NELS vs. FNDB

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

NELS (Nelson Select ETF) and FNDB (Schwab Fundamental U.S. Broad Market Index ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - NELS is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by Nelson Capital Management, while FNDB is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the RAFI Fundamental High Liquidity US All Index. NELS is actively managed, while FNDB is passively managed. A 0.77 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. NELS charges 1.69%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for FNDB.

Performance

NELS vs. FNDB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Nelson Select ETF (NELS) and Schwab Fundamental U.S. Broad Market Index ETF (FNDB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NELS achieves a 9.49% return, which is significantly lower than FNDB's 13.46% return.

NELS

• 1D: -2.87%
• 1M: 1.32%
• YTD: 9.49%
• 6M: 9.64%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

FNDB

• 1D: -1.61%
• 1M: 0.98%
• YTD: 13.46%
• 6M: 13.63%
• 1Y: 31.83%
• 3Y*: 20.04%
• 5Y*: 12.19%
• 10Y*: 13.79%

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

NELS vs. FNDB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
NELS Nelson Select ETF	9.49%	2.42%
FNDB Schwab Fundamental U.S. Broad Market Index ETF	13.46%	3.89%

Correlation

The correlation between NELS and FNDB is 0.77, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 16, 2025	0.77

Return for Risk

NELS vs. FNDB — Risk / Return Rank

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

FNDB

FNDB Risk / Return Rank: 89
FNDB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 89
FNDB Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
FNDB Omega Ratio Rank: 88
FNDB Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
FNDB Martin Ratio Rank: 89

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.

NELS vs. FNDB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Nelson Select ETF (NELS) and Schwab Fundamental U.S. Broad Market Index ETF (FNDB). 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.

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	NELS	FNDB	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	2.95	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.80	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.79	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.34	0.78	+0.56

Drawdowns

NELS vs. FNDB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NELS drawdown since its inception was -9.30%, smaller than the maximum FNDB drawdown of -38.17%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NELS and FNDB.

Drawdown Indicators

	NELS	FNDB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-9.30%	-38.17%	+28.87%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-6.29%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-16.83%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-19.29%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-38.17%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.88%	-1.61%	-1.27%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.61%	-3.66%	+2.05%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	1.64%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	NELS	FNDB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	2.81%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	7.80%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.80%	10.86%	+3.94%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.80%	15.38%	-0.58%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.80%	17.48%	-2.68%

NELS vs. FNDB - Expense Ratio Comparison

NELS has a 1.69% expense ratio, which is higher than FNDB's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

NELS vs. FNDB - Dividend Comparison

NELS has not paid dividends to shareholders, while FNDB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.46%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FNDB Schwab Fundamental U.S. Broad Market Index ETF	1.46%	1.62%	1.74%	1.80%	1.98%	1.63%	2.15%	2.23%	2.41%	1.91%	2.06%	2.26%
NELS Nelson Select ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NELS and FNDB in my portfolio?

NELS and FNDB have a correlation of 0.77, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, NELS or FNDB?

On fees, FNDB is cheaper at 0.25% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, NELS or FNDB?

FNDB is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 1.69% for NELS.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, NELS or FNDB?

FNDB has the higher dividend yield at 1.46%, compared with 0.00% for NELS.

What is the main difference between NELS and FNDB?

NELS is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while FNDB is Large Cap Value Equities. They also come from different issuers: Nelson Capital Management and Charles Schwab. Their fees differ too: 1.69% for NELS and 0.25% for FNDB.