BRK-B vs. SCHD

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

BRK-B (Berkshire Hathaway Inc.) is a stock, while SCHD (Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF) is Dividend fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index. Over the past 10 years, BRK-B returned 13.19%/yr vs 12.64%/yr for SCHD. A 0.72 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

BRK-B vs. SCHD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK-B) and Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BRK-B achieves a -2.89% return, which is significantly lower than SCHD's 18.75% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with BRK-B having a 13.19% annualized return and SCHD not far behind at 12.64%.

BRK-B

• 1D: 1.98%
• 1M: 3.90%
• YTD: -2.89%
• 6M: -3.21%
• 1Y: -0.12%
• 3Y*: 13.55%
• 5Y*: 10.78%
• 10Y*: 13.19%

SCHD

• 1D: -0.89%
• 1M: 2.02%
• YTD: 18.75%
• 6M: 18.75%
• 1Y: 27.90%
• 3Y*: 15.14%
• 5Y*: 8.31%
• 10Y*: 12.64%

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

BRK-B vs. SCHD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BRK-B Berkshire Hathaway Inc.	-2.89%	10.89%	27.09%	15.46%	3.31%	28.95%	2.37%	10.93%	3.01%	21.62%
SCHD Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF	18.75%	4.34%	11.66%	4.54%	-3.26%	29.87%	15.03%	27.29%	-5.56%	20.85%

Correlation

The correlation between BRK-B and SCHD is 0.37, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.37
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.54
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.67
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.70
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 21, 2011	0.72

Over the past year, the correlation between BRK-B and SCHD has dropped to 0.37 - well below their long-term average of 0.72, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

BRK-B vs. SCHD — Risk / Return Rank

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

BRK-B

BRK-B Risk / Return Rank: 38
BRK-B Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
BRK-B Sortino Ratio Rank: 33
BRK-B Omega Ratio Rank: 32
BRK-B Calmar Ratio Rank: 41
BRK-B Martin Ratio Rank: 41

SCHD

SCHD Risk / Return Rank: 83
SCHD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
SCHD Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
SCHD Omega Ratio Rank: 78
SCHD Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
SCHD Martin Ratio Rank: 78

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.

BRK-B vs. SCHD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK-B) and Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD). 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.

	BRK-B	SCHD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.01	2.55	-2.56
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.09	3.94	-3.85
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.01	1.46	-0.45
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.01	6.07	-6.09
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.03	14.90	-14.93
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BRK-B vs. SCHD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BRK-B Sharpe Ratio is -0.01, which is lower than the SCHD Sharpe Ratio of 2.55. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BRK-B and SCHD, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	BRK-B	SCHD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.01	2.55	-2.56
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.63	0.58	+0.05
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.68	0.76	-0.08
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.48	0.86	-0.38

Drawdowns

BRK-B vs. SCHD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BRK-B drawdown since its inception was -53.86%, which is greater than SCHD's maximum drawdown of -33.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BRK-B and SCHD.

Drawdown Indicators

	BRK-B	SCHD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-53.86%	-33.37%	-20.49%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.42%	-4.61%	-4.81%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.95%	-16.13%	+1.18%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.58%	-16.85%	-9.73%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-29.57%	-33.37%	+3.80%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-9.57%	-1.61%	-7.96%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.07%	-3.32%	-7.75%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.47%	1.88%	+2.59%

Volatility

BRK-B vs. SCHD - Volatility Comparison

Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK-B) has a higher volatility of 4.08% compared to Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) at 2.87%. This indicates that BRK-B's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SCHD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BRK-B	SCHD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.08%	2.87%	+1.21%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.87%	7.61%	+3.26%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.39%	10.98%	+3.41%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.13%	14.38%	+2.75%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.43%	16.72%	+2.71%

Dividends

BRK-B vs. SCHD - Dividend Comparison

BRK-B has not paid dividends to shareholders, while SCHD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.27%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BRK-B Berkshire Hathaway Inc.	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SCHD Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF	3.27%	3.82%	3.64%	3.49%	3.39%	2.78%	3.16%	2.98%	3.06%	2.63%	2.89%	2.97%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BRK-B and SCHD in my portfolio?

BRK-B and SCHD have a correlation of 0.37, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BRK-B or SCHD?

BRK-B has higher volatility (4.08%) compared to SCHD (2.87%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BRK-B dropped -53.86% vs SCHD's -33.37%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SCHD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.55 vs -0.01), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.