QCSTIX vs. SCHD

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

QCSTIX (CREF Total Global Stock Account Class R3) and SCHD (Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF) are both funds - QCSTIX is a Global Equities fund actively managed by TIAA-CREF, while SCHD is a Dividend fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index. QCSTIX is actively managed, while SCHD is passively managed. Over the past year, QCSTIX returned 29.78% vs 27.16% for SCHD. At a 0.45 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

QCSTIX vs. SCHD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in CREF Total Global Stock Account Class R3 (QCSTIX) 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, QCSTIX achieves a 12.76% return, which is significantly lower than SCHD's 19.01% return.

QCSTIX

• 1D: 0.53%
• 1M: 5.39%
• YTD: 12.76%
• 6M: 13.58%
• 1Y: 29.78%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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)

QCSTIX vs. SCHD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
QCSTIX CREF Total Global Stock Account Class R3	12.76%	20.05%	0.00%
SCHD Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF	19.01%	4.34%	-0.55%

Correlation

The correlation between QCSTIX and SCHD is 0.40, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.40
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 30, 2024	0.45

Return for Risk

QCSTIX vs. SCHD — Risk / Return Rank

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

QCSTIX

QCSTIX Risk / Return Rank: 64
QCSTIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
QCSTIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
QCSTIX Omega Ratio Rank: 60
QCSTIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
QCSTIX Martin Ratio Rank: 72

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.

QCSTIX vs. SCHD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for CREF Total Global Stock Account Class R3 (QCSTIX) 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.

	QCSTIX	SCHD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.36	2.49	-0.13
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.24	3.87	-0.63
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	1.45	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.05	5.91	-2.86
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.54	14.53	-0.99
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

QCSTIX vs. SCHD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QCSTIX Sharpe Ratio is 2.36, which is comparable to the SCHD Sharpe Ratio of 2.49. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QCSTIX 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

	QCSTIX	SCHD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.36	2.49	-0.13
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.58	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.77	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.60	0.86	+0.74

Drawdowns

QCSTIX vs. SCHD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QCSTIX drawdown since its inception was -16.98%, smaller than the maximum SCHD drawdown of -33.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QCSTIX and SCHD.

Drawdown Indicators

	QCSTIX	SCHD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-16.98%	-33.37%	+16.39%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.95%	-4.61%	-5.34%
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	-2.03%	-3.32%	+1.29%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.23%	1.88%	+0.35%

Volatility

QCSTIX vs. SCHD - Volatility Comparison

CREF Total Global Stock Account Class R3 (QCSTIX) has a higher volatility of 3.75% compared to Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) at 2.66%. This indicates that QCSTIX'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

	QCSTIX	SCHD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.75%	2.66%	+1.09%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.26%	7.66%	+2.60%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.87%	10.96%	+1.91%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.21%	14.38%	+0.83%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.21%	16.72%	-1.51%

Dividends

QCSTIX vs. SCHD - Dividend Comparison

QCSTIX has not paid dividends to shareholders, while SCHD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.26%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QCSTIX CREF Total Global Stock Account Class R3	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	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 QCSTIX and SCHD in my portfolio?

QCSTIX and SCHD have a correlation of 0.40, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QCSTIX or SCHD?

QCSTIX has higher volatility (3.75%) compared to SCHD (2.66%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QCSTIX dropped -16.98% vs SCHD's -33.37%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SCHD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.49 vs 2.36), 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.