QLDY vs SCHD
Defiance Nasdaq 100 LightningSpread Income ETF vs Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF
Which is better, QLDY or SCHD?
Option Writing against Large Cap Value.
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. SCHD led 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 | QLDY | SCHD |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.04% | 0.06%Best |
| AUM | $50M | $112.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 41.67% | 3.00% |
| Holdings | 15 | 103 |
| YTD Return | +12.16% | +24.59%Best |
| 1Y Return | +14.88% | +28.14%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +15.58% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +9.90% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 26.6% | 13.4%Best |
| Fund Family | Defiance ETFs, LLC | Charles Schwab Asset Management |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Option Writing | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Sep 17, 2025 | Oct 20, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Max Drawdown, $10,000 over the window, Top 10 Weight.
QLDY 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
QLDY vs SCHD Performance
Defiance Nasdaq 100 LightningSpread Income ETF (QLDY) is an ETF from Defiance ETFs, LLC and Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) is an ETF from Charles Schwab Asset Management. Over the past year QLDY returned +14.88% while SCHD returned +28.14%. Year to date, QLDY is up 12.16% versus a gain of 24.59% for SCHD.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QLDY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 26.6% compared with 13.4% for SCHD. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.08. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
QLDY charges 1.04% per year while SCHD charges 0.06%. On a $10,000 position that is $104 vs $6 annually, a gap of $98 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, QLDY currently yields 41.67% against 3.00% for SCHD.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 2 holdings in QLDY and 100 in SCHD, totalling 5.5% and 100.0% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 2 positions we hold weights for in QLDY and 100 in SCHD, against full books of 15 and 103.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of QLDY 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, QLDY or SCHD?
QLDY has an expense ratio of 1.04% while SCHD charges 0.06%. SCHD is the cheaper option, by $98 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, QLDY or SCHD?
Over the past year QLDY returned +14.88% 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, QLDY or SCHD?
QLDY has been the more volatile fund at 26.6% annualized versus 13.4% for SCHD.
Should I hold both QLDY and SCHD?
QLDY and SCHD have a monthly-return correlation of 0.08, 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, QLDY or SCHD?
QLDY yields 41.67% while SCHD yields 3.00%, so QLDY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SCHD better than QLDY?
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. SCHD led over 1Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.