QDEF vs. SCHD

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

QDEF (FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund) and SCHD (Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QDEF is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Northern Trust Quality Dividend Defensive 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, QDEF returned 12.34%/yr vs 12.77%/yr for SCHD. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. QDEF charges 0.37%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for SCHD.

Performance

QDEF vs. SCHD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund (QDEF) 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, QDEF achieves a 8.81% return, which is significantly lower than SCHD's 19.01% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with QDEF having a 12.34% annualized return and SCHD not far ahead at 12.77%.

QDEF

• 1D: -0.47%
• 1M: 3.94%
• YTD: 8.81%
• 6M: 8.87%
• 1Y: 23.31%
• 3Y*: 19.60%
• 5Y*: 12.64%
• 10Y*: 12.34%

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)

QDEF vs. SCHD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
QDEF FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund	8.81%	17.43%	21.19%	17.48%	-10.94%	26.04%	3.15%	24.90%	-4.10%	17.04%
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 QDEF and SCHD is 0.56, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.56
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.72
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.82
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.84
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 20, 2012	0.85

Over the past year, the correlation between QDEF and SCHD has dropped to 0.56 - well below their long-term average of 0.85, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

QDEF vs. SCHD - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QDEF	SCHD
Technology	32.8%	16.4%
Financial Services	11.5%	9.3%
Healthcare	11.4%	18.8%
Communication Services	7.7%	6.3%
Consumer Defensive	7.4%	19.2%
Consumer Cyclical	7.3%	6.3%
Industrials	6.7%	7.5%
Real Estate	5.4%	-
Energy	4.0%	16.2%
Basic Materials	3.0%	1.2%
Utilities	2.9%	0.0%

Return for Risk

QDEF vs. SCHD — Risk / Return Rank

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

QDEF

QDEF Risk / Return Rank: 73
QDEF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
QDEF Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
QDEF Omega Ratio Rank: 75
QDEF Calmar Ratio Rank: 67
QDEF Martin Ratio Rank: 76

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.

QDEF vs. SCHD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund (QDEF) 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.

	QDEF	SCHD	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.44	2.49	-0.06
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.46	3.87	-0.41
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.45	1.45	0.00
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.37	5.91	-2.55
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	14.62	14.53	+0.09
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

QDEF vs. SCHD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QDEF Sharpe Ratio is 2.44, which is comparable to the SCHD Sharpe Ratio of 2.49. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QDEF 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

	QDEF	SCHD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.44	2.49	-0.06
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.92	0.58	+0.34
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.77	0.77	0.00
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.84	0.86	-0.02

Drawdowns

QDEF vs. SCHD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QDEF drawdown since its inception was -35.74%, which is greater than SCHD's maximum drawdown of -33.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QDEF and SCHD.

Drawdown Indicators

	QDEF	SCHD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.74%	-33.37%	-2.37%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.95%	-4.61%	-2.34%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.43%	-16.13%	+1.70%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.37%	-16.85%	-4.52%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.74%	-33.37%	-2.37%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.47%	-1.40%	+0.93%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.29%	-3.32%	+0.03%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.60%	1.88%	-0.28%

Volatility

QDEF vs. SCHD - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund (QDEF) is 2.31%, while Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) has a volatility of 2.66%. This indicates that QDEF experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SCHD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QDEF	SCHD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.31%	2.66%	-0.35%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.16%	7.66%	-0.50%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.62%	10.96%	-1.34%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.78%	14.38%	-0.60%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.17%	16.72%	-0.55%

QDEF vs. SCHD - Expense Ratio Comparison

QDEF has a 0.37% expense ratio, which is higher than SCHD's 0.06% expense ratio.

Dividends

QDEF vs. SCHD - Dividend Comparison

QDEF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.59%, less than SCHD's 3.26% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QDEF FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund	1.59%	1.74%	1.85%	2.21%	2.42%	1.84%	2.50%	3.17%	7.10%	2.70%	2.90%	3.00%
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 QDEF and SCHD in my portfolio?

QDEF and SCHD have a correlation of 0.56, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QDEF or SCHD?

SCHD has higher volatility (2.66%) compared to QDEF (2.31%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QDEF dropped -35.74% vs SCHD's -33.37%.

Which ETF is better, QDEF or SCHD?

On 10-year performance, SCHD leads with 12.77% vs 12.34% for QDEF. On fees, SCHD is cheaper at 0.06% per year. On volatility, QDEF has been the lower-risk option at 2.31%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QDEF or SCHD?

Over the 10-year period, SCHD has performed better with a 12.77% return vs 12.34%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QDEF or SCHD?

SCHD is cheaper with a 0.06% expense ratio, compared with 0.37% for QDEF.

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

SCHD has the higher dividend yield at 3.26%, compared with 1.59% for QDEF.

What is the main difference between QDEF and SCHD?

QDEF is categorized as Large Cap Value Equities, while SCHD is Dividend. QDEF tracks Northern Trust Quality Dividend Defensive Index, while SCHD tracks Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index. They also come from different issuers: FlexShares and Charles Schwab. Their fees differ too: 0.37% for QDEF and 0.06% for SCHD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SCHD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.49 vs 2.44), 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.