DFUS vs. SCHD

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DFUS (Dimensional U.S. Equity Market ETF) and SCHD (Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - DFUS is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by Dimensional, while SCHD is a Dividend fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index. DFUS is actively managed, while SCHD is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, DFUS returned 22.42%/yr vs 15.09%/yr for SCHD. A 0.71 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. DFUS charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for SCHD.

Performance

DFUS vs. SCHD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Dimensional U.S. Equity Market ETF (DFUS) 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, DFUS achieves a 11.25% return, which is significantly lower than SCHD's 19.01% return.

DFUS

• 1D: -0.66%
• 1M: 5.24%
• YTD: 11.25%
• 6M: 11.19%
• 1Y: 28.63%
• 3Y*: 22.42%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SCHD

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 2.70%
• YTD: 19.01%
• 6M: 18.63%
• 1Y: 27.16%
• 3Y*: 15.09%
• 5Y*: 8.36%
• 10Y*: 12.77%

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

DFUS vs. SCHD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
DFUS Dimensional U.S. Equity Market ETF	11.25%	17.46%	24.34%	26.36%	-18.34%	11.90%
SCHD Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF	19.01%	4.34%	11.66%	4.54%	-3.26%	7.49%

Correlation

The correlation between DFUS and SCHD is 0.38, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.38
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.56
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 15, 2021	0.71

Over the past year, the correlation between DFUS and SCHD has dropped to 0.38 - well below their long-term average of 0.71, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

DFUS vs. SCHD - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	DFUS	SCHD
Communication Services	23.5%	6.3%
Financial Services	20.2%	9.3%
Technology	17.4%	16.4%
Consumer Cyclical	13.0%	6.3%
Industrials	9.5%	7.5%
Energy	5.3%	16.2%
Healthcare	4.1%	18.8%
Utilities	3.0%	0.0%
Consumer Defensive	2.6%	19.2%
Basic Materials	1.1%	1.2%
Real Estate	0.0%	-

Return for Risk

DFUS vs. SCHD — Risk / Return Rank

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

DFUS

DFUS Risk / Return Rank: 69
DFUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
DFUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
DFUS Omega Ratio Rank: 69
DFUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
DFUS Martin Ratio Rank: 75

SCHD

SCHD Risk / Return Rank: 80
SCHD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
SCHD Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
SCHD Omega Ratio Rank: 73
SCHD Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
SCHD Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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.

DFUS vs. SCHD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Dimensional U.S. Equity Market ETF (DFUS) 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.

	DFUS	SCHD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.35	2.49	-0.14
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.22	3.87	-0.65
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.45	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.21	5.91	-2.70
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.70	14.53	+0.17
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DFUS vs. SCHD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DFUS Sharpe Ratio is 2.35, which is comparable to the SCHD Sharpe Ratio of 2.49. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DFUS 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

	DFUS	SCHD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.35	2.49	-0.14
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.58	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.77	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.79	0.86	-0.07

Drawdowns

DFUS vs. SCHD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DFUS drawdown since its inception was -24.62%, smaller than the maximum SCHD drawdown of -33.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFUS and SCHD.

Drawdown Indicators

	DFUS	SCHD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-24.62%	-33.37%	+8.75%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.96%	-4.61%	-4.35%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.44%	-16.13%	-3.31%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-16.85%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.37%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.66%	-1.40%	+0.74%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.82%	-3.32%	-2.50%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.95%	1.88%	+0.07%

Volatility

DFUS vs. SCHD - Volatility Comparison

Dimensional U.S. Equity Market ETF (DFUS) has a higher volatility of 3.07% compared to Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) at 2.66%. This indicates that DFUS'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

	DFUS	SCHD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.07%	2.66%	+0.41%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.18%	7.66%	+1.52%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.23%	10.96%	+1.27%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.21%	14.38%	+2.83%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.21%	16.72%	+0.49%

DFUS vs. SCHD - Expense Ratio Comparison

DFUS has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is higher than SCHD's 0.06% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

DFUS vs. SCHD - Dividend Comparison

DFUS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.83%, less than SCHD's 3.26% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFUS Dimensional U.S. Equity Market ETF	0.83%	0.88%	1.04%	1.33%	1.48%	0.85%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SCHD Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF	3.26%	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 DFUS and SCHD in my portfolio?

DFUS and SCHD have a correlation of 0.38, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DFUS or SCHD?

DFUS has higher volatility (3.07%) compared to SCHD (2.66%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFUS dropped -24.62% vs SCHD's -33.37%.

Which ETF is better, DFUS or SCHD?

On 3-year performance, DFUS leads with 22.42% vs 15.09% for SCHD. On fees, SCHD is cheaper at 0.06% per year. On volatility, SCHD has been the lower-risk option at 2.66%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DFUS or SCHD?

Over the 3-year period, DFUS has performed better with a 22.42% return vs 15.09%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DFUS or SCHD?

SCHD is cheaper with a 0.06% expense ratio, compared with 0.09% for DFUS.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, DFUS or SCHD?

SCHD has the higher dividend yield at 3.26%, compared with 0.83% for DFUS.

What is the main difference between DFUS and SCHD?

DFUS is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while SCHD is Dividend. They also come from different issuers: Dimensional and Charles Schwab. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for DFUS and 0.06% for SCHD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SCHD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.49 vs 2.35), 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.