GDE vs. SCHD

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

GDE (WisdomTree Efficient Gold Plus Equity Strategy Fund) and SCHD (Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - GDE is a Gold fund actively managed by WisdomTree, while SCHD is a Dividend fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index. GDE is actively managed, while SCHD is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, GDE returned 44.47%/yr vs 14.73%/yr for SCHD. At a 0.45 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. GDE charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for SCHD.

Performance

GDE vs. SCHD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in WisdomTree Efficient Gold Plus Equity Strategy Fund (GDE) 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, GDE achieves a 5.74% return, which is significantly lower than SCHD's 18.71% return.

GDE

• 1D: 0.95%
• 1M: -7.44%
• YTD: 5.74%
• 6M: 8.50%
• 1Y: 47.93%
• 3Y*: 44.47%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SCHD

• 1D: -0.03%
• 1M: 2.12%
• YTD: 18.71%
• 6M: 19.28%
• 1Y: 26.37%
• 3Y*: 14.73%
• 5Y*: 8.49%
• 10Y*: 12.65%

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

GDE vs. SCHD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
GDE WisdomTree Efficient Gold Plus Equity Strategy Fund	5.74%	73.76%	44.79%	33.85%	-18.67%
SCHD Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF	18.71%	4.34%	11.66%	4.54%	-0.50%

Correlation

The correlation between GDE and SCHD is 0.27, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.27
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.35
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 18, 2022	0.45

The correlation between GDE and SCHD shifts across timeframes, from 0.27 (1 year) to 0.45 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

GDE vs. SCHD - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	GDE	SCHD
Technology	35.6%	16.4%
Financial Services	12.2%	9.3%
Communication Services	12.2%	6.3%
Consumer Cyclical	10.1%	6.3%
Healthcare	8.3%	18.8%
Industrials	7.6%	7.5%
Consumer Defensive	5.5%	19.2%
Energy	3.4%	16.2%
Utilities	2.1%	0.0%
Real Estate	1.6%	-
Basic Materials	1.4%	1.2%

Return for Risk

GDE vs. SCHD — Risk / Return Rank

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

GDE

GDE Risk / Return Rank: 49
GDE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
GDE Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
GDE Omega Ratio Rank: 54
GDE Calmar Ratio Rank: 47
GDE Martin Ratio Rank: 43

SCHD

SCHD Risk / Return Rank: 85
SCHD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
SCHD Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
SCHD Omega Ratio Rank: 81
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.

GDE vs. SCHD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for WisdomTree Efficient Gold Plus Equity Strategy Fund (GDE) 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.

	GDE	SCHD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.66	2.43	-0.77
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.07	3.75	-1.67
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.43	-0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.13	5.74	-3.62
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.49	14.06	-7.57
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GDE vs. SCHD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GDE Sharpe Ratio is 1.66, which is lower than the SCHD Sharpe Ratio of 2.43. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GDE 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

	GDE	SCHD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.66	2.43	-0.77
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.59	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.76	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.10	0.86	+0.24

Drawdowns

GDE vs. SCHD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GDE drawdown since its inception was -32.01%, roughly equal to the maximum SCHD drawdown of -33.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GDE and SCHD.

Drawdown Indicators

	GDE	SCHD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-32.01%	-33.37%	+1.36%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-22.66%	-4.61%	-18.05%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.66%	-16.13%	-6.53%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-16.85%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.37%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-14.44%	-1.64%	-12.80%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.90%	-3.32%	-4.58%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	7.40%	1.88%	+5.52%

Volatility

GDE vs. SCHD - Volatility Comparison

WisdomTree Efficient Gold Plus Equity Strategy Fund (GDE) has a higher volatility of 8.25% compared to Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) at 2.83%. This indicates that GDE'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

	GDE	SCHD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.25%	2.83%	+5.42%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	25.04%	7.60%	+17.44%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	29.09%	10.94%	+18.15%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	26.26%	14.38%	+11.88%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	26.26%	16.72%	+9.54%

GDE vs. SCHD - Expense Ratio Comparison

GDE has a 0.20% 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

GDE vs. SCHD - Dividend Comparison

GDE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.09%, more than SCHD's 3.27% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GDE WisdomTree Efficient Gold Plus Equity Strategy Fund	4.09%	4.32%	7.14%	2.22%	0.81%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SCHD Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF	3.27%	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 GDE and SCHD in my portfolio?

GDE and SCHD have a correlation of 0.27, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GDE or SCHD?

GDE has higher volatility (8.25%) compared to SCHD (2.83%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GDE dropped -32.01% vs SCHD's -33.37%.

Which ETF is better, GDE or SCHD?

On 3-year performance, GDE leads with 44.47% vs 14.73% for SCHD. On fees, SCHD is cheaper at 0.06% per year. On volatility, SCHD has been the lower-risk option at 2.83%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, GDE or SCHD?

Over the 3-year period, GDE has performed better with a 44.47% return vs 14.73%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, GDE or SCHD?

SCHD is cheaper with a 0.06% expense ratio, compared with 0.20% for GDE.

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

GDE has the higher dividend yield at 4.09%, compared with 3.27% for SCHD.

What is the main difference between GDE and SCHD?

GDE is categorized as Gold, while SCHD is Dividend. They also come from different issuers: WisdomTree and Charles Schwab. Their fees differ too: 0.20% for GDE and 0.06% for SCHD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SCHD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.43 vs 1.66), 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.