SCHD vs TAIL
Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF vs Cambria Tail Risk ETF
Which is better, SCHD or TAIL?
Opposite sides of the same exposure.
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. SCHD led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two move opposite each other, correlation -0.66, so holding both offsets the exposure while paying both fees.
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 | TAIL |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.06%Best | 0.59% |
| AUM | $112.1B | $154M |
| Dividend Yield | 3.00% | 3.04% |
| Holdings | 103 | 11 |
| YTD Return | +24.23%Best | -11.98% |
| 1Y Return | +27.90%Best | -14.20% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +15.55%Best | -5.77% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.97%Best | -9.65% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.7% | 11.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -33.4%Best | -54.6% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,083Best | $6,021 |
| Fund Family | Charles Schwab Asset Management | Cambria Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Alternative |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Trading-Inverse Equity |
| Inception | Oct 20, 2011 | Apr 5, 2017 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 6, 2017 to Sep 17, 2026 (9.4 years).
SCHD vs TAIL 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 9.4 years both funds cover.
SCHD vs TAIL Performance
Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) is an ETF from Charles Schwab Asset Management and Cambria Tail Risk ETF (TAIL) is an ETF from Cambria Investment Management. Over the past year SCHD returned +27.90% while TAIL returned -14.20%. Year to date, SCHD is up 24.23% versus a loss of 11.98% for TAIL.
Over three years, SCHD compounded at +15.55% per year against -5.77% for TAIL; over five years the annualized figures are +9.97% and -9.65% respectively. Across the full 9-year window we track, SCHD has the edge at +11.40% annualized vs -7.62%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SCHD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.7% compared with 11.0% for TAIL. 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 -54.6% for TAIL. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at -0.66. They move opposite each other. Holding both offsets the exposure rather than spreading it, while paying both funds' fees.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SCHD charges 0.06% per year while TAIL charges 0.59%. On a $10,000 position that is $6 vs $59 annually, a gap of $53 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SCHD currently yields 3.00% against 3.04% for TAIL.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 100 holdings in SCHD and 2 in TAIL, totalling 100.0% and 93.4% 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 2 in TAIL, against full books of 103 and 11.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SCHD and TAIL 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 TAIL?
SCHD has an expense ratio of 0.06% while TAIL charges 0.59%. SCHD is the cheaper option, by $53 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SCHD or TAIL?
Over the past year SCHD returned +27.90% vs -14.20% for TAIL, so SCHD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (9 years), SCHD annualized +11.40% vs -7.62% for TAIL. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SCHD or TAIL?
SCHD has been the more volatile fund at 15.7% annualized versus 11.0% for TAIL. Worst drawdown: SCHD -33.4% vs TAIL -54.6%.
Should I hold both SCHD and TAIL?
SCHD and TAIL have a monthly-return correlation of -0.66, so they move opposite each other. Holding both offsets the exposure rather than spreading it, and pays both funds' fees on the way. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, SCHD or TAIL?
SCHD yields 3.00% while TAIL yields 3.04%, so TAIL currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is TAIL better than SCHD?
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. SCHD led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two move opposite each other, correlation -0.66, so holding both offsets the exposure while paying both fees. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.