RDVY vs SCHD
First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF vs Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF
Which is better, RDVY or SCHD?
Each has led over a different period.
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. RDVY led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, SCHD over 1Y. RDVY is less concentrated, with 23.7% 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 | RDVY | SCHD |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.47% | 0.06%Best |
| AUM | $25.2B | $112.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.83% | 3.00% |
| Holdings | 144 | 103 |
| YTD Return | +13.57% | +23.46%Best |
| 1Y Return | +19.58% | +27.20%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.64%Best | +15.41% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.77%Best | +10.16% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.8% | 14.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -40.6% | -33.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,238Best | $16,223 |
| Top 10 Weight | 23.7%Best | 41.8% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Charles Schwab Asset Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jan 6, 2014 | Oct 20, 2011 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 7, 2014 to Sep 18, 2026 (12.7 years).
RDVY 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 12.7 years both funds cover.
RDVY vs SCHD Performance
First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF (RDVY) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) is an ETF from Charles Schwab Asset Management. Over the past year RDVY returned +19.58% while SCHD returned +27.20%. Year to date, RDVY is up 13.57% versus a gain of 23.46% for SCHD.
Over three years, RDVY compounded at +20.64% per year against +15.41% for SCHD; over five years the annualized figures are +12.77% and +10.16% respectively. Across the full 13-year window we track, RDVY has the edge at +12.20% annualized vs +10.03%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
RDVY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.8% compared with 14.4% 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 -40.6% for RDVY 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 0.87. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
RDVY charges 0.47% per year while SCHD charges 0.06%. On a $10,000 position that is $47 vs $6 annually, a gap of $41 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, RDVY currently yields 0.83% against 3.00% for SCHD.
Holdings Overlap
8.6% of RDVY's money is in holdings SCHD also owns. 9.7% of SCHD's money is in holdings RDVY also owns.
SCHD and RDVY share little of their money.
6 positions in common, counted across the 71 positions we hold weights for in RDVY and 100 in SCHD, against full books of 144 and 103.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 93 positions for SCHD that do not appear in our book for RDVY (90.3% of the fund), and 64 for RDVY that do not appear in SCHD (89.7%).
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
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of RDVY 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, RDVY or SCHD?
RDVY has an expense ratio of 0.47% while SCHD charges 0.06%. SCHD is the cheaper option, by $41 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, RDVY or SCHD?
Over the past year RDVY returned +19.58% vs +27.20% for SCHD, so SCHD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (13 years), RDVY annualized +12.20% vs +10.03% for SCHD. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, RDVY or SCHD?
RDVY has been the more volatile fund at 17.8% annualized versus 14.4% for SCHD. Worst drawdown: RDVY -40.6% vs SCHD -33.4%.
Should I hold both RDVY and SCHD?
RDVY and SCHD have a monthly-return correlation of 0.87, 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 RDVY and SCHD?
9.7% of SCHD's money is in holdings RDVY also owns. 9.7% of SCHD's is in holdings RDVY also owns. They hold 6 positions in common, counted across the 71 positions we hold weights for in RDVY and 100 in SCHD.
Which pays a higher dividend, RDVY or SCHD?
RDVY yields 0.83% while SCHD yields 3.00%, so SCHD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SCHD better than RDVY?
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. RDVY led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, SCHD over 1Y. RDVY is less concentrated, with 23.7% 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.