FCA vs. SCHD

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

FCA (First Trust China AlphaDEX Fund) and SCHD (Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FCA is a China Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ AlphaDEX China Index, while SCHD is a Dividend fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FCA returned 9.89%/yr vs 12.77%/yr for SCHD. At a 0.32 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FCA charges 0.80%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for SCHD.

Performance

FCA vs. SCHD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust China AlphaDEX Fund (FCA) 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, FCA achieves a 11.53% return, which is significantly lower than SCHD's 19.01% return. Over the past 10 years, FCA has underperformed SCHD with an annualized return of 9.89%, while SCHD has yielded a comparatively higher 12.77% annualized return.

FCA

• 1D: 2.01%
• 1M: -4.08%
• YTD: 11.53%
• 6M: 9.85%
• 1Y: 44.90%
• 3Y*: 20.06%
• 5Y*: 5.02%
• 10Y*: 9.89%

SCHD

• 1D: 0.59%
• 1M: 1.60%
• YTD: 19.01%
• 6M: 20.36%
• 1Y: 28.08%
• 3Y*: 15.09%
• 5Y*: 8.49%
• 10Y*: 12.77%

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

FCA vs. SCHD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FCA First Trust China AlphaDEX Fund	11.53%	45.20%	14.07%	-8.28%	-17.61%	-0.65%	11.80%	18.72%	-18.30%	60.26%
SCHD Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF	19.01%	4.34%	11.66%	4.54%	-3.26%	29.87%	15.03%	27.29%	-5.56%	20.85%

Correlation

The correlation between FCA and SCHD is 0.17, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.17
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.22
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.24
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.30
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 21, 2011	0.32

The correlation between FCA and SCHD shifts across timeframes, from 0.17 (1 year) to 0.32 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

FCA vs. SCHD - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FCA	SCHD
Industrials	25.2%	7.5%
Financial Services	19.7%	9.3%
Basic Materials	19.1%	1.2%
Energy	14.8%	16.2%
Technology	10.3%	16.4%
Healthcare	3.0%	18.8%
Communication Services	2.9%	6.3%
Utilities	2.4%	0.0%
Real Estate	1.1%	-
Consumer Cyclical	1.1%	6.3%
Consumer Defensive	0.5%	19.2%

Return for Risk

FCA vs. SCHD — Risk / Return Rank

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

FCA

FCA Risk / Return Rank: 62
FCA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
FCA Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
FCA Omega Ratio Rank: 55
FCA Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
FCA Martin Ratio Rank: 65

SCHD

SCHD Risk / Return Rank: 82
SCHD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 78
SCHD Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
SCHD Omega Ratio Rank: 76
SCHD Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
SCHD Martin Ratio Rank: 77

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.

FCA vs. SCHD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust China AlphaDEX Fund (FCA) 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.

	FCA	SCHD	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.02	2.57	-0.55
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.58	3.98	-1.40
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.46	-0.12
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.19	6.17	-1.98
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	12.06	15.20	-3.15
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FCA vs. SCHD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FCA Sharpe Ratio is 2.02, which is comparable to the SCHD Sharpe Ratio of 2.57. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FCA 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

	FCA	SCHD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.02	2.57	-0.55
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.18	0.59	-0.41
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.37	0.77	-0.39
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.13	0.86	-0.73

Drawdowns

FCA vs. SCHD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FCA drawdown since its inception was -45.56%, which is greater than SCHD's maximum drawdown of -33.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FCA and SCHD.

Drawdown Indicators

	FCA	SCHD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-45.56%	-33.37%	-12.19%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.13%	-4.61%	-6.52%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.13%	-16.13%	-10.00%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-42.47%	-16.85%	-25.62%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.47%	-33.37%	-9.10%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-8.87%	-1.40%	-7.47%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-21.62%	-3.32%	-18.30%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.87%	1.87%	+2.00%

Volatility

FCA vs. SCHD - Volatility Comparison

First Trust China AlphaDEX Fund (FCA) has a higher volatility of 8.36% compared to Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) at 2.92%. This indicates that FCA'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

	FCA	SCHD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.36%	2.92%	+5.44%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.57%	7.66%	+8.91%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.31%	10.96%	+11.35%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	27.59%	14.38%	+13.21%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	26.63%	16.72%	+9.91%

FCA vs. SCHD - Expense Ratio Comparison

FCA has a 0.80% expense ratio, which is higher than SCHD's 0.06% expense ratio.

Dividends

FCA vs. SCHD - Dividend Comparison

FCA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.31%, less than SCHD's 3.26% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FCA First Trust China AlphaDEX Fund	2.31%	2.67%	5.17%	5.70%	6.00%	4.91%	4.12%	3.73%	3.10%	2.30%	2.51%	4.13%
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 FCA and SCHD in my portfolio?

FCA and SCHD have a correlation of 0.17, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FCA or SCHD?

FCA has higher volatility (8.36%) compared to SCHD (2.92%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FCA dropped -45.56% vs SCHD's -33.37%.

Which ETF is better, FCA or SCHD?

On 10-year performance, SCHD leads with 12.77% vs 9.89% for FCA. On fees, SCHD is cheaper at 0.06% per year. On volatility, SCHD has been the lower-risk option at 2.92%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FCA or SCHD?

Over the 10-year period, SCHD has performed better with a 12.77% return vs 9.89%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FCA or SCHD?

SCHD is cheaper with a 0.06% expense ratio, compared with 0.80% for FCA.

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

SCHD has the higher dividend yield at 3.26%, compared with 2.31% for FCA.

What is the main difference between FCA and SCHD?

FCA is categorized as China Equities, while SCHD is Dividend. FCA tracks NASDAQ AlphaDEX China Index, while SCHD tracks Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Charles Schwab. Their fees differ too: 0.80% for FCA and 0.06% for SCHD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SCHD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.57 vs 2.02), 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.