REIT vs SCHD
ALPS Active REIT ETF vs Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF
Which is better, REIT or SCHD?
All Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. SCHD led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. SCHD is less concentrated, with 41.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 55.2%.
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 | REIT | SCHD |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.68% | 0.06%Best |
| AUM | $57M | $112.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.66% | 3.13% |
| Holdings | 30 | 103 |
| YTD Return | +15.83% | +26.13%Best |
| 1Y Return | +15.41% | +30.01%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +10.84% | +16.09%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +3.50% | +9.95%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.9% | 14.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -29.3% | -16.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $11,877 | $16,069Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 55.2% | 41.5%Best |
| Fund Family | ALPS Advisors | Charles Schwab Asset Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | All Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Feb 24, 2021 | Oct 20, 2011 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 26, 2021 to Sep 8, 2026 (5.5 years).
REIT 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 5.5 years both funds cover.
REIT vs SCHD Performance
ALPS Active REIT ETF (REIT) is an ETF from ALPS Advisors and Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) is an ETF from Charles Schwab Asset Management. Over the past year REIT returned +15.41% while SCHD returned +30.01%. Year to date, REIT is up 15.83% versus a gain of 26.13% for SCHD.
Over three years, REIT compounded at +10.84% per year against +16.09% for SCHD; over five years the annualized figures are +3.50% and +9.95% respectively. Across the full 6-year window we track, SCHD has the edge at +11.84% annualized vs +7.31%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
REIT has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.9% compared with 14.6% 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 -29.3% for REIT and -16.9% 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 0.77. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
REIT charges 0.68% per year while SCHD charges 0.06%. On a $10,000 position that is $68 vs $6 annually, a gap of $62 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, REIT currently yields 2.66% against 3.13% for SCHD.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 29 holdings in REIT and 100 in SCHD, totalling 98.7% 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 29 positions we hold weights for in REIT and 100 in SCHD, against full books of 30 and 103.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 29 and 100 positions we hold weights for.
SCHD holds 98 positions REIT does not, 99.7% of the fund.
Largest: ABT 4.70%, AMGN 4.62%, HD 4.32%, MRK 4.26%, KO 4.20%
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of REIT 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, REIT or SCHD?
REIT has an expense ratio of 0.68% while SCHD charges 0.06%. SCHD is the cheaper option, by $62 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, REIT or SCHD?
Over the past year REIT returned +15.41% vs +30.01% for SCHD, so SCHD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (6 years), REIT annualized +7.31% vs +11.84% for SCHD. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, REIT or SCHD?
REIT has been the more volatile fund at 17.9% annualized versus 14.6% for SCHD. Worst drawdown: REIT -29.3% vs SCHD -16.9%.
Should I hold both REIT and SCHD?
REIT and SCHD have a monthly-return correlation of 0.77, 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, REIT or SCHD?
REIT yields 2.66% while SCHD yields 3.13%, so SCHD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SCHD better than REIT?
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. SCHD led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. SCHD is less concentrated, with 41.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 55.2%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.