SCHD vs SQMX
Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF vs FT Vest US Equity Quarterly Max Buffer ETF
Which is better, SCHD or SQMX?
Large Cap Value against Multi Alternative.
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. SCHD led over 1Y and 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 | SQMX |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.06%Best | 0.85% |
| AUM | $112.1B | $55M |
| Dividend Yield | 3.00% | 0.00% |
| Holdings | 103 | 10 |
| YTD Return | +23.68%Best | +4.58% |
| 1Y Return | +28.36%Best | +7.30% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.20% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.07% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.3% | 2.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -14.0% | -7.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.7 years | $12,930Best | $11,292 |
| Fund Family | Charles Schwab Asset Management | First Trust Portfolios (US) |
| Category | Equity | Alternative |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Multi Alternative |
| Inception | Oct 20, 2011 | Dec 20, 2024 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.7 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 23, 2024 to Sep 22, 2026 (1.7 years).
SCHD vs SQMX 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 1.7 years both funds cover.
SCHD vs SQMX Performance
Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) is an ETF from Charles Schwab Asset Management and FT Vest US Equity Quarterly Max Buffer ETF (SQMX) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US). Over the past year SCHD returned +28.36% while SQMX returned +7.30%. Year to date, SCHD is up 23.68% versus a gain of 4.58% for SQMX.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SCHD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.3% compared with 2.8% for SQMX. 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 -14.0% for SCHD and -7.4% for SQMX. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.28. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SCHD charges 0.06% per year while SQMX charges 0.85%. On a $10,000 position that is $6 vs $85 annually, a gap of $79 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SCHD currently yields 3.00% against 0.00% for SQMX.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SCHD and SQMX 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 SQMX?
SCHD has an expense ratio of 0.06% while SQMX charges 0.85%. SCHD is the cheaper option, by $79 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SCHD or SQMX?
Over the past year SCHD returned +28.36% vs +7.30% for SQMX, so SCHD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), SCHD annualized +16.32% vs +7.41% for SQMX. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SCHD or SQMX?
SCHD has been the more volatile fund at 13.3% annualized versus 2.8% for SQMX. Worst drawdown: SCHD -14.0% vs SQMX -7.4%.
Should I hold both SCHD and SQMX?
SCHD and SQMX have a monthly-return correlation of 0.28, 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 SQMX?
SCHD yields 3.00% while SQMX yields 0.00%, so SCHD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SQMX better than SCHD?
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. SCHD led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.