SCHD vs ULST
Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF vs State Street Ultra Short Term Bond ETF
Which is better, SCHD or ULST?
Large Cap Value against Ultrashort Term Bond.
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 | ULST |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.06%Best | 0.20% |
| AUM | $112.1B | $513M |
| Dividend Yield | 3.00% | 4.18% |
| Holdings | 103 | 309 |
| YTD Return | +23.60%Best | +2.12% |
| 1Y Return | +28.29%Best | +3.24% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.25%Best | +4.65% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.25%Best | +3.60% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.3% | 1.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -33.4% | -6.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,289Best | $11,934 |
| Fund Family | Charles Schwab Asset Management | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Fixed Income |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Ultrashort Term Bond |
| Inception | Oct 20, 2011 | Oct 9, 2013 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 10, 2013 to Sep 21, 2026 (12.9 years).
SCHD vs ULST 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 ULST Performance
Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) is an ETF from Charles Schwab Asset Management and State Street Ultra Short Term Bond ETF (ULST) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year SCHD returned +28.29% while ULST returned +3.24%. Year to date, SCHD is up 23.60% versus a gain of 2.12% for ULST.
Over three years, SCHD compounded at +16.25% per year against +4.65% for ULST; over five years the annualized figures are +10.25% and +3.60% respectively. Across the full 13-year window we track, SCHD has the edge at +10.46% annualized vs +1.48%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SCHD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.3% compared with 1.5% for ULST. 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 -6.3% for ULST. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.37. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SCHD charges 0.06% per year while ULST charges 0.20%. On a $10,000 position that is $6 vs $20 annually, a gap of $14 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SCHD currently yields 3.00% against 4.18% for ULST.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 100 holdings in SCHD and 10 in ULST, totalling 100.0% and 4.3% 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 10 in ULST, against full books of 103 and 309.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SCHD and ULST 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 ULST?
SCHD has an expense ratio of 0.06% while ULST charges 0.20%. SCHD is the cheaper option, by $14 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SCHD or ULST?
Over the past year SCHD returned +28.29% vs +3.24% for ULST, so SCHD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (13 years), SCHD annualized +10.46% vs +1.48% for ULST. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SCHD or ULST?
SCHD has been the more volatile fund at 14.3% annualized versus 1.5% for ULST. Worst drawdown: SCHD -33.4% vs ULST -6.3%.
Should I hold both SCHD and ULST?
SCHD and ULST have a monthly-return correlation of 0.37, 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 ULST?
SCHD yields 3.00% while ULST yields 4.18%, so ULST currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is ULST 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.