SAA vs SCHD
ProShares Ultra SmallCap600 vs Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF
Which is better, SAA or SCHD?
Multi Alternative against Large Cap Value.
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. SAA led over 3Y and the full window, SCHD over 1Y and 5Y.
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 | SAA | SCHD |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.95% | 0.06%Best |
| AUM | $28M | $112.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.79% | 3.00% |
| Holdings | 607 | 103 |
| YTD Return | +26.37%Best | +23.60% |
| 1Y Return | +28.21% | +28.29%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.72%Best | +16.25% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +3.81% | +10.25%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 38.1% | 13.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -74.7% | -33.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $12,056 | $16,289Best |
| Fund Family | ProShares | Charles Schwab Asset Management |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jan 23, 2007 | Oct 20, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 20, 2011 to Sep 21, 2026 (14.9 years).
SAA 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 14.9 years both funds cover.
SAA vs SCHD Performance
ProShares Ultra SmallCap600 (SAA) is an ETF from ProShares and Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) is an ETF from Charles Schwab Asset Management. Over the past year SAA returned +28.21% while SCHD returned +28.29%. Year to date, SAA is up 26.37% versus a gain of 23.60% for SCHD.
Over three years, SAA compounded at +20.72% per year against +16.25% for SCHD; over five years the annualized figures are +3.81% and +10.25% respectively. Across the full 15-year window we track, SAA has the edge at +16.12% annualized vs +11.25%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SAA has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 38.1% compared with 13.7% 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 -74.7% for SAA 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 0.80. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SAA charges 0.95% per year while SCHD charges 0.06%. On a $10,000 position that is $95 vs $6 annually, a gap of $89 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SAA currently yields 0.79% against 3.00% for SCHD.
Holdings Overlap
At least 1.2% of SCHD's money is in holdings SAA also owns.
Stated as a floor: for SAA, our book for it covers 74.0% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
SCHD and SAA share little of their money.
22 positions in common, counted across the 595 positions we hold weights for in SAA and 100 in SCHD, against full books of 607 and 103.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in SAA | Weight in SCHD | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| MCMoelis & Co_None_0 | 0.21% | 0.12% | 0.09% |
| KFYKorn Ferry | 0.19% | 0.11% | 0.08% |
| RHIRobert Half International Inc. | 0.19% | 0.11% | 0.08% |
| CVBFCvb Financial Corp. | 0.16% | 0.09% | 0.07% |
| APAMArtisan Partners Asset Management, Inc. | 0.13% | 0.07% | 0.06% |
| BANRBanner Corp_None_0 | 0.10% | 0.06% | 0.04% |
| CNSCohen & Steers Inc | 0.09% | 0.05% | 0.04% |
| IPARInter Parfums Inc | 0.09% | 0.05% | 0.04% |
| OFG:PROfg Bancorp Common Stock | 0.09% | 0.05% | 0.04% |
| WUWestern Union Co (The) | 0.09% | 0.05% | 0.04% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SAA 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, SAA or SCHD?
SAA has an expense ratio of 0.95% while SCHD charges 0.06%. SCHD is the cheaper option, by $89 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SAA or SCHD?
Over the past year SAA returned +28.21% vs +28.29% for SCHD, so SCHD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (15 years), SAA annualized +16.12% vs +11.25% for SCHD. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SAA or SCHD?
SAA has been the more volatile fund at 38.1% annualized versus 13.7% for SCHD. Worst drawdown: SAA -74.7% vs SCHD -33.4%.
Should I hold both SAA and SCHD?
SAA and SCHD have a monthly-return correlation of 0.80, 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 SAA and SCHD?
At least 1.2% of SCHD's money is in holdings SAA also owns. Our book for SAA is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 22 positions in common, counted across the 595 positions we hold weights for in SAA and 100 in SCHD.
Which pays a higher dividend, SAA or SCHD?
SAA yields 0.79% while SCHD yields 3.00%, so SCHD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SCHD better than SAA?
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. SAA led over 3Y and the full window, SCHD over 1Y and 5Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.