SCHD vs UTES
Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF vs Virtus Reaves Utilities ETF
Which is better, SCHD or UTES?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Growth.
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. SCHD led over 1Y and the full window, UTES over 3Y and 5Y. SCHD is less concentrated, with 41.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 70.3%.
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 | UTES |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.06%Best | 0.49% |
| AUM | $112.1B | $1.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.00% | 1.61% |
| Holdings | 103 | 19 |
| YTD Return | +23.68%Best | -11.05% |
| 1Y Return | +28.36%Best | -13.35% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.20% | +18.65%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.07% | +12.70%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.9%Best | 16.2% |
| Max Drawdown | -33.4%Best | -35.7% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,156 | $18,181Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 41.8%Best | 70.3% |
| Fund Family | Charles Schwab Asset Management | Virtus Investment Partners |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Oct 20, 2011 | Sep 23, 2015 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 24, 2015 to Sep 22, 2026 (11 years).
SCHD vs UTES 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 11 years both funds cover.
SCHD vs UTES Performance
Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) is an ETF from Charles Schwab Asset Management and Virtus Reaves Utilities ETF (UTES) is an ETF from Virtus Investment Partners. Over the past year SCHD returned +28.36% while UTES returned -13.35%. Year to date, SCHD is up 23.68% versus a loss of 11.05% for UTES.
Over three years, SCHD compounded at +16.20% per year against +18.65% for UTES; over five years the annualized figures are +10.07% and +12.70% respectively. Across the full 11-year window we track, SCHD has the edge at +11.87% annualized vs +10.99%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
UTES has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.2% compared with 14.9% 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 -35.7% for UTES. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.47. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SCHD charges 0.06% per year while UTES charges 0.49%. On a $10,000 position that is $6 vs $49 annually, a gap of $43 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SCHD currently yields 3.00% against 1.61% for UTES.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 100 holdings in SCHD and 18 in UTES, totalling 100.0% and 99.7% 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 18 in UTES, against full books of 103 and 19.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 100 and 18 positions we hold weights for.
SCHD holds 99 positions UTES does not, 99.9% of the fund.
Largest: MRK 4.77%, AMGN 4.70%, ABT 4.69%, KO 4.17%, CVX 4.02%
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SCHD and UTES 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 UTES?
SCHD has an expense ratio of 0.06% while UTES charges 0.49%. SCHD is the cheaper option, by $43 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SCHD or UTES?
Over the past year SCHD returned +28.36% vs -13.35% for UTES, so SCHD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (11 years), SCHD annualized +11.87% vs +10.99% for UTES. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SCHD or UTES?
UTES has been the more volatile fund at 16.2% annualized versus 14.9% for SCHD. Worst drawdown: SCHD -33.4% vs UTES -35.7%.
Should I hold both SCHD and UTES?
SCHD and UTES have a monthly-return correlation of 0.47, 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 UTES?
SCHD yields 3.00% while UTES yields 1.61%, so SCHD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is UTES better than SCHD?
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. SCHD led over 1Y and the full window, UTES over 3Y and 5Y. SCHD is less concentrated, with 41.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 70.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.