JEF vs. SCHD

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

JEF (Jefferies Financial Group Inc.) is a stock, while SCHD (Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF) is Dividend fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index. Over the past 10 years, JEF returned 16.43%/yr vs 12.34%/yr for SCHD. A 0.61 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

JEF vs. SCHD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Jefferies Financial Group Inc. (JEF) 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, JEF achieves a -13.84% return, which is significantly lower than SCHD's 20.66% return. Over the past 10 years, JEF has outperformed SCHD with an annualized return of 16.43%, while SCHD has yielded a comparatively lower 12.34% annualized return.

JEF

• 1D: 0.96%
• 1M: -14.71%
• 6M: -14.88%
• YTD: -13.84%
• 1Y: -1.00%
• 3Y*: 17.46%
• 5Y*: 13.71%
• 10Y*: 16.43%

SCHD

• 1D: 0.49%
• 1M: -0.00%
• 6M: 16.13%
• YTD: 20.66%
• 1Y: 23.51%
• 3Y*: 14.13%
• 5Y*: 9.00%
• 10Y*: 12.34%

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

JEF vs. SCHD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
JEF Jefferies Financial Group Inc.	-13.84%	-18.78%	98.84%	27.74%	-8.46%	61.95%	19.00%	44.18%	-33.15%	15.42%
SCHD Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF	20.66%	4.34%	11.66%	4.54%	-3.26%	29.87%	15.03%	27.29%	-5.56%	20.85%

Correlation

The correlation between JEF and SCHD is 0.32, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.32
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.47
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.58
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.60
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 20, 2011	0.61

Over the past year, the correlation between JEF and SCHD has dropped to 0.32 - well below their long-term average of 0.61, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

JEF vs. SCHD — Risk / Return Rank

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

JEF

JEF Risk / Return Rank: 43
JEF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 44
JEF Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
JEF Omega Ratio Rank: 41
JEF Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
JEF Martin Ratio Rank: 45

SCHD

SCHD Risk / Return Rank: 86
SCHD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
SCHD Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
SCHD Omega Ratio Rank: 82
SCHD Calmar Ratio Rank: 93
SCHD Martin Ratio Rank: 81

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.

JEF vs. SCHD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Jefferies Financial Group Inc. (JEF) 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.

	JEF	SCHD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.02	2.17	-2.19
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.25	3.32	-3.07
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.04	1.38	-0.35
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.02	5.12	-5.14
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.05	12.47	-12.51

JEF vs. SCHD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current JEF Sharpe Ratio is -0.02, which is lower than the SCHD Sharpe Ratio of 2.17. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of JEF 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.

Drawdowns

JEF vs. SCHD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum JEF drawdown since its inception was -80.74%, which is greater than SCHD's maximum drawdown of -33.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for JEF and SCHD.

Drawdown Indicators

	JEF	SCHD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-80.74%	-33.37%	-47.37%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-48.05%	-4.61%	-43.44%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-54.39%	-16.13%	-38.26%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-54.39%	-16.85%	-37.54%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-54.39%	-33.37%	-21.02%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-32.89%	-0.03%	-32.86%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-25.54%	-3.31%	-22.23%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	22.21%	1.89%	+20.32%

Volatility

JEF vs. SCHD - Volatility Comparison

Jefferies Financial Group Inc. (JEF) has a higher volatility of 16.54% compared to Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) at 3.54%. This indicates that JEF'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

	JEF	SCHD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	16.54%	3.54%	+13.00%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	33.36%	7.70%	+25.66%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	43.00%	10.93%	+32.07%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	36.23%	14.36%	+21.87%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	35.11%	16.70%	+18.41%

Dividends

JEF vs. SCHD - Dividend Comparison

JEF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.04%, less than SCHD's 3.22% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
JEF Jefferies Financial Group Inc.	3.04%	2.58%	1.66%	2.97%	3.50%	2.32%	2.44%	8.07%	2.59%	1.23%	1.08%	1.44%
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

Can I hold both JEF and SCHD in my portfolio?

JEF and SCHD have a correlation of 0.32, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, JEF or SCHD?

JEF has higher volatility (16.54%) compared to SCHD (3.54%). In terms of maximum drawdown, JEF dropped -80.74% vs SCHD's -33.37%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SCHD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.17 vs -0.02), 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.