FRDM vs. SCHD
FRDM (Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF) and SCHD (Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FRDM is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund tracking the Life + Liberty Freedom 100 Emerging Markets 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, FRDM returned 18.68%/yr vs 8.75%/yr for SCHD. A 0.52 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FRDM charges 0.49%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for SCHD.
Performance
FRDM vs. SCHD - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, FRDM achieves a 40.13% return, which is significantly higher than SCHD's 20.66% return.
FRDM
- 1D
- 0.49%
- 1M
- 4.97%
- YTD
- 40.13%
- 6M
- 46.37%
- 1Y
- 87.32%
- 3Y*
- 34.29%
- 5Y*
- 18.68%
- 10Y*
- —
SCHD
- 1D
- 0.89%
- 1M
- 3.21%
- YTD
- 20.66%
- 6M
- 19.57%
- 1Y
- 26.72%
- 3Y*
- 14.90%
- 5Y*
- 8.75%
- 10Y*
- 12.91%
FRDM vs. SCHD - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FRDM Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF | 40.13% | 61.27% | 1.70% | 22.77% | -14.45% | 6.13% | 16.90% | 12.23% |
SCHD Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF | 20.66% | 4.34% | 11.66% | 4.54% | -3.26% | 29.87% | 15.03% | 14.36% |
Correlation
The correlation between FRDM and SCHD is 0.25, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.25 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.37 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.48 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 23, 2019 | 0.52 |
Over the past year, the correlation between FRDM and SCHD has dropped to 0.25 - well below their long-term average of 0.52, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.
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Return for Risk
FRDM vs. SCHD — Risk / Return Rank
FRDM
SCHD
FRDM vs. SCHD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF (FRDM) 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.
| FRDM | SCHD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.74 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.04 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.54 | 1.43 | +0.11 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 5.02 | 5.70 | -0.68 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 19.36 | 13.97 | +5.40 |
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Drawdowns
FRDM vs. SCHD - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum FRDM drawdown since its inception was -40.49%, which is greater than SCHD's maximum drawdown of -33.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FRDM and SCHD.
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Drawdown Indicators
| FRDM | SCHD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -40.49% | -33.37% | -7.12% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -16.87% | -4.61% | -12.26% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -16.87% | -16.13% | -0.74% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -29.25% | -16.85% | -12.40% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -33.37% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -4.36% | -0.03% | -4.33% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -7.09% | -3.31% | -3.78% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 4.37% | 1.89% | +2.48% |
Volatility
FRDM vs. SCHD - Volatility Comparison
Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF (FRDM) has a higher volatility of 14.27% compared to Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) at 3.05%. This indicates that FRDM'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.
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Volatility by Period
| FRDM | SCHD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 14.27% | 3.05% | +11.22% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 24.39% | 7.53% | +16.86% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 26.86% | 10.93% | +15.93% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 21.35% | 14.38% | +6.97% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 23.09% | 16.72% | +6.37% |
FRDM vs. SCHD - Expense Ratio Comparison
FRDM has a 0.49% expense ratio, which is higher than SCHD's 0.06% expense ratio.
Dividends
FRDM vs. SCHD - Dividend Comparison
FRDM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.56%, less than SCHD's 3.22% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FRDM Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF | 1.56% | 2.26% | 2.53% | 2.66% | 2.72% | 2.17% | 1.11% | 1.07% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
SCHD Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF | 3.22% | 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
FRDM and SCHD have a correlation of 0.25, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
FRDM has higher volatility (14.27%) compared to SCHD (3.05%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FRDM dropped -40.49% vs SCHD's -33.37%.
On 5-year performance, FRDM leads with 18.68% vs 8.75% for SCHD. On fees, SCHD is cheaper at 0.06% per year. On volatility, SCHD has been the lower-risk option at 3.05%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, FRDM has performed better with a 18.68% return vs 8.75%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
SCHD is cheaper with a 0.06% expense ratio, compared with 0.49% for FRDM.
SCHD has the higher dividend yield at 3.22%, compared with 1.56% for FRDM.
FRDM is categorized as Emerging Markets Diversified, while SCHD is Dividend. FRDM tracks Life + Liberty Freedom 100 Emerging Markets Index, while SCHD tracks Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index. They also come from different issuers: Freedom Funds and Charles Schwab. Their fees differ too: 0.49% for FRDM and 0.06% for SCHD.
FRDM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.15 vs 2.41), 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.
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