SCHD vs USO
Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF vs United States Oil Fund
Which is better, SCHD or USO?
Large Cap Value against Energy.
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. SCHD led over the full window, USO over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y.
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 | USO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.06%Best | 0.86% |
| AUM | $112.1B | $1.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.00% | 0.00% |
| Holdings | 103 | 7 |
| YTD Return | +21.33% | +122.00%Best |
| 1Y Return | +25.15% | +100.41%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +15.43% | +23.97%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.32% | +24.19%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.7%Best | 38.7% |
| Max Drawdown | -33.4%Best | -94.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,613 | $29,542Best |
| Fund Family | Charles Schwab Asset Management | USCF Investments |
| Category | Equity | Commodity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Energy |
| Inception | Oct 20, 2011 | Apr 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 20, 2011 to Sep 24, 2026 (14.9 years).
SCHD vs USO 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 14.9 years both funds cover.
SCHD vs USO Performance
Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) is an ETF from Charles Schwab Asset Management and United States Oil Fund (USO) is an ETF from USCF Investments. Over the past year SCHD returned +25.15% while USO returned +100.41%. Year to date, SCHD is up 21.33% versus a gain of 122.00% for USO.
Over three years, SCHD compounded at +15.43% per year against +23.97% for USO; over five years the annualized figures are +9.32% and +24.19% respectively. Across the full 15-year window we track, SCHD has the edge at +11.11% annualized vs -3.65%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
USO has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 38.7% compared with 13.7% 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 -94.9% for USO. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.29. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SCHD charges 0.06% per year while USO 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 0.00% for USO.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 100 holdings in SCHD and 1 in USO, totalling 100.0% and 8.0% 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 1 in USO, against full books of 103 and 7.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SCHD and USO 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 USO?
SCHD has an expense ratio of 0.06% while USO charges 0.86%. SCHD is the cheaper option, by $80 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SCHD or USO?
Over the past year SCHD returned +25.15% vs +100.41% for USO, so USO leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (15 years), SCHD annualized +11.11% vs -3.65% for USO. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SCHD or USO?
USO has been the more volatile fund at 38.7% annualized versus 13.7% for SCHD. Worst drawdown: SCHD -33.4% vs USO -94.9%.
Should I hold both SCHD and USO?
SCHD and USO have a monthly-return correlation of 0.29, 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 USO?
SCHD yields 3.00% while USO yields 0.00%, so SCHD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is USO better than SCHD?
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. SCHD led over the full window, USO over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.