FDN vs. SCHD

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FDN (First Trust Dow Jones Internet Index) and SCHD (Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FDN is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones Internet 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, FDN returned 14.37%/yr vs 12.77%/yr for SCHD. A 0.53 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FDN charges 0.52%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for SCHD.

Performance

FDN vs. SCHD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Dow Jones Internet Index (FDN) 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, FDN achieves a 4.18% return, which is significantly lower than SCHD's 19.01% return. Over the past 10 years, FDN has outperformed SCHD with an annualized return of 14.37%, while SCHD has yielded a comparatively lower 12.77% annualized return.

FDN

• 1D: -1.90%
• 1M: 4.74%
• YTD: 4.18%
• 6M: 3.26%
• 1Y: 10.29%
• 3Y*: 20.67%
• 5Y*: 4.24%
• 10Y*: 14.37%

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)

FDN vs. SCHD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FDN First Trust Dow Jones Internet Index	4.18%	10.70%	30.35%	51.48%	-45.54%	6.55%	52.55%	19.25%	6.17%	37.64%
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 FDN and SCHD is 0.07, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.08
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.30
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.44
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.47
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 21, 2011	0.53

Over the past year, the correlation between FDN and SCHD has dropped to 0.07 - well below their long-term average of 0.53, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

FDN vs. SCHD - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FDN	SCHD
Technology	37.7%	16.4%
Communication Services	29.7%	6.3%
Consumer Cyclical	27.7%	6.3%
Financial Services	2.4%	9.3%
Industrials	1.4%	7.5%
Healthcare	1.1%	18.8%
Basic Materials	-	1.2%
Consumer Defensive	-	19.2%
Energy	-	16.2%
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	0.0%

Return for Risk

FDN vs. SCHD — Risk / Return Rank

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

FDN

FDN Risk / Return Rank: 16
FDN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 17
FDN Sortino Ratio Rank: 16
FDN Omega Ratio Rank: 17
FDN Calmar Ratio Rank: 15
FDN Martin Ratio Rank: 14

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.

FDN vs. SCHD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Dow Jones Internet Index (FDN) 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.

	FDN	SCHD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.54	2.49	-1.95
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.84	3.87	-3.02
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.10	1.45	-0.34
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.49	5.91	-5.43
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.24	14.53	-13.29
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FDN vs. SCHD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FDN Sharpe Ratio is 0.54, which is lower than the SCHD Sharpe Ratio of 2.49. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FDN 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

	FDN	SCHD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.54	2.49	-1.95
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.16	0.58	-0.43
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.56	0.77	-0.20
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.55	0.86	-0.31

Drawdowns

FDN vs. SCHD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FDN drawdown since its inception was -61.55%, which is greater than SCHD's maximum drawdown of -33.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FDN and SCHD.

Drawdown Indicators

	FDN	SCHD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-61.55%	-33.37%	-28.18%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-21.31%	-4.61%	-16.70%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-24.98%	-16.13%	-8.85%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-53.97%	-16.85%	-37.12%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-53.97%	-33.37%	-20.60%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.22%	-1.40%	-1.82%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.82%	-3.32%	-8.50%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	8.35%	1.88%	+6.47%

Volatility

FDN vs. SCHD - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Dow Jones Internet Index (FDN) has a higher volatility of 5.14% compared to Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) at 2.66%. This indicates that FDN'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

	FDN	SCHD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.14%	2.66%	+2.48%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.44%	7.66%	+6.78%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.04%	10.96%	+8.08%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	27.25%	14.38%	+12.87%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.60%	16.72%	+8.88%

FDN vs. SCHD - Expense Ratio Comparison

FDN has a 0.52% expense ratio, which is higher than SCHD's 0.06% expense ratio.

Dividends

FDN vs. SCHD - Dividend Comparison

FDN has not paid dividends to shareholders, while SCHD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.26%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FDN First Trust Dow Jones Internet Index	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	3.26%	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 FDN and SCHD in my portfolio?

FDN and SCHD have a correlation of 0.07, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FDN or SCHD?

FDN has higher volatility (5.14%) compared to SCHD (2.66%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FDN dropped -61.55% vs SCHD's -33.37%.

Which ETF is better, FDN or SCHD?

On 10-year performance, FDN leads with 14.37% vs 12.77% 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, FDN or SCHD?

Over the 10-year period, FDN has performed better with a 14.37% return vs 12.77%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FDN or SCHD?

SCHD is cheaper with a 0.06% expense ratio, compared with 0.52% for FDN.

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

SCHD has the higher dividend yield at 3.26%, compared with 0.00% for FDN.

What is the main difference between FDN and SCHD?

FDN is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while SCHD is Dividend. FDN tracks Dow Jones Internet 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: 0.52% for FDN and 0.06% for SCHD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SCHD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.49 vs 0.54), 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.