QUS vs SCHD
State Street SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF vs Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF
Which is better, QUS or SCHD?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. QUS led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, SCHD over 1Y. QUS is less concentrated, with 22.0% 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 | QUS | SCHD |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.15% | 0.06%Best |
| AUM | $1.6B | $112.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.25% | 3.00% |
| Holdings | 529 | 103 |
| YTD Return | +10.56% | +21.33%Best |
| 1Y Return | +14.34% | +25.15%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +17.95%Best | +15.43% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.90%Best | +9.32% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.9%Best | 14.9% |
| Max Drawdown | -33.8% | -33.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,775Best | $15,613 |
| Top 10 Weight | 22.0%Best | 41.8% |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | Charles Schwab Asset Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Apr 15, 2015 | Oct 20, 2011 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 16, 2015 to Sep 24, 2026 (11.4 years).
QUS 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 11.4 years both funds cover.
QUS vs SCHD Performance
State Street SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF (QUS) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management and Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) is an ETF from Charles Schwab Asset Management. Over the past year QUS returned +14.34% while SCHD returned +25.15%. Year to date, QUS is up 10.56% versus a gain of 21.33% for SCHD.
Over three years, QUS compounded at +17.95% per year against +15.43% for SCHD; over five years the annualized figures are +10.90% and +9.32% respectively. Across the full 11-year window we track, QUS has the edge at +11.48% annualized vs +10.12%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SCHD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.9% compared with 13.9% for QUS. 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 -33.8% for QUS 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 0.89. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
QUS charges 0.15% per year while SCHD charges 0.06%. On a $10,000 position that is $15 vs $6 annually, a gap of $9 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, QUS currently yields 1.25% against 3.00% for SCHD.
Holdings Overlap
11.8% of QUS's money is in holdings SCHD also owns. 91.8% of SCHD's money is in holdings QUS also owns.
Most of SCHD is already inside QUS. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
44 positions in common, counted across the 513 positions we hold weights for in QUS and 100 in SCHD, against full books of 529 and 103.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 55 positions for SCHD that do not appear in our book for QUS (8.1% of the fund), and 432 for QUS that do not appear in SCHD (86.7%).
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 QUS | Weight in SCHD | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| MRKMerck & Company Inc | 1.46% | 4.77% | 3.31% |
| KOCoca Cola Co. | 1.16% | 4.17% | 3.01% |
| ABTAbbott Laboratories | 0.41% | 4.69% | 4.28% |
| PGProcter & Gamble Company | 1.13% | 3.83% | 2.70% |
| AMGNAmgen Inc. | 0.25% | 4.70% | 4.45% |
| VZVerizon Communic | 0.82% | 3.97% | 3.15% |
| CVXChevron Corp | 0.58% | 4.02% | 3.44% |
| PEPPepsico Inc. | 0.72% | 3.64% | 2.92% |
| UNHUnitedhealth Group Incorporated | 0.53% | 3.82% | 3.29% |
| COPConocophillips Common Stock USD 0.01 | 0.38% | 3.94% | 3.56% |
91.8% of SCHD is already inside QUS.
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, QUS or SCHD?
QUS has an expense ratio of 0.15% while SCHD charges 0.06%. SCHD is the cheaper option, by $9 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, QUS or SCHD?
Over the past year QUS returned +14.34% vs +25.15% for SCHD, so SCHD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (11 years), QUS annualized +11.48% vs +10.12% for SCHD. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, QUS or SCHD?
SCHD has been the more volatile fund at 14.9% annualized versus 13.9% for QUS. Worst drawdown: QUS -33.8% vs SCHD -33.4%.
Should I hold both QUS and SCHD?
QUS and SCHD have a monthly-return correlation of 0.89, 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 QUS and SCHD?
91.8% of SCHD's money is in holdings QUS also owns. 91.8% of SCHD's is in holdings QUS also owns. They hold 44 positions in common, counted across the 513 positions we hold weights for in QUS and 100 in SCHD.
Which pays a higher dividend, QUS or SCHD?
QUS yields 1.25% while SCHD yields 3.00%, so SCHD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SCHD better than QUS?
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. QUS led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, SCHD over 1Y. QUS is less concentrated, with 22.0% 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.