RFFC vs SCHD
ALPS Active Equity Opportunity ETF vs Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF
Which is better, RFFC or SCHD?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. RFFC led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, SCHD over 1Y. RFFC is less concentrated, with 41.0% 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 | RFFC | SCHD |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.48% | 0.06%Best |
| AUM | $32M | $112.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.61% | 3.00% |
| Holdings | 58 | 103 |
| YTD Return | +13.11% | +23.46%Best |
| 1Y Return | +19.88% | +27.20%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.29%Best | +15.41% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.55%Best | +10.16% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.1% | 15.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -36.5% | -33.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,060Best | $16,223 |
| Top 10 Weight | 41.0%Best | 41.8% |
| Fund Family | ALPS Advisors | Charles Schwab Asset Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jun 6, 2016 | Oct 20, 2011 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 7, 2016 to Sep 18, 2026 (10.3 years).
RFFC 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 10.3 years both funds cover.
RFFC vs SCHD Performance
ALPS Active Equity Opportunity ETF (RFFC) 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 RFFC returned +19.88% while SCHD returned +27.20%. Year to date, RFFC is up 13.11% versus a gain of 23.46% for SCHD.
Over three years, RFFC compounded at +21.29% per year against +15.41% for SCHD; over five years the annualized figures are +12.55% and +10.16% respectively. Across the full 10-year window we track, RFFC has the edge at +11.96% annualized vs +11.20%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
RFFC has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.1% compared with 15.1% 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 -36.5% for RFFC 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
RFFC charges 0.48% per year while SCHD charges 0.06%. On a $10,000 position that is $48 vs $6 annually, a gap of $42 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, RFFC currently yields 0.61% against 3.00% for SCHD.
Holdings Overlap
5.0% of RFFC's money is in holdings SCHD also owns. 14.4% of SCHD's money is in holdings RFFC also owns.
SCHD and RFFC share little of their money.
4 positions in common, counted across the 58 positions we hold weights for in RFFC and 100 in SCHD, against full books of 58 and 103.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 95 positions for SCHD that do not appear in our book for RFFC (85.5% of the fund), and 50 for RFFC that do not appear in SCHD (85.0%).
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.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of RFFC 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, RFFC or SCHD?
RFFC has an expense ratio of 0.48% while SCHD charges 0.06%. SCHD is the cheaper option, by $42 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, RFFC or SCHD?
Over the past year RFFC returned +19.88% vs +27.20% for SCHD, so SCHD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (10 years), RFFC annualized +11.96% vs +11.20% for SCHD. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, RFFC or SCHD?
RFFC has been the more volatile fund at 16.1% annualized versus 15.1% for SCHD. Worst drawdown: RFFC -36.5% vs SCHD -33.4%.
Should I hold both RFFC and SCHD?
RFFC 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 RFFC and SCHD?
14.4% of SCHD's money is in holdings RFFC also owns. 14.4% of SCHD's is in holdings RFFC also owns. They hold 4 positions in common, counted across the 58 positions we hold weights for in RFFC and 100 in SCHD.
Which pays a higher dividend, RFFC or SCHD?
RFFC yields 0.61% while SCHD yields 3.00%, so SCHD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SCHD better than RFFC?
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. RFFC led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, SCHD over 1Y. RFFC is less concentrated, with 41.0% 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.