SCHD vs SPCL
Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF vs Defiance Daily 2X Space ETF
Which is better, SCHD or SPCL?
Large Cap Value against Trading-Leveraged Equity.
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. SCHD led over 1Y, SPCL over the full window.
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 | SCHD | SPCL |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.06%Best | 1.31% |
| AUM | $112.1B | $14M |
| Dividend Yield | 3.00% | 0.00% |
| Holdings | 103 | 28 |
| YTD Return | +23.60%Best | -25.62% |
| 1Y Return | +28.29%Best | -25.62% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.25% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.25% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.4%Best | 5867156.8% |
| Max Drawdown | -33.4% | - |
| $10,000 over 12.6 years | $34,274 | $348,988Best |
| Fund Family | Charles Schwab Asset Management | Defiance ETFs, LLC |
| Category | Equity | Alternative |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Trading-Leveraged Equity |
| Inception | Oct 20, 2011 | Apr 7, 2026 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 12.6 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 18, 2014 to Sep 21, 2026 (12.6 years).
SCHD vs SPCL 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
SCHD vs SPCL Performance
Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) is an ETF from Charles Schwab Asset Management and Defiance Daily 2X Space ETF (SPCL) is an ETF from Defiance ETFs, LLC. Over the past year SCHD returned +28.29% while SPCL returned -25.62%. Year to date, SCHD is up 23.60% versus a loss of 25.62% for SPCL.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SPCL has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 5867156.8% compared with 14.4% for SCHD. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.17. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SCHD charges 0.06% per year while SPCL charges 1.31%. On a $10,000 position that is $6 vs $131 annually, a gap of $125 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SCHD currently yields 3.00% against 0.00% for SPCL.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 100 holdings in SCHD and 1 in SPCL, totalling 100.0% and 9.0% 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 100 positions we hold weights for in SCHD and 1 in SPCL, against full books of 103 and 28.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SCHD and SPCL 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, SCHD or SPCL?
SCHD has an expense ratio of 0.06% while SPCL charges 1.31%. SCHD is the cheaper option, by $125 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SCHD or SPCL?
Over the past year SCHD returned +28.29% vs -25.62% for SPCL, so SCHD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (13 years), SCHD annualized +10.27% vs +32.57% for SPCL. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SCHD or SPCL?
SPCL has been the more volatile fund at 5867156.8% annualized versus 14.4% for SCHD.
Should I hold both SCHD and SPCL?
SCHD and SPCL have a monthly-return correlation of 0.17, 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, SCHD or SPCL?
SCHD yields 3.00% while SPCL yields 0.00%, so SCHD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPCL better than SCHD?
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. SCHD led over 1Y, SPCL over the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.