CHDEX vs. SCHD

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

CHDEX (Cullen High Dividend Equity Fund) and SCHD (Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF) are both funds - CHDEX is a Large Cap Value Equities fund managed by Cullen Funds Trust, while SCHD is a Dividend fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index. Over the past 10 years, CHDEX returned 9.97%/yr vs 12.72%/yr for SCHD. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. CHDEX charges 1.00%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for SCHD.

Performance

CHDEX vs. SCHD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Cullen High Dividend Equity Fund (CHDEX) 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, CHDEX achieves a 8.49% return, which is significantly lower than SCHD's 17.72% return. Over the past 10 years, CHDEX has underperformed SCHD with an annualized return of 9.97%, while SCHD has yielded a comparatively higher 12.72% annualized return.

CHDEX

• 1D: 0.07%
• 1M: -0.48%
• YTD: 8.49%
• 6M: 8.16%
• 1Y: 20.56%
• 3Y*: 17.28%
• 5Y*: 10.52%
• 10Y*: 9.97%

SCHD

• 1D: 0.41%
• 1M: -2.47%
• YTD: 17.72%
• 6M: 17.25%
• 1Y: 24.56%
• 3Y*: 14.60%
• 5Y*: 8.71%
• 10Y*: 12.72%

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

CHDEX vs. SCHD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
CHDEX Cullen High Dividend Equity Fund	8.49%	18.04%	20.77%	2.76%	-4.50%	26.34%	-4.36%	19.69%	-5.40%	16.79%
SCHD Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF	17.72%	4.34%	11.66%	4.54%	-3.26%	29.87%	15.03%	27.29%	-5.56%	20.85%

Correlation

The correlation between CHDEX and SCHD is 0.82, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.82
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.88
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.91
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 20, 2011	0.92

The correlation between CHDEX and SCHD shifts across timeframes, from 0.82 (1 year) to 0.92 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

CHDEX vs. SCHD — Risk / Return Rank

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

CHDEX

CHDEX Risk / Return Rank: 72
CHDEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
CHDEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 77
CHDEX Omega Ratio Rank: 64
CHDEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
CHDEX Martin Ratio Rank: 67

SCHD

SCHD Risk / Return Rank: 77
SCHD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
SCHD Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
SCHD Omega Ratio Rank: 70
SCHD Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
SCHD Martin Ratio Rank: 71

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.

CHDEX vs. SCHD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Cullen High Dividend Equity Fund (CHDEX) 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	CHDEX	SCHD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.32	2.23	+0.09
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.36	3.40	-0.04
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.40	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.34	5.35	-2.00
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.06	12.94	-0.88

CHDEX vs. SCHD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CHDEX Sharpe Ratio is 2.32, which is comparable to the SCHD Sharpe Ratio of 2.23. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CHDEX 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.

Drawdowns

CHDEX vs. SCHD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CHDEX drawdown since its inception was -49.12%, which is greater than SCHD's maximum drawdown of -33.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CHDEX and SCHD.

Drawdown Indicators

	CHDEX	SCHD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-49.12%	-33.37%	-15.75%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.45%	-4.61%	-1.84%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.90%	-16.13%	+3.23%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.57%	-16.85%	-1.72%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.04%	-33.37%	-3.67%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.40%	-2.47%	+1.07%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.74%	-3.31%	-3.43%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.78%	1.90%	-0.12%

Volatility

CHDEX vs. SCHD - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Cullen High Dividend Equity Fund (CHDEX) is 2.80%, while Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) has a volatility of 3.58%. This indicates that CHDEX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SCHD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CHDEX	SCHD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.80%	3.58%	-0.78%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.99%	7.73%	-0.74%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.32%	11.07%	-1.75%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.06%	14.36%	-0.30%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.12%	16.71%	-0.59%

CHDEX vs. SCHD - Expense Ratio Comparison

CHDEX has a 1.00% expense ratio, which is higher than SCHD's 0.06% expense ratio.

Dividends

CHDEX vs. SCHD - Dividend Comparison

CHDEX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 14.05%, more than SCHD's 3.30% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CHDEX Cullen High Dividend Equity Fund	14.05%	15.18%	25.41%	12.44%	7.46%	10.89%	11.08%	6.24%	14.14%	9.93%	5.24%	5.05%
SCHD Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF	3.30%	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 CHDEX and SCHD in my portfolio?

CHDEX and SCHD have a correlation of 0.82, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, CHDEX or SCHD?

SCHD has higher volatility (3.58%) compared to CHDEX (2.80%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CHDEX dropped -49.12% vs SCHD's -33.37%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CHDEX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.32 vs 2.23), 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.