HCOW vs. SCHD

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

HCOW (Amplify Cash Flow High Income ETF) and SCHD (Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - HCOW is a Large Cap Value Equities fund actively managed by Amplify, while SCHD is a Dividend fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index. HCOW is actively managed, while SCHD is passively managed. Over the past year, HCOW returned 23.79% vs 28.08% for SCHD. A 0.77 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. HCOW charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for SCHD.

Performance

HCOW vs. SCHD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Amplify Cash Flow High Income ETF (HCOW) 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, HCOW achieves a 4.86% return, which is significantly lower than SCHD's 19.01% return.

HCOW

• 1D: 0.10%
• 1M: 2.49%
• YTD: 4.86%
• 6M: 5.50%
• 1Y: 23.79%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SCHD

• 1D: 0.59%
• 1M: 1.60%
• YTD: 19.01%
• 6M: 20.36%
• 1Y: 28.08%
• 3Y*: 15.09%
• 5Y*: 8.49%
• 10Y*: 12.77%

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

HCOW vs. SCHD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
HCOW Amplify Cash Flow High Income ETF	4.86%	5.76%	7.63%	6.44%
SCHD Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF	19.01%	4.34%	11.66%	6.11%

Correlation

The correlation between HCOW and SCHD is 0.66, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.66
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 21, 2023	0.77

The correlation between HCOW and SCHD shifts across timeframes, from 0.66 (1 year) to 0.77 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

HCOW vs. SCHD - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	HCOW	SCHD
Technology	21.0%	16.4%
Industrials	18.7%	7.5%
Financial Services	17.2%	9.3%
Consumer Cyclical	10.9%	6.3%
Energy	8.2%	16.2%
Healthcare	8.0%	18.8%
Basic Materials	6.0%	1.2%
Communication Services	4.7%	6.3%
Utilities	2.8%	0.0%
Consumer Defensive	2.4%	19.2%
Real Estate	-	-

Return for Risk

HCOW vs. SCHD — Risk / Return Rank

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

HCOW

HCOW Risk / Return Rank: 58
HCOW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
HCOW Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
HCOW Omega Ratio Rank: 49
HCOW Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
HCOW Martin Ratio Rank: 65

SCHD

SCHD Risk / Return Rank: 82
SCHD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 78
SCHD Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
SCHD Omega Ratio Rank: 76
SCHD Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
SCHD Martin Ratio Rank: 77

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.

HCOW vs. SCHD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Amplify Cash Flow High Income ETF (HCOW) 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.

	HCOW	SCHD	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.72	2.57	-0.85
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.55	3.98	-1.43
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.46	-0.15
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.75	6.17	-2.43
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	12.09	15.20	-3.11
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

HCOW vs. SCHD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HCOW Sharpe Ratio is 1.72, which is lower than the SCHD Sharpe Ratio of 2.57. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HCOW 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

	HCOW	SCHD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.72	2.57	-0.85
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.59	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.77	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.53	0.86	-0.33

Drawdowns

HCOW vs. SCHD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HCOW drawdown since its inception was -24.15%, smaller than the maximum SCHD drawdown of -33.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HCOW and SCHD.

Drawdown Indicators

	HCOW	SCHD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-24.15%	-33.37%	+9.22%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.29%	-4.61%	-1.68%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-16.13%	—
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	0.00%	-1.40%	+1.40%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.89%	-3.32%	-1.57%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.95%	1.87%	+0.08%

Volatility

HCOW vs. SCHD - Volatility Comparison

Amplify Cash Flow High Income ETF (HCOW) has a higher volatility of 3.74% compared to Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) at 2.92%. This indicates that HCOW'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

	HCOW	SCHD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.74%	2.92%	+0.82%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.73%	7.66%	+1.07%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.89%	10.96%	+2.93%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.62%	14.38%	+3.24%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.62%	16.72%	+0.90%

HCOW vs. SCHD - Expense Ratio Comparison

HCOW has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is higher than SCHD's 0.06% expense ratio.

Dividends

HCOW vs. SCHD - Dividend Comparison

HCOW's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 11.69%, more than SCHD's 3.26% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
HCOW Amplify Cash Flow High Income ETF	11.69%	10.88%	8.13%	1.99%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
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 HCOW and SCHD in my portfolio?

HCOW and SCHD have a correlation of 0.66, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, HCOW or SCHD?

HCOW has higher volatility (3.74%) compared to SCHD (2.92%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HCOW dropped -24.15% vs SCHD's -33.37%.

Which ETF is better, HCOW or SCHD?

On 1-year performance, SCHD leads with 28.08% vs 23.79% for HCOW. On fees, SCHD is cheaper at 0.06% per year. On volatility, SCHD has been the lower-risk option at 2.92%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, HCOW or SCHD?

Over the 1-year period, SCHD has performed better with a 28.08% return vs 23.79%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, HCOW or SCHD?

SCHD is cheaper with a 0.06% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for HCOW.

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

HCOW has the higher dividend yield at 11.69%, compared with 3.26% for SCHD.

What is the main difference between HCOW and SCHD?

HCOW is categorized as Large Cap Value Equities, while SCHD is Dividend. They also come from different issuers: Amplify and Charles Schwab. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for HCOW and 0.06% for SCHD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SCHD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.57 vs 1.72), 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.