AAEQ vs. FNDX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

AAEQ (Alpha Architect US Equity 2 ETF) and FNDX (Schwab Fundamental U.S. Large Company Index ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - AAEQ is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by Alpha Architect, while FNDX is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the RAFI Fundamental High Liquidity US Large Index. AAEQ is actively managed, while FNDX is passively managed. A 0.73 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. AAEQ charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for FNDX.

Performance

AAEQ vs. FNDX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Alpha Architect US Equity 2 ETF (AAEQ) and Schwab Fundamental U.S. Large Company Index ETF (FNDX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AAEQ achieves a 8.91% return, which is significantly lower than FNDX's 14.57% return.

AAEQ

• 1D: -0.75%
• 1M: 4.79%
• YTD: 8.91%
• 6M: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

FNDX

• 1D: -0.13%
• 1M: 3.88%
• YTD: 14.57%
• 6M: 14.58%
• 1Y: 32.32%
• 3Y*: 20.90%
• 5Y*: 12.82%
• 10Y*: 14.26%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

AAEQ vs. FNDX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
AAEQ Alpha Architect US Equity 2 ETF	8.91%	-1.99%
FNDX Schwab Fundamental U.S. Large Company Index ETF	14.57%	-0.58%

Correlation

The correlation between AAEQ and FNDX is 0.73, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 11, 2025	0.73

AAEQ vs. FNDX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	AAEQ	FNDX
Technology	35.9%	19.1%
Financial Services	11.8%	14.1%
Communication Services	11.7%	10.1%
Consumer Cyclical	10.3%	9.2%
Healthcare	8.6%	12.0%
Industrials	7.9%	9.3%
Consumer Defensive	4.4%	7.4%
Energy	3.8%	10.3%
Utilities	2.4%	3.2%
Basic Materials	1.7%	3.7%
Real Estate	1.5%	1.8%

Return for Risk

AAEQ vs. FNDX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

FNDX

FNDX Risk / Return Rank: 90
FNDX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
FNDX Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
FNDX Omega Ratio Rank: 90
FNDX Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
FNDX Martin Ratio Rank: 90

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

AAEQ vs. FNDX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Alpha Architect US Equity 2 ETF (AAEQ) and Schwab Fundamental U.S. Large Company Index ETF (FNDX). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	AAEQ	FNDX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	3.18	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.85	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.82	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.09	0.79	+0.29

Drawdowns

AAEQ vs. FNDX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AAEQ drawdown since its inception was -10.26%, smaller than the maximum FNDX drawdown of -37.72%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AAEQ and FNDX.

Drawdown Indicators

	AAEQ	FNDX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-10.26%	-37.72%	+27.46%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-6.06%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-16.30%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-19.06%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-37.72%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.75%	-0.13%	-0.62%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.46%	-3.55%	+1.09%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	1.55%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	AAEQ	FNDX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	2.25%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	7.25%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.72%	10.22%	+3.50%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.72%	15.18%	-1.46%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.72%	17.50%	-3.78%

AAEQ vs. FNDX - Expense Ratio Comparison

AAEQ has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is lower than FNDX's 0.25% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

AAEQ vs. FNDX - Dividend Comparison

AAEQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.09%, less than FNDX's 1.45% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AAEQ Alpha Architect US Equity 2 ETF	0.09%	0.10%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
FNDX Schwab Fundamental U.S. Large Company Index ETF	1.45%	1.63%	1.76%	1.82%	2.07%	1.64%	2.29%	2.23%	2.40%	1.86%	2.01%	2.01%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AAEQ and FNDX in my portfolio?

AAEQ and FNDX have a correlation of 0.73, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, AAEQ or FNDX?

On fees, AAEQ is cheaper at 0.15% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, AAEQ or FNDX?

AAEQ is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for FNDX.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, AAEQ or FNDX?

FNDX has the higher dividend yield at 1.45%, compared with 0.09% for AAEQ.

What is the main difference between AAEQ and FNDX?

AAEQ is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while FNDX is Large Cap Value Equities. They also come from different issuers: Alpha Architect and Charles Schwab. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for AAEQ and 0.25% for FNDX.