Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) is a ETF from Charles Schwab Asset Management and First Trust SMID Cap Rising Dividend Achievers ETF (SDVY) is a ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US). Over the past year SCHD returned +31.38% while SDVY returned +24.76%. Year to date, SCHD is up 24.26% versus a gain of 15.71% for SDVY.

Over three years, SCHD compounded at +15.08% per year against +15.62% for SDVY; over five years the annualized figures are +9.72% and +10.94% respectively. Across the full 9-year window we track, SCHD has the edge at +11.39% annualized vs +10.83%. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

SDVY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 22.1% compared with 13.6% 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 -33.4% for SCHD and -45.2% for SDVY. Drawdown depth is worth weighing if you expect to sell during market stress rather than ride it out.

The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.88. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.

SCHD charges 0.06% per year while SDVY charges 0.58%. On a $10,000 position that is $6 vs $58 annually, a gap of $52 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SCHD currently yields 3.31% against 0.92% for SDVY.