SCHD vs USAI
Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF vs Pacer American Energy Infrastructure ETF
Which is better, SCHD or USAI?
Large Cap Value against Mid Cap Value.
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. SCHD led over 1Y, USAI over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. SCHD is less concentrated, with 41.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 61.7%.
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 | USAI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.06%Best | 0.75% |
| AUM | $112.1B | $121M |
| Dividend Yield | 3.00% | 4.01% |
| Holdings | 103 | 37 |
| YTD Return | +21.99%Best | +20.73% |
| 1Y Return | +25.92%Best | +18.87% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +15.66% | +23.10%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.48% | +19.27%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.3%Best | 28.5% |
| Max Drawdown | -33.4%Best | -69.3% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,728 | $24,135Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 41.8%Best | 61.7% |
| Fund Family | Charles Schwab Asset Management | Pacer ETFs |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Mid Cap Value |
| Inception | Oct 20, 2011 | Dec 12, 2017 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 13, 2017 to Sep 23, 2026 (8.8 years).
SCHD vs USAI 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 8.8 years both funds cover.
SCHD vs USAI Performance
Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) is an ETF from Charles Schwab Asset Management and Pacer American Energy Infrastructure ETF (USAI) is an ETF from Pacer ETFs. Over the past year SCHD returned +25.92% while USAI returned +18.87%. Year to date, SCHD is up 21.99% versus a gain of 20.73% for USAI.
Over three years, SCHD compounded at +15.66% per year against +23.10% for USAI; over five years the annualized figures are +9.48% and +19.27% respectively. Across the full 9-year window we track, USAI has the edge at +10.54% annualized vs +10.35%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
USAI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 28.5% compared with 16.3% for SCHD. 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 -69.3% for USAI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.75. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SCHD charges 0.06% per year while USAI charges 0.75%. On a $10,000 position that is $6 vs $75 annually, a gap of $69 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SCHD currently yields 3.00% against 4.01% for USAI.
Holdings Overlap
1.5% of SCHD's money is in holdings USAI also owns. 4.4% of USAI's money is in holdings SCHD also owns.
USAI and SCHD share little of their money.
1 positions in common, counted across the 100 positions we hold weights for in SCHD and 35 in USAI, against full books of 103 and 37.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 28 positions for USAI that do not appear in our book for SCHD (75.0% of the fund), and 98 for SCHD that do not appear in USAI (98.5%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in SCHD | Weight in USAI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| OKEOneok Inc. | 1.47% | 4.44% | 2.97% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SCHD and USAI 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 USAI?
SCHD has an expense ratio of 0.06% while USAI charges 0.75%. SCHD is the cheaper option, by $69 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SCHD or USAI?
Over the past year SCHD returned +25.92% vs +18.87% for USAI, so SCHD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (9 years), SCHD annualized +10.35% vs +10.54% for USAI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SCHD or USAI?
USAI has been the more volatile fund at 28.5% annualized versus 16.3% for SCHD. Worst drawdown: SCHD -33.4% vs USAI -69.3%.
Should I hold both SCHD and USAI?
SCHD and USAI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.75, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between SCHD and USAI?
4.4% of USAI's money is in holdings SCHD also owns. 4.4% of USAI's is in holdings SCHD also owns. They hold 1 positions in common, counted across the 100 positions we hold weights for in SCHD and 35 in USAI.
Which pays a higher dividend, SCHD or USAI?
SCHD yields 3.00% while USAI yields 4.01%, so USAI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is USAI better than SCHD?
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. SCHD led over 1Y, USAI over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. SCHD is less concentrated, with 41.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 61.7%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.