RDVY vs. SCHD

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

RDVY (First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF) and SCHD (Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF) are both Dividend funds - RDVY tracks the Nasdaq US Rising Dividend Achievers Index while SCHD tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, RDVY returned 16.52%/yr vs 12.72%/yr for SCHD. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. RDVY charges 0.47%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for SCHD.

Performance

RDVY vs. SCHD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF (RDVY) 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, RDVY achieves a 13.40% return, which is significantly lower than SCHD's 17.72% return. Over the past 10 years, RDVY has outperformed SCHD with an annualized return of 16.52%, while SCHD has yielded a comparatively lower 12.72% annualized return.

RDVY

• 1D: -1.41%
• 1M: 4.43%
• YTD: 13.40%
• 6M: 11.79%
• 1Y: 29.48%
• 3Y*: 21.67%
• 5Y*: 12.46%
• 10Y*: 16.52%

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)

RDVY vs. SCHD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
RDVY First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF	13.40%	18.90%	16.41%	20.38%	-13.27%	31.14%	13.47%	37.71%	-9.92%	22.75%
SCHD Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF	17.72%	4.34%	11.66%	4.54%	-3.26%	29.87%	15.03%	27.29%	-5.56%	20.85%

Correlation

The correlation between RDVY and SCHD is 0.52, 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	0.52
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.73
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.81
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.84
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 7, 2014	0.83

Over the past year, the correlation between RDVY and SCHD has dropped to 0.52 - well below their long-term average of 0.83, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

RDVY vs. SCHD - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	RDVY	SCHD
Financial Services	33.5%	9.1%
Technology	26.9%	19.4%
Industrials	13.6%	7.4%
Consumer Cyclical	10.9%	6.7%
Communication Services	5.5%	6.0%
Healthcare	3.9%	18.4%
Consumer Defensive	3.4%	18.5%
Energy	2.4%	14.6%
Utilities	1.4%	0.0%
Basic Materials	-	1.2%
Real Estate	-	-

Return for Risk

RDVY vs. SCHD — Risk / Return Rank

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

RDVY

RDVY Risk / Return Rank: 67
RDVY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
RDVY Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
RDVY Omega Ratio Rank: 61
RDVY Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
RDVY 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.

RDVY vs. SCHD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF (RDVY) 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.

	RDVY	SCHD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.05	2.23	-0.18
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.91	3.40	-0.49
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.40	-0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.28	5.35	-2.07
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.78	12.94	+0.85

RDVY vs. SCHD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RDVY Sharpe Ratio is 2.05, which is comparable to the SCHD Sharpe Ratio of 2.23. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RDVY 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

RDVY vs. SCHD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RDVY drawdown since its inception was -40.60%, which is greater than SCHD's maximum drawdown of -33.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RDVY and SCHD.

Drawdown Indicators

	RDVY	SCHD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-40.60%	-33.37%	-7.23%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.04%	-4.61%	-4.43%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.11%	-16.13%	-2.98%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.32%	-16.85%	-8.47%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-40.60%	-33.37%	-7.23%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.41%	-2.47%	+1.06%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.98%	-3.31%	-1.67%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.14%	1.90%	+0.24%

Volatility

RDVY vs. SCHD - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF (RDVY) has a higher volatility of 5.07% compared to Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) at 3.58%. This indicates that RDVY'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

	RDVY	SCHD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.07%	3.58%	+1.49%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.58%	7.73%	+3.85%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.50%	11.07%	+3.43%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.97%	14.36%	+4.61%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.10%	16.71%	+4.39%

RDVY vs. SCHD - Expense Ratio Comparison

RDVY has a 0.47% expense ratio, which is higher than SCHD's 0.06% expense ratio.

Dividends

RDVY vs. SCHD - Dividend Comparison

RDVY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.89%, less than SCHD's 3.30% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
RDVY First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF	0.89%	1.11%	1.64%	2.09%	2.21%	1.04%	1.53%	1.55%	1.68%	1.25%	2.07%	2.14%
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 RDVY and SCHD in my portfolio?

RDVY and SCHD have a correlation of 0.52, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, RDVY or SCHD?

RDVY has higher volatility (5.07%) compared to SCHD (3.58%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RDVY dropped -40.60% vs SCHD's -33.37%.

Which ETF is better, RDVY or SCHD?

On 10-year performance, RDVY leads with 16.52% vs 12.72% 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, RDVY or SCHD?

Over the 10-year period, RDVY has performed better with a 16.52% return vs 12.72%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, RDVY or SCHD?

SCHD is cheaper with a 0.06% expense ratio, compared with 0.47% for RDVY.

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

SCHD has the higher dividend yield at 3.30%, compared with 0.89% for RDVY.

What is the main difference between RDVY and SCHD?

RDVY tracks Nasdaq US Rising Dividend Achievers Index, while SCHD tracks Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Charles Schwab. Their fees differ too: 0.47% for RDVY and 0.06% for SCHD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SCHD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.23 vs 2.05), 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.