FTA vs. SCHD

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FTA (First Trust Large Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund) and SCHD (Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FTA is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ AlphaDEX Large Cap Value 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, FTA returned 11.03%/yr vs 12.77%/yr for SCHD. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FTA charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for SCHD.

Performance

FTA vs. SCHD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Large Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund (FTA) 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, FTA achieves a 10.98% return, which is significantly lower than SCHD's 19.01% return. Over the past 10 years, FTA has underperformed SCHD with an annualized return of 11.03%, while SCHD has yielded a comparatively higher 12.77% annualized return.

FTA

• 1D: -0.68%
• 1M: 1.61%
• YTD: 10.98%
• 6M: 11.99%
• 1Y: 26.91%
• 3Y*: 16.27%
• 5Y*: 9.07%
• 10Y*: 11.03%

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)

FTA vs. SCHD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FTA First Trust Large Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund	10.98%	14.94%	10.13%	10.08%	-3.73%	29.32%	-0.38%	24.73%	-13.63%	18.47%
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 FTA and SCHD is 0.86, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.86
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.90
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.92
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 21, 2011	0.89

The correlation between FTA and SCHD has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.86 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

FTA vs. SCHD - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FTA	SCHD
Financial Services	19.7%	9.3%
Utilities	13.3%	0.0%
Healthcare	10.6%	18.8%
Energy	9.6%	16.2%
Industrials	9.6%	7.5%
Consumer Cyclical	8.5%	6.3%
Technology	8.0%	16.4%
Consumer Defensive	6.9%	19.2%
Real Estate	5.9%	-
Communication Services	4.3%	6.3%
Basic Materials	2.7%	1.2%

Return for Risk

FTA vs. SCHD — Risk / Return Rank

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

FTA

FTA Risk / Return Rank: 77
FTA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
FTA Sortino Ratio Rank: 77
FTA Omega Ratio Rank: 67
FTA Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
FTA Martin Ratio Rank: 83

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.

FTA vs. SCHD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Large Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund (FTA) 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.

	FTA	SCHD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.34	2.49	-0.15
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.48	3.87	-0.38
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.45	-0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.26	5.91	-0.65
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.76	14.53	+2.23
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FTA vs. SCHD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FTA Sharpe Ratio is 2.34, which is comparable to the SCHD Sharpe Ratio of 2.49. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FTA 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

	FTA	SCHD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.34	2.49	-0.15
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.56	0.58	-0.02
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.55	0.77	-0.21
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.38	0.86	-0.48

Drawdowns

FTA vs. SCHD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FTA drawdown since its inception was -62.45%, which is greater than SCHD's maximum drawdown of -33.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTA and SCHD.

Drawdown Indicators

	FTA	SCHD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-62.45%	-33.37%	-29.08%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.13%	-4.61%	-0.52%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.73%	-16.13%	-2.60%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.80%	-16.85%	-2.95%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-44.97%	-33.37%	-11.60%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.68%	-1.40%	+0.72%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.04%	-3.32%	-5.72%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.61%	1.88%	-0.27%

Volatility

FTA vs. SCHD - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Large Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund (FTA) and Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) have volatilities of 2.63% and 2.66%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FTA	SCHD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.63%	2.66%	-0.03%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.44%	7.66%	-0.22%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.56%	10.96%	+0.60%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.26%	14.38%	+1.88%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.96%	16.72%	+3.24%

FTA vs. SCHD - Expense Ratio Comparison

FTA has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than SCHD's 0.06% expense ratio.

Dividends

FTA vs. SCHD - Dividend Comparison

FTA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.68%, less than SCHD's 3.26% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FTA First Trust Large Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund	1.68%	1.89%	2.02%	2.10%	2.15%	1.54%	2.03%	1.88%	2.28%	1.53%	1.56%	2.05%
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 FTA and SCHD in my portfolio?

FTA and SCHD have a correlation of 0.86, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FTA or SCHD?

SCHD has higher volatility (2.66%) compared to FTA (2.63%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FTA dropped -62.45% vs SCHD's -33.37%.

Which ETF is better, FTA or SCHD?

On 10-year performance, SCHD leads with 12.77% vs 11.03% for FTA. On fees, SCHD is cheaper at 0.06% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FTA or SCHD?

Over the 10-year period, SCHD has performed better with a 12.77% return vs 11.03%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FTA or SCHD?

SCHD is cheaper with a 0.06% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for FTA.

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

SCHD has the higher dividend yield at 3.26%, compared with 1.68% for FTA.

What is the main difference between FTA and SCHD?

FTA is categorized as Large Cap Value Equities, while SCHD is Dividend. FTA tracks NASDAQ AlphaDEX Large Cap Value 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: 0.60% for FTA and 0.06% for SCHD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SCHD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.49 vs 2.34), 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.