FLTB vs. SCHD

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

FLTB (Fidelity Limited Term Bond ETF) and SCHD (Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FLTB is a Short-Term Bond fund actively managed by Fidelity, while SCHD is a Dividend fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index. FLTB is actively managed, while SCHD is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FLTB returned 2.47%/yr vs 12.79%/yr for SCHD. At a 0.07 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FLTB charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for SCHD.

Performance

FLTB vs. SCHD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Fidelity Limited Term Bond ETF (FLTB) 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, FLTB achieves a 0.84% return, which is significantly lower than SCHD's 19.82% return. Over the past 10 years, FLTB has underperformed SCHD with an annualized return of 2.47%, while SCHD has yielded a comparatively higher 12.79% annualized return.

FLTB

• 1D: 0.03%
• 1M: 0.30%
• YTD: 0.84%
• 6M: 1.18%
• 1Y: 4.37%
• 3Y*: 5.52%
• 5Y*: 2.26%
• 10Y*: 2.47%

SCHD

• 1D: 0.68%
• 1M: 2.84%
• YTD: 19.82%
• 6M: 19.65%
• 1Y: 28.76%
• 3Y*: 15.59%
• 5Y*: 8.50%
• 10Y*: 12.79%

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

FLTB vs. SCHD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FLTB Fidelity Limited Term Bond ETF	0.84%	6.60%	5.14%	5.94%	-5.88%	-1.20%	5.57%	5.87%	1.06%	2.10%
SCHD Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF	19.82%	4.34%	11.66%	4.54%	-3.26%	29.87%	15.03%	27.29%	-5.56%	20.85%

Correlation

The correlation between FLTB and SCHD is 0.15, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.15
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.20
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.18
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.07
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 10, 2014	0.07

The correlation between FLTB and SCHD shifts across timeframes, from 0.07 (all time) to 0.20 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

FLTB vs. SCHD - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FLTB	SCHD
Technology	0.0%	16.4%
Financial Services	0.0%	9.3%
Basic Materials	-	1.2%
Communication Services	-	6.3%
Consumer Cyclical	-	6.3%
Consumer Defensive	-	19.2%
Energy	-	16.2%
Healthcare	-	18.8%
Industrials	-	7.5%
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	0.0%

Return for Risk

FLTB vs. SCHD — Risk / Return Rank

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

FLTB

FLTB Risk / Return Rank: 66
FLTB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
FLTB Sortino Ratio Rank: 72
FLTB Omega Ratio Rank: 66
FLTB Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
FLTB Martin Ratio Rank: 68

SCHD

SCHD Risk / Return Rank: 85
SCHD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
SCHD Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
SCHD Omega Ratio Rank: 80
SCHD Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
SCHD Martin Ratio Rank: 80

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.

FLTB vs. SCHD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Fidelity Limited Term Bond ETF (FLTB) 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.

	FLTB	SCHD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.08	2.64	-0.56
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.20	4.08	-0.87
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	1.47	-0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.88	6.26	-3.38
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.23	15.38	-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.

FLTB vs. SCHD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FLTB Sharpe Ratio is 2.08, which is comparable to the SCHD Sharpe Ratio of 2.64. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FLTB 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

	FLTB	SCHD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.08	2.64	-0.56
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.81	0.59	+0.22
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.85	0.77	+0.08
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.83	0.86	-0.03

Drawdowns

FLTB vs. SCHD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FLTB drawdown since its inception was -9.37%, smaller than the maximum SCHD drawdown of -33.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FLTB and SCHD.

Drawdown Indicators

	FLTB	SCHD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-9.37%	-33.37%	+24.00%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.52%	-4.61%	+3.09%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-1.52%	-16.13%	+14.61%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-9.26%	-16.85%	+7.59%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-9.37%	-33.37%	+24.00%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.26%	-0.73%	+0.47%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.40%	-3.32%	+1.92%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.36%	1.87%	-1.51%

Volatility

FLTB vs. SCHD - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Fidelity Limited Term Bond ETF (FLTB) is 0.62%, while Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) has a volatility of 2.69%. This indicates that FLTB 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

	FLTB	SCHD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.62%	2.69%	-2.07%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.63%	7.65%	-6.02%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.13%	10.95%	-8.82%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.80%	14.38%	-11.58%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	2.94%	16.71%	-13.77%

FLTB vs. SCHD - Expense Ratio Comparison

FLTB has a 0.25% 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

FLTB vs. SCHD - Dividend Comparison

FLTB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.36%, more than SCHD's 3.24% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FLTB Fidelity Limited Term Bond ETF	4.36%	4.31%	4.11%	3.20%	1.63%	0.89%	1.56%	2.67%	2.50%	1.78%	1.59%	1.63%
SCHD Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF	3.24%	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 FLTB and SCHD in my portfolio?

FLTB and SCHD have a correlation of 0.15, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FLTB or SCHD?

SCHD has higher volatility (2.69%) compared to FLTB (0.62%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FLTB dropped -9.37% vs SCHD's -33.37%.

Which ETF is better, FLTB or SCHD?

On 10-year performance, SCHD leads with 12.79% vs 2.47% for FLTB. On fees, SCHD is cheaper at 0.06% per year. On volatility, FLTB has been the lower-risk option at 0.62%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FLTB or SCHD?

Over the 10-year period, SCHD has performed better with a 12.79% return vs 2.47%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FLTB or SCHD?

SCHD is cheaper with a 0.06% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for FLTB.

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

FLTB has the higher dividend yield at 4.36%, compared with 3.24% for SCHD.

What is the main difference between FLTB and SCHD?

FLTB is categorized as Short-Term Bond, while SCHD is Dividend. They also come from different issuers: Fidelity and Charles Schwab. Their fees differ too: 0.25% for FLTB and 0.06% for SCHD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SCHD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.64 vs 2.08), 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.