funds cover.
QDEC vs SCHD Performance
FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF - December (QDEC) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) is an ETF from Charles Schwab Asset Management. Over the past year QDEC returned +16.27% while SCHD returned +27.20%. Year to date, QDEC is up 10.92% versus a gain of 23.46% for SCHD.
Over three years, QDEC compounded at +16.49% per year against +15.41% for SCHD; over five years the annualized figures are +10.08% and +10.16% respectively. Across the full 6-year window we track, SCHD has the edge at +12.13% annualized vs +10.97%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SCHD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.7% compared with 12.2% for QDEC. 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 -25.3% for QDEC 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 0.49. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
QDEC charges 0.90% per year while SCHD charges 0.06%. On a $10,000 position that is $90 vs $6 annually, a gap of $84 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, QDEC currently yields 0.00% against 3.00% for SCHD.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of QDEC 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, QDEC or SCHD?
QDEC has an expense ratio of 0.90% while SCHD charges 0.06%. SCHD is the cheaper option, by $84 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, QDEC or SCHD?
Over the past year QDEC returned +16.27% vs +27.20% for SCHD, so SCHD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (6 years), QDEC annualized +10.97% vs +12.13% for SCHD. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, QDEC or SCHD?
SCHD has been the more volatile fund at 14.7% annualized versus 12.2% for QDEC. Worst drawdown: QDEC -25.3% vs SCHD -16.9%.
Should I hold both QDEC and SCHD?
QDEC and SCHD have a monthly-return correlation of 0.49, 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, QDEC or SCHD?
QDEC yields 0.00% while SCHD yields 3.00%, so SCHD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SCHD better than QDEC?
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. QDEC led over 3Y, SCHD over 1Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.