QQA vs. SCHD

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

QQA (Invesco QQQ Income Advantage ETF) and SCHD (Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QQA is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by Invesco, while SCHD is a Dividend fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index. QQA is actively managed, while SCHD is passively managed. Over the past year, QQA returned 28.19% vs 24.56% for SCHD. At a 0.31 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. QQA charges 0.29%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for SCHD.

Performance

QQA vs. SCHD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Invesco QQQ Income Advantage ETF (QQA) 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, QQA achieves a 12.34% return, which is significantly lower than SCHD's 17.72% return.

QQA

• 1D: -1.80%
• 1M: 0.69%
• YTD: 12.34%
• 6M: 11.54%
• 1Y: 28.19%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SCHD

• 1D: 0.41%
• 1M: -2.47%
• YTD: 17.72%
• 6M: 17.25%
• 1Y: 24.56%
• 3Y*: 14.60%
• 5Y*: 8.71%
• 10Y*: 12.72%

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

QQA vs. SCHD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
QQA Invesco QQQ Income Advantage ETF	12.34%	17.24%	5.92%
SCHD Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF	17.72%	4.34%	2.71%

Correlation

The correlation between QQA and SCHD is 0.21, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.21
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 17, 2024	0.31

The correlation between QQA and SCHD shifts across timeframes, from 0.21 (1 year) to 0.31 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

QQA vs. SCHD - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QQA	SCHD
Technology	58.7%	19.4%
Communication Services	14.3%	6.0%
Consumer Cyclical	11.4%	6.7%
Consumer Defensive	6.4%	18.5%
Healthcare	3.7%	18.4%
Industrials	2.6%	7.4%
Utilities	1.2%	0.0%
Basic Materials	1.0%	1.2%
Energy	0.5%	14.6%
Financial Services	0.2%	9.1%
Real Estate	0.1%	-

Return for Risk

QQA vs. SCHD — Risk / Return Rank

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

QQA

QQA Risk / Return Rank: 67
QQA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
QQA Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
QQA Omega Ratio Rank: 64
QQA Calmar Ratio Rank: 67
QQA Martin Ratio Rank: 76

SCHD

SCHD Risk / Return Rank: 77
SCHD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
SCHD Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
SCHD Omega Ratio Rank: 70
SCHD Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
SCHD Martin Ratio Rank: 71

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.

QQA vs. SCHD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco QQQ Income Advantage ETF (QQA) 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	QQA	SCHD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.03	2.23	-0.20
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.74	3.40	-0.66
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.40	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.23	5.35	-2.11
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.90	12.94	+0.97

QQA vs. SCHD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QQA Sharpe Ratio is 2.03, which is comparable to the SCHD Sharpe Ratio of 2.23. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QQA 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.

Drawdowns

QQA vs. SCHD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QQA drawdown since its inception was -19.73%, smaller than the maximum SCHD drawdown of -33.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QQA and SCHD.

Drawdown Indicators

	QQA	SCHD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.73%	-33.37%	+13.64%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.76%	-4.61%	-4.15%
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	-2.14%	-2.47%	+0.33%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.53%	-3.31%	+0.78%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.03%	1.90%	+0.13%

Volatility

QQA vs. SCHD - Volatility Comparison

Invesco QQQ Income Advantage ETF (QQA) has a higher volatility of 6.67% compared to Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) at 3.58%. This indicates that QQA'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

	QQA	SCHD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.67%	3.58%	+3.09%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.28%	7.73%	+3.55%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.95%	11.07%	+2.88%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.59%	14.36%	+4.23%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.59%	16.71%	+1.88%

QQA vs. SCHD - Expense Ratio Comparison

QQA has a 0.29% expense ratio, which is higher than SCHD's 0.06% expense ratio.

Dividends

QQA vs. SCHD - Dividend Comparison

QQA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.70%, more than SCHD's 3.30% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QQA Invesco QQQ Income Advantage ETF	9.70%	9.78%	4.29%	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	3.30%	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 QQA and SCHD in my portfolio?

QQA and SCHD have a correlation of 0.21, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QQA or SCHD?

QQA has higher volatility (6.67%) compared to SCHD (3.58%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QQA dropped -19.73% vs SCHD's -33.37%.

Which ETF is better, QQA or SCHD?

On 1-year performance, QQA leads with 28.19% vs 24.56% for SCHD. On fees, SCHD is cheaper at 0.06% per year. On volatility, SCHD has been the lower-risk option at 3.58%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QQA or SCHD?

Over the 1-year period, QQA has performed better with a 28.19% return vs 24.56%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QQA or SCHD?

SCHD is cheaper with a 0.06% expense ratio, compared with 0.29% for QQA.

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

QQA has the higher dividend yield at 9.70%, compared with 3.30% for SCHD.

What is the main difference between QQA and SCHD?

QQA is categorized as Derivative Income, while SCHD is Dividend. They also come from different issuers: Invesco and Charles Schwab. Their fees differ too: 0.29% for QQA and 0.06% for SCHD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SCHD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.23 vs 2.03), 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.