FLAU vs. SCHD

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

FLAU (Franklin FTSE Australia ETF) and SCHD (Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FLAU is a Australia Equities fund tracking the FTSE Australia RIC Capped Index, while SCHD is a Dividend fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, FLAU returned 7.05%/yr vs 9.66%/yr for SCHD. Their 0.60 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. FLAU charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for SCHD.

Performance

FLAU vs. SCHD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Franklin FTSE Australia ETF (FLAU) 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, FLAU achieves a 12.89% return, which is significantly lower than SCHD's 24.36% return.

FLAU

• 1D: 0.03%
• 1M: 4.17%
• 6M: 5.88%
• YTD: 12.89%
• 1Y: 17.47%
• 3Y*: 13.46%
• 5Y*: 7.05%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 7.95%

SCHD

• 1D: 0.27%
• 1M: 3.61%
• 6M: 13.71%
• YTD: 24.36%
• 1Y: 31.89%
• 3Y*: 14.88%
• 5Y*: 9.66%
• 10Y*: 12.70%
• ALL TIME*: 13.40%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
FLAU Franklin FTSE Australia ETF	$226.34K	$4.45M	$1.66M
SCHD Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF	$806.58M	$724.91M	$690.35M

FLAU vs. SCHD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FLAU Franklin FTSE Australia ETF	12.89%	15.95%	1.81%	12.58%	-5.58%	9.90%	11.00%	23.38%	-10.17%	1.89%
SCHD Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF	24.36%	4.34%	11.66%	4.54%	-3.26%	29.87%	15.03%	27.29%	-5.56%	5.63%

Correlation

The correlation between FLAU and SCHD is 0.30, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.30
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.50
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.60
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 6, 2017	0.60

Over the past year, the correlation between FLAU and SCHD has dropped to 0.30 - well below their long-term average of 0.60, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

FLAU vs. SCHD - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FLAU	SCHD
Financial Services	37.3%	9.9%
Basic Materials	25.3%	1.2%
Consumer Cyclical	7.3%	7.7%
Real Estate	5.9%	-
Industrials	5.7%	7.8%
Healthcare	4.9%	20.8%
Energy	4.3%	14.1%
Consumer Defensive	4.2%	20.6%
Communication Services	1.8%	6.2%
Technology	1.8%	12.7%
Utilities	1.5%	0.1%

Return for Risk

FLAU vs. SCHD — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

FLAU

FLAU Risk / Return Rank: 41
FLAU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 40
FLAU Sortino Ratio Rank: 39
FLAU Omega Ratio Rank: 38
FLAU Calmar Ratio Rank: 47
FLAU Martin Ratio Rank: 43

SCHD

SCHD Risk / Return Rank: 95
SCHD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 96
SCHD Sortino Ratio Rank: 96
SCHD Omega Ratio Rank: 94
SCHD Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
SCHD Martin Ratio Rank: 93

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

FLAU vs. SCHD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Franklin FTSE Australia ETF (FLAU) 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.

	FLAU	SCHD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.02	2.90	-1.88
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.49	4.49	-3.00
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.18	1.52	-0.34
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.75	6.94	-5.19
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.91	17.53	-12.61

FLAU vs. SCHD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FLAU Sharpe Ratio is 1.02, which is lower than the SCHD Sharpe Ratio of 2.90. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FLAU 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

FLAU vs. SCHD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FLAU drawdown since its inception was -45.73%, which is greater than SCHD's maximum drawdown of -33.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FLAU and SCHD.

Drawdown Indicators

	FLAU	SCHD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-45.73%	-33.37%	-12.36%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.01%	-4.61%	-5.40%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.03%	-16.13%	-5.90%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.68%	-16.85%	-7.83%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.37%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.56%	-0.97%	-0.59%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.73%	-3.29%	-3.44%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.56%	1.82%	+1.74%

Volatility

FLAU vs. SCHD - Volatility Comparison

Franklin FTSE Australia ETF (FLAU) has a higher volatility of 4.42% compared to Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) at 3.82%. This indicates that FLAU'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

	FLAU	SCHD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.42%	3.82%	+0.60%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.40%	7.99%	+6.41%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.20%	11.06%	+6.14%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.66%	14.39%	+5.27%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.48%	16.73%	+6.75%

FLAU vs. SCHD - Expense Ratio Comparison

FLAU 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

FLAU vs. SCHD - Dividend Comparison

FLAU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.05%, less than SCHD's 3.12% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FLAU Franklin FTSE Australia ETF	3.05%	3.25%	3.37%	3.62%	5.91%	5.14%	2.18%	4.37%	4.34%	0.18%	0.00%	0.00%
SCHD Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF	3.12%	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 FLAU and SCHD in my portfolio?

FLAU and SCHD have a correlation of 0.30, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FLAU or SCHD?

FLAU has higher volatility (4.42%) compared to SCHD (3.82%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FLAU dropped -45.73% vs SCHD's -33.37%.

Which ETF is better, FLAU or SCHD?

On 5-year performance, SCHD leads with 9.66% vs 7.05% for FLAU. On fees, SCHD is cheaper at 0.06% per year. On volatility, SCHD has been the lower-risk option at 3.82%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FLAU or SCHD?

Over the 5-year period, SCHD has performed better with a 9.66% return vs 7.05%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FLAU or SCHD?

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

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

SCHD has the higher dividend yield at 3.12%, compared with 3.05% for FLAU.

What is the main difference between FLAU and SCHD?

FLAU is categorized as Australia Equities, while SCHD is Dividend. FLAU tracks FTSE Australia RIC Capped Index, while SCHD tracks Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index. They also come from different issuers: Franklin Templeton and Charles Schwab. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for FLAU and 0.06% for SCHD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SCHD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.90 vs 1.02), 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.