QQQT vs. SCHD

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

QQQT (Defiance Nasdaq 100 Income Target ETF) and SCHD (Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QQQT is a Nasdaq-100 fund actively managed by Defiance, while SCHD is a Dividend fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index. QQQT is actively managed, while SCHD is passively managed. Over the past year, QQQT returned 33.79% vs 28.76% for SCHD. At a 0.27 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. QQQT charges 1.05%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for SCHD.

Performance

QQQT vs. SCHD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Defiance Nasdaq 100 Income Target ETF (QQQT) and Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with QQQT having a 19.12% return and SCHD slightly higher at 19.82%.

QQQT

• 1D: -0.28%
• 1M: 8.44%
• YTD: 19.12%
• 6M: 17.27%
• 1Y: 33.79%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SCHD

• 1D: 0.68%
• 1M: 2.84%
• YTD: 19.82%
• 6M: 19.65%
• 1Y: 28.76%
• 3Y*: 15.59%
• 5Y*: 8.50%
• 10Y*: 12.79%

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

QQQT vs. SCHD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
QQQT Defiance Nasdaq 100 Income Target ETF	19.12%	14.04%	4.51%
SCHD Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF	19.82%	4.34%	7.97%

Correlation

The correlation between QQQT and SCHD is 0.19, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.19
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 24, 2024	0.27

QQQT vs. SCHD - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QQQT	SCHD
Financial Services	99.8%	9.3%
Technology	54.2%	16.4%
Communication Services	15.5%	6.3%
Consumer Cyclical	12.2%	6.3%
Consumer Defensive	7.6%	19.2%
Healthcare	4.2%	18.8%
Industrials	2.8%	7.5%
Utilities	1.4%	0.0%
Basic Materials	1.2%	1.2%
Energy	0.6%	16.2%
Real Estate	0.1%	-

Return for Risk

QQQT vs. SCHD — Risk / Return Rank

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

QQQT

QQQT Risk / Return Rank: 65
QQQT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
QQQT Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
QQQT Omega Ratio Rank: 73
QQQT Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
QQQT Martin Ratio Rank: 55

SCHD

SCHD Risk / Return Rank: 85
SCHD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
SCHD Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
SCHD Omega Ratio Rank: 80
SCHD Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
SCHD Martin Ratio Rank: 80

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.

QQQT vs. SCHD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Defiance Nasdaq 100 Income Target ETF (QQQT) 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.

	QQQT	SCHD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.32	2.64	-0.32
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.14	4.08	-0.94
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	1.47	-0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.67	6.26	-3.59
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.36	15.38	-6.02
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

QQQT vs. SCHD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QQQT Sharpe Ratio is 2.32, which is comparable to the SCHD Sharpe Ratio of 2.64. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QQQT 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

	QQQT	SCHD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.32	2.64	-0.32
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.59	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.77	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.98	0.86	+0.12

Drawdowns

QQQT vs. SCHD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QQQT drawdown since its inception was -22.50%, smaller than the maximum SCHD drawdown of -33.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QQQT and SCHD.

Drawdown Indicators

	QQQT	SCHD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-22.50%	-33.37%	+10.87%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.73%	-4.61%	-8.12%
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	-0.57%	-0.73%	+0.16%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.00%	-3.32%	-0.68%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.62%	1.87%	+1.75%

Volatility

QQQT vs. SCHD - Volatility Comparison

Defiance Nasdaq 100 Income Target ETF (QQQT) has a higher volatility of 4.05% compared to Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) at 2.69%. This indicates that QQQT'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

	QQQT	SCHD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.05%	2.69%	+1.36%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.19%	7.65%	+3.54%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.62%	10.95%	+3.67%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.23%	14.38%	+5.85%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.23%	16.71%	+3.52%

QQQT vs. SCHD - Expense Ratio Comparison

QQQT has a 1.05% expense ratio, which is higher than SCHD's 0.06% expense ratio.

Dividends

QQQT vs. SCHD - Dividend Comparison

QQQT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 19.21%, more than SCHD's 3.24% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QQQT Defiance Nasdaq 100 Income Target ETF	19.21%	21.27%	10.35%	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	3.24%	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 QQQT and SCHD in my portfolio?

QQQT and SCHD have a correlation of 0.19, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QQQT or SCHD?

QQQT has higher volatility (4.05%) compared to SCHD (2.69%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QQQT dropped -22.50% vs SCHD's -33.37%.

Which ETF is better, QQQT or SCHD?

On 1-year performance, QQQT leads with 33.79% vs 28.76% for SCHD. On fees, SCHD is cheaper at 0.06% per year. On volatility, SCHD has been the lower-risk option at 2.69%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QQQT or SCHD?

Over the 1-year period, QQQT has performed better with a 33.79% return vs 28.76%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QQQT or SCHD?

SCHD is cheaper with a 0.06% expense ratio, compared with 1.05% for QQQT.

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

QQQT has the higher dividend yield at 19.21%, compared with 3.24% for SCHD.

What is the main difference between QQQT and SCHD?

QQQT is categorized as Nasdaq-100, while SCHD is Dividend. They also come from different issuers: Defiance and Charles Schwab. Their fees differ too: 1.05% for QQQT and 0.06% for SCHD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SCHD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.64 vs 2.32), 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.