LEAD vs. SCHD

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

LEAD (Siren DIVCON Leaders Dividend ETF) and SCHD (Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - LEAD is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the Siren DIVCON Leaders Dividend 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, LEAD returned 14.71%/yr vs 12.77%/yr for SCHD. A 0.73 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. LEAD charges 0.43%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for SCHD.

Performance

LEAD vs. SCHD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Siren DIVCON Leaders Dividend ETF (LEAD) 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, LEAD achieves a 15.75% return, which is significantly lower than SCHD's 19.01% return. Over the past 10 years, LEAD has outperformed SCHD with an annualized return of 14.71%, while SCHD has yielded a comparatively lower 12.77% annualized return.

LEAD

• 1D: 0.48%
• 1M: 4.84%
• YTD: 15.75%
• 6M: 14.25%
• 1Y: 25.56%
• 3Y*: 19.23%
• 5Y*: 12.16%
• 10Y*: 14.71%

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)

LEAD vs. SCHD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
LEAD Siren DIVCON Leaders Dividend ETF	15.75%	15.52%	10.32%	26.25%	-18.16%	29.69%	23.41%	33.75%	-6.63%	24.89%
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 LEAD and SCHD is 0.44, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.44
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.64
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.73
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.74
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 7, 2016	0.73

Over the past year, the correlation between LEAD and SCHD has dropped to 0.44 - well below their long-term average of 0.73, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

LEAD vs. SCHD - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	LEAD	SCHD
Technology	36.5%	16.4%
Industrials	31.1%	7.5%
Financial Services	16.2%	9.3%
Healthcare	5.7%	18.8%
Consumer Defensive	3.8%	19.2%
Consumer Cyclical	1.3%	6.3%
Energy	1.3%	16.2%
Communication Services	0.1%	6.3%
Basic Materials	-	1.2%
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	0.0%

Return for Risk

LEAD vs. SCHD — Risk / Return Rank

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

LEAD

LEAD Risk / Return Rank: 56
LEAD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 51
LEAD Sortino Ratio Rank: 51
LEAD Omega Ratio Rank: 49
LEAD Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
LEAD Martin Ratio Rank: 69

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.

LEAD vs. SCHD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Siren DIVCON Leaders Dividend ETF (LEAD) 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.

	LEAD	SCHD	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.77	2.49	-0.73
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.47	3.87	-1.40
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.45	-0.14
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.97	5.91	-2.94
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	12.66	14.53	-1.87
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

LEAD vs. SCHD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current LEAD Sharpe Ratio is 1.77, which is comparable to the SCHD Sharpe Ratio of 2.49. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of LEAD 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

	LEAD	SCHD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.77	2.49	-0.73
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.71	0.58	+0.12
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.79	0.77	+0.02
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.80	0.86	-0.06

Drawdowns

LEAD vs. SCHD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LEAD drawdown since its inception was -32.19%, roughly equal to the maximum SCHD drawdown of -33.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LEAD and SCHD.

Drawdown Indicators

	LEAD	SCHD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-32.19%	-33.37%	+1.18%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.65%	-4.61%	-4.04%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.86%	-16.13%	-1.73%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.93%	-16.85%	-8.08%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.19%	-33.37%	+1.18%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-1.40%	+1.40%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.42%	-3.32%	-1.10%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.02%	1.88%	+0.14%

Volatility

LEAD vs. SCHD - Volatility Comparison

Siren DIVCON Leaders Dividend ETF (LEAD) has a higher volatility of 4.12% compared to Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) at 2.66%. This indicates that LEAD'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

	LEAD	SCHD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.12%	2.66%	+1.46%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.33%	7.66%	+3.67%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.56%	10.96%	+3.60%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.34%	14.38%	+2.96%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.65%	16.72%	+1.93%

LEAD vs. SCHD - Expense Ratio Comparison

LEAD has a 0.43% expense ratio, which is higher than SCHD's 0.06% expense ratio.

Dividends

LEAD vs. SCHD - Dividend Comparison

LEAD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.58%, less than SCHD's 3.26% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
LEAD Siren DIVCON Leaders Dividend ETF	0.58%	0.70%	0.93%	1.13%	1.27%	1.79%	0.81%	1.32%	1.38%	0.97%	1.38%	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 LEAD and SCHD in my portfolio?

LEAD and SCHD have a correlation of 0.44, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, LEAD or SCHD?

LEAD has higher volatility (4.12%) compared to SCHD (2.66%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LEAD dropped -32.19% vs SCHD's -33.37%.

Which ETF is better, LEAD or SCHD?

On 10-year performance, LEAD leads with 14.71% vs 12.77% for SCHD. On fees, SCHD is cheaper at 0.06% per year. On volatility, SCHD has been the lower-risk option at 2.66%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, LEAD or SCHD?

Over the 10-year period, LEAD has performed better with a 14.71% return vs 12.77%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, LEAD or SCHD?

SCHD is cheaper with a 0.06% expense ratio, compared with 0.43% for LEAD.

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

SCHD has the higher dividend yield at 3.26%, compared with 0.58% for LEAD.

What is the main difference between LEAD and SCHD?

LEAD is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while SCHD is Dividend. LEAD tracks Siren DIVCON Leaders Dividend Index, while SCHD tracks Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index. They also come from different issuers: SRN Advisors and Charles Schwab. Their fees differ too: 0.43% for LEAD and 0.06% for SCHD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SCHD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.49 vs 1.77), 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.