QLC vs SCHD
Northern Trust US Quality Large Cap ETF vs Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF
Which is better, QLC or SCHD?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. QLC led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, SCHD over 1Y. QLC is less concentrated, with 35.2% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 41.8%.
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 | QLC | SCHD |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.25% | 0.06%Best |
| AUM | $1.1B | $108.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.91% | 3.00% |
| Holdings | 163 | 206 |
| YTD Return | +13.73% | +22.08%Best |
| 1Y Return | +18.57% | +26.66%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +24.79%Best | +16.06% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +15.19%Best | +9.39% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.4% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -35.9% | -33.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $20,280Best | $15,663 |
| Top 10 Weight | 35.2%Best | 41.8% |
| Fund Family | Northern Trust Asset Management | Charles Schwab Asset Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Sep 23, 2015 | Oct 20, 2011 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 24, 2015 to Oct 9, 2026 (11 years).
QLC 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 11 years both funds cover.
QLC vs SCHD Performance
Northern Trust US Quality Large Cap ETF (QLC) is an ETF from Northern Trust Asset Management and Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) is an ETF from Charles Schwab Asset Management. Over the past year QLC returned +18.57% while SCHD returned +26.66%. Year to date, QLC is up 13.73% versus a gain of 22.08% for SCHD.
Over three years, QLC compounded at +24.79% per year against +16.06% for SCHD; over five years the annualized figures are +15.19% and +9.39% respectively. Across the full 11-year window we track, QLC has the edge at +14.19% annualized vs +11.69%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QLC has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.4% compared with 15.0% 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 -35.9% for QLC and -33.4% 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 0.78. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
QLC charges 0.25% per year while SCHD charges 0.06%. On a $10,000 position that is $25 vs $6 annually, a gap of $19 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, QLC currently yields 0.91% against 3.00% for SCHD.
Holdings Overlap
9.4% of QLC's money is in holdings SCHD also owns. 45.3% of SCHD's money is in holdings QLC also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
24 positions in common, counted across the 157 positions we hold weights for in QLC and 99 in SCHD, against full books of 163 and 206.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 157 and 99 positions we hold weights for.
SCHD holds 74 positions QLC does not, 54.7% of the fund.
Largest: ABT 4.44%, CVX 4.29%, KO 4.26%, COP 4.19%, VZ 4.12%
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in QLC | Weight in SCHD | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| MRKMerck & Company Inc | 0.11% | 4.77% | 4.66% |
| AMGNAmgen Inc. | 0.53% | 4.24% | 3.71% |
| BMYBristol-Myers Squibb Co. | 0.96% | 3.25% | 2.29% |
| HDHome Depot Inc/The | 0.13% | 3.75% | 3.62% |
| MOAltria Group Inc. | 0.86% | 2.88% | 2.02% |
| LMTLockheed Martin Corp | 0.80% | 2.66% | 1.86% |
| QCOMQualcomm Inc. | 0.51% | 2.76% | 2.25% |
| ACNAccenture Plc | 0.27% | 2.83% | 2.56% |
| ADPAutomatic Data Processing, Inc. | 0.24% | 2.68% | 2.44% |
| EOGEog Resources Inc | 0.61% | 1.96% | 1.35% |
45.3% of SCHD is already inside QLC.
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, QLC or SCHD?
QLC has an expense ratio of 0.25% while SCHD charges 0.06%. SCHD is the cheaper option, by $19 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, QLC or SCHD?
Over the past year QLC returned +18.57% vs +26.66% for SCHD, so SCHD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (11 years), QLC annualized +14.19% vs +11.69% for SCHD. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, QLC or SCHD?
QLC has been the more volatile fund at 16.4% annualized versus 15.0% for SCHD. Worst drawdown: QLC -35.9% vs SCHD -33.4%.
Should I hold both QLC and SCHD?
QLC and SCHD have a monthly-return correlation of 0.78, 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 QLC and SCHD?
45.3% of SCHD's money is in holdings QLC also owns. 45.3% of SCHD's is in holdings QLC also owns. They hold 24 positions in common, counted across the 157 positions we hold weights for in QLC and 99 in SCHD.
Which pays a higher dividend, QLC or SCHD?
QLC yields 0.91% while SCHD yields 3.00%, so SCHD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SCHD better than QLC?
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. QLC led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, SCHD over 1Y. QLC is less concentrated, with 35.2% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 41.8%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.