SCHD vs UCON
Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF vs First Trust Smith Unconstrained Bond ETF
Which is better, SCHD or UCON?
Large Cap Value against Short Term Low Quality.
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. SCHD led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y 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 | UCON |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.06%Best | 0.86% |
| AUM | $112.1B | $3.3B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.00% | 5.20% |
| Holdings | 103 | 951 |
| YTD Return | +25.84%Best | -0.60% |
| 1Y Return | +30.18%Best | +0.67% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.08%Best | +5.08% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.97%Best | +2.41% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.4% | 4.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -33.4% | -15.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,083Best | $11,264 |
| Fund Family | Charles Schwab Asset Management | First Trust Portfolios (US) |
| Category | Equity | Fixed Income |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Short Term Low Quality |
| Inception | Oct 20, 2011 | Jun 4, 2018 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 5, 2018 to Sep 15, 2026 (8.3 years).
SCHD vs UCON 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 8.3 years both funds cover.
SCHD vs UCON Performance
Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) is an ETF from Charles Schwab Asset Management and First Trust Smith Unconstrained Bond ETF (UCON) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US). Over the past year SCHD returned +30.18% while UCON returned +0.67%. Year to date, SCHD is up 25.84% versus a loss of 0.60% for UCON.
Over three years, SCHD compounded at +16.08% per year against +5.08% for UCON; over five years the annualized figures are +9.97% and +2.41% respectively. Across the full 8-year window we track, SCHD has the edge at +11.64% annualized vs +2.37%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SCHD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.4% compared with 4.5% for UCON. 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 -15.3% for UCON. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.59. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SCHD charges 0.06% per year while UCON charges 0.86%. On a $10,000 position that is $6 vs $86 annually, a gap of $80 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SCHD currently yields 3.00% against 5.20% for UCON.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 100 holdings in SCHD and 243 in UCON, totalling 100.0% and 42.7% 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 243 in UCON, against full books of 103 and 951.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SCHD and UCON 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 UCON?
SCHD has an expense ratio of 0.06% while UCON charges 0.86%. SCHD is the cheaper option, by $80 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SCHD or UCON?
Over the past year SCHD returned +30.18% vs +0.67% for UCON, so SCHD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (8 years), SCHD annualized +11.64% vs +2.37% for UCON. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SCHD or UCON?
SCHD has been the more volatile fund at 16.4% annualized versus 4.5% for UCON. Worst drawdown: SCHD -33.4% vs UCON -15.3%.
Should I hold both SCHD and UCON?
SCHD and UCON have a monthly-return correlation of 0.59, 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 UCON?
SCHD yields 3.00% while UCON yields 5.20%, so UCON currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is UCON better than SCHD?
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. SCHD led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.