QHDG vs SCHD
Innovator Hedged Nasdaq-100 ETF vs Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF
Which is better, QHDG or SCHD?
Market Neutral Strategy against Large Cap Value.
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. SCHD led over 1Y and the full window. SCHD is less concentrated, with 41.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 46.4%.
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 | QHDG | SCHD |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.79% | 0.06%Best |
| AUM | $2M | $112.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 3.00% |
| Holdings | 106 | 103 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 8.8%Best | 13.2% |
| Max Drawdown | -15.3%Best | -16.1% |
| $10,000 over 1.9 years | $12,106 | $12,739Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 46.4% | 41.8%Best |
| Fund Family | Innovator ETFs Trust | Charles Schwab Asset Management |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Market Neutral Strategy | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Aug 19, 2024 | Oct 20, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized).
The two price series end 63 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. QHDG has data through Jul 10, 2026 and SCHD through Sep 11, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.9 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 20, 2024 to Jul 10, 2026 (1.9 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SCHD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.2% compared with 8.8% for QHDG. 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 -15.3% for QHDG 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 0.12. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
QHDG charges 0.79% per year while SCHD charges 0.06%. On a $10,000 position that is $79 vs $6 annually, a gap of $73 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, QHDG currently yields 0.00% against 3.00% for SCHD.
Holdings Overlap
5.5% of QHDG's money is in holdings SCHD also owns. 21.5% of SCHD's money is in holdings QHDG also owns.
SCHD and QHDG share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 153 days apart, QHDG as of Mar 31, 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.
8 positions in common, counted across the 101 positions we hold weights for in QHDG and 100 in SCHD, against full books of 106 and 103.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 91 positions for SCHD that do not appear in our book for QHDG (78.5% of the fund), and 84 for QHDG that do not appear in SCHD (89.2%).
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.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in QHDG | Weight in SCHD | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AMGNAmgen Inc. | 1.05% | 4.70% | 3.65% |
| PEPPepsico Inc. | 1.17% | 3.64% | 2.47% |
| TXNTexas Instruments, Inc | 0.99% | 3.13% | 2.14% |
| QCOMQualcomm Inc. | 0.75% | 2.52% | 1.77% |
| ADPAutomatic Data Processing, Inc. | 0.45% | 2.79% | 2.34% |
| CMCSAComcast Corp. Class A | 0.56% | 2.31% | 1.75% |
| FASTFastenal Co. | 0.30% | 1.38% | 1.08% |
| PAYXPaychex, Inc. | 0.18% | 1.00% | 0.82% |
21.5% of SCHD is already inside QHDG.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, QHDG or SCHD?
QHDG has an expense ratio of 0.79% while SCHD charges 0.06%. SCHD is the cheaper option, by $73 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, QHDG or SCHD?
SCHD has been the more volatile fund at 13.2% annualized versus 8.8% for QHDG. Worst drawdown: QHDG -15.3% vs SCHD -16.1%.
Should I hold both QHDG and SCHD?
QHDG and SCHD have a monthly-return correlation of 0.12, 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 QHDG and SCHD?
21.5% of SCHD's money is in holdings QHDG also owns. 21.5% of SCHD's is in holdings QHDG also owns. They hold 8 positions in common, counted across the 101 positions we hold weights for in QHDG and 100 in SCHD.
Which pays a higher dividend, QHDG or SCHD?
QHDG yields 0.00% while SCHD yields 3.00%, so SCHD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SCHD better than QHDG?
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. SCHD led over 1Y and the full window. SCHD is less concentrated, with 41.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 46.4%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.