QLV vs SCHD
Northern Trust US Quality Low Volatility ETF vs Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF
Which is better, QLV or SCHD?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. SCHD led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. QLV is less concentrated, with 35.8% 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 | QLV | SCHD |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.08% | 0.06%Best |
| AUM | $167M | $112.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.49% | 3.00% |
| Holdings | 122 | 103 |
| YTD Return | +10.85% | +24.96%Best |
| 1Y Return | +13.33% | +28.75%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +15.67% | +15.71%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.76% | +9.86%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.6%Best | 16.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -34.0% | -33.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,930 | $16,003Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 35.8%Best | 41.8% |
| Fund Family | Northern Trust Asset Management | Charles Schwab Asset Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jul 15, 2019 | Oct 20, 2011 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 16, 2019 to Sep 9, 2026 (7.2 years).
QLV 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 7.2 years both funds cover.
QLV vs SCHD Performance
Northern Trust US Quality Low Volatility ETF (QLV) 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 QLV returned +13.33% while SCHD returned +28.75%. Year to date, QLV is up 10.85% versus a gain of 24.96% for SCHD.
Over three years, QLV compounded at +15.67% per year against +15.71% for SCHD; over five years the annualized figures are +9.76% and +9.86% respectively. Across the full 7-year window we track, SCHD has the edge at +12.29% annualized vs +11.28%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SCHD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.3% compared with 13.6% for QLV. 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 -34.0% for QLV 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 0.84. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
QLV charges 0.08% per year while SCHD charges 0.06%. On a $10,000 position that is $8 vs $6 annually, a gap of $2 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, QLV currently yields 1.49% against 3.00% for SCHD.
Holdings Overlap
11.5% of QLV's money is in holdings SCHD also owns. 41.7% of SCHD's money is in holdings QLV also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
14 positions in common, counted across the 120 positions we hold weights for in QLV and 100 in SCHD, against full books of 122 and 103.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 85 positions for SCHD that do not appear in our book for QLV (58.2% of the fund), and 98 for QLV that do not appear in SCHD (83.7%).
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 QLV | Weight in SCHD | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| MRKMerck & Co. Inc. | 1.26% | 4.77% | 3.51% |
| KOCoca Cola Co. | 1.19% | 4.17% | 2.98% |
| PGProcter & Gamble Company | 1.17% | 3.83% | 2.66% |
| PEPPepsico Inc. | 1.32% | 3.64% | 2.32% |
| CVXChevron Corp. | 0.83% | 4.02% | 3.19% |
| VZVerizon Communications, Inc. | 0.79% | 3.97% | 3.18% |
| COPConocophillips Co | 0.73% | 3.94% | 3.21% |
| HDHome Depot Inc/The | 0.26% | 3.88% | 3.62% |
| TXNTexas Instruments, Inc | 0.69% | 3.13% | 2.44% |
| LMTLockheed Martin Corp | 0.86% | 2.78% | 1.92% |
41.7% of SCHD is already inside QLV.
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, QLV or SCHD?
QLV has an expense ratio of 0.08% while SCHD charges 0.06%. SCHD is the cheaper option, by $2 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, QLV or SCHD?
Over the past year QLV returned +13.33% vs +28.75% for SCHD, so SCHD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (7 years), QLV annualized +11.28% vs +12.29% for SCHD. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, QLV or SCHD?
SCHD has been the more volatile fund at 16.3% annualized versus 13.6% for QLV. Worst drawdown: QLV -34.0% vs SCHD -33.4%.
Should I hold both QLV and SCHD?
QLV and SCHD have a monthly-return correlation of 0.84, 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 QLV and SCHD?
41.7% of SCHD's money is in holdings QLV also owns. 41.7% of SCHD's is in holdings QLV also owns. They hold 14 positions in common, counted across the 120 positions we hold weights for in QLV and 100 in SCHD.
Which pays a higher dividend, QLV or SCHD?
QLV yields 1.49% while SCHD yields 3.00%, so SCHD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SCHD better than QLV?
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. SCHD led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. QLV is less concentrated, with 35.8% 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.