MAA vs. SCHD

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

MAA (Mid-America Apartment Communities, 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, MAA returned 6.33%/yr vs 12.77%/yr for SCHD. At a 0.45 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

MAA vs. SCHD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc. (MAA) 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, MAA achieves a -4.96% return, which is significantly lower than SCHD's 19.01% return. Over the past 10 years, MAA has underperformed SCHD with an annualized return of 6.33%, while SCHD has yielded a comparatively higher 12.77% annualized return.

MAA

• 1D: 0.65%
• 1M: 0.31%
• YTD: -4.96%
• 6M: -2.39%
• 1Y: -13.35%
• 3Y*: -0.96%
• 5Y*: -0.99%
• 10Y*: 6.33%

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)

MAA vs. SCHD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
MAA Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc.	-4.96%	-6.36%	19.94%	-10.44%	-29.75%	85.87%	-0.64%	42.52%	-1.06%	6.28%
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 MAA and SCHD is 0.46, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.46
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.54
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.55
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.46
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 21, 2011	0.45

The correlation between MAA and SCHD has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.45 to 0.55 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

MAA vs. SCHD — Risk / Return Rank

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

MAA

MAA Risk / Return Rank: 12
MAA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 10
MAA Sortino Ratio Rank: 11
MAA Omega Ratio Rank: 13
MAA Calmar Ratio Rank: 15
MAA Martin Ratio Rank: 13

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.

MAA vs. SCHD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc. (MAA) 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.

	MAA	SCHD	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	-0.73	2.57	-3.31
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	-0.95	3.98	-4.93
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.89	1.46	-0.57
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.70	6.17	-6.87
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	-1.21	15.20	-16.41
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MAA vs. SCHD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MAA Sharpe Ratio is -0.73, which is lower than the SCHD Sharpe Ratio of 2.57. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MAA 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

	MAA	SCHD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.73	2.57	-3.31
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.05	0.59	-0.64
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.26	0.77	-0.50
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.44	0.86	-0.42

Drawdowns

MAA vs. SCHD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MAA drawdown since its inception was -60.29%, which is greater than SCHD's maximum drawdown of -33.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MAA and SCHD.

Drawdown Indicators

	MAA	SCHD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-60.29%	-33.37%	-26.92%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-19.49%	-4.61%	-14.88%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.41%	-16.13%	-10.28%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-45.01%	-16.85%	-28.16%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-45.01%	-33.37%	-11.64%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-32.84%	-1.40%	-31.44%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.39%	-3.32%	-7.07%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	11.49%	1.87%	+9.62%

Volatility

MAA vs. SCHD - Volatility Comparison

Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc. (MAA) has a higher volatility of 4.06% compared to Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) at 2.92%. This indicates that MAA'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

	MAA	SCHD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.06%	2.92%	+1.14%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.55%	7.66%	+5.89%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.33%	10.96%	+7.37%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.10%	14.38%	+7.72%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.12%	16.72%	+7.40%

Dividends

MAA vs. SCHD - Dividend Comparison

MAA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.72%, more than SCHD's 3.26% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
MAA Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc.	4.72%	4.36%	3.80%	4.96%	2.98%	1.79%	3.16%	2.91%	3.86%	3.46%	3.35%	3.39%
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 MAA and SCHD in my portfolio?

MAA and SCHD have a correlation of 0.46, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MAA or SCHD?

MAA has higher volatility (4.06%) compared to SCHD (2.92%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MAA dropped -60.29% vs SCHD's -33.37%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SCHD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.57 vs -0.73), 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.