ROBT vs SCHD
First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence and Robotics ETF vs Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF
Which is better, ROBT or SCHD?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Value.
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. SCHD led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. ROBT is less concentrated, with 20.0% 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 | ROBT | SCHD |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.65% | 0.06%Best |
| AUM | $770M | $112.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.02% | 3.00% |
| Holdings | 244 | 103 |
| YTD Return | +14.72% | +23.68%Best |
| 1Y Return | +11.12% | +28.36%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +14.64% | +16.20%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +1.87% | +10.07%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 23.5% | 16.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -44.5% | -33.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $10,971 | $16,156Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 20.0%Best | 41.8% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Charles Schwab Asset Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Feb 21, 2018 | Oct 20, 2011 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 22, 2018 to Sep 22, 2026 (8.6 years).
ROBT 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 8.6 years both funds cover.
ROBT vs SCHD Performance
First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence and Robotics ETF (ROBT) 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 ROBT returned +11.12% while SCHD returned +28.36%. Year to date, ROBT is up 14.72% versus a gain of 23.68% for SCHD.
Over three years, ROBT compounded at +14.64% per year against +16.20% for SCHD; over five years the annualized figures are +1.87% and +10.07% respectively. Across the full 9-year window we track, SCHD has the edge at +10.97% annualized vs +8.61%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ROBT has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 23.5% compared with 16.2% 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 -44.5% for ROBT 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 0.67. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ROBT charges 0.65% per year while SCHD charges 0.06%. On a $10,000 position that is $65 vs $6 annually, a gap of $59 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ROBT currently yields 0.02% against 3.00% for SCHD.
Holdings Overlap
0.5% of ROBT's money is in holdings SCHD also owns. 2.5% of SCHD's money is in holdings ROBT also owns.
SCHD and ROBT share little of their money.
1 positions in common, counted across the 114 positions we hold weights for in ROBT and 100 in SCHD, against full books of 244 and 103.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 98 positions for SCHD that do not appear in our book for ROBT (97.4% of the fund), and 73 for ROBT that do not appear in SCHD (70.8%).
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 ROBT | Weight in SCHD | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| QCOMQualcomm Inc. | 0.49% | 2.52% | 2.03% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of ROBT 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, ROBT or SCHD?
ROBT has an expense ratio of 0.65% while SCHD charges 0.06%. SCHD is the cheaper option, by $59 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ROBT or SCHD?
Over the past year ROBT returned +11.12% vs +28.36% for SCHD, so SCHD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (9 years), ROBT annualized +8.61% vs +10.97% for SCHD. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ROBT or SCHD?
ROBT has been the more volatile fund at 23.5% annualized versus 16.2% for SCHD. Worst drawdown: ROBT -44.5% vs SCHD -33.4%.
Should I hold both ROBT and SCHD?
ROBT and SCHD have a monthly-return correlation of 0.67, 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 ROBT and SCHD?
2.5% of SCHD's money is in holdings ROBT also owns. 2.5% of SCHD's is in holdings ROBT also owns. They hold 1 positions in common, counted across the 114 positions we hold weights for in ROBT and 100 in SCHD.
Which pays a higher dividend, ROBT or SCHD?
ROBT yields 0.02% while SCHD yields 3.00%, so SCHD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SCHD better than ROBT?
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. SCHD led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. ROBT is less concentrated, with 20.0% 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.