SAEF vs. FDLS

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Schwab Ariel ESG ETF (SAEF) and Inspire Fidelis Multi Factor ETF (FDLS).

SAEF and FDLS are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. SAEF is an actively managed fund by Charles Schwab. It was launched on Nov 15, 2021. FDLS is a passively managed fund by Inspire that tracks the performance of the WI Fidelis Multi-Cap, Multi-Factor Index - Benchmark TR Gross. It was launched on Aug 23, 2022.

Performance

SAEF vs. FDLS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Schwab Ariel ESG ETF (SAEF) and Inspire Fidelis Multi Factor ETF (FDLS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

SAEF vs. FDLS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
SAEF Schwab Ariel ESG ETF	0.10%	2.31%	16.14%	17.87%	-4.58%
FDLS Inspire Fidelis Multi Factor ETF	3.62%	22.47%	7.41%	20.70%	-1.68%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SAEF achieves a 0.10% return, which is significantly lower than FDLS's 3.62% return.

SAEF

• 1D: 3.37%
• 1M: -8.16%
• YTD: 0.10%
• 6M: -1.45%
• 1Y: 12.83%
• 3Y*: 9.45%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

FDLS

• 1D: 2.61%
• 1M: -5.60%
• YTD: 3.62%
• 6M: 6.33%
• 1Y: 32.55%
• 3Y*: 17.02%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

SAEF vs. FDLS - Expense Ratio Comparison

SAEF has a 0.59% expense ratio, which is lower than FDLS's 0.76% expense ratio.

FDLS

Inspire Fidelis Multi Factor ETF

SAEF

Schwab Ariel ESG ETF

Return for Risk

SAEF vs. FDLS — Risk / Return Rank

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

SAEF

SAEF Risk / Return Rank: 30
SAEF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 29
SAEF Sortino Ratio Rank: 31
SAEF Omega Ratio Rank: 29
SAEF Calmar Ratio Rank: 34
SAEF Martin Ratio Rank: 28

FDLS

FDLS Risk / Return Rank: 82
FDLS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
FDLS Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
FDLS Omega Ratio Rank: 79
FDLS Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
FDLS Martin Ratio Rank: 86

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.

SAEF vs. FDLS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab Ariel ESG ETF (SAEF) and Inspire Fidelis Multi Factor ETF (FDLS). 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.

	SAEF	FDLS	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.54	1.51	-0.97
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	0.92	2.10	-1.19
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.12	1.30	-0.18
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.86	2.32	-1.47
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	2.36	10.20	-7.84
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SAEF vs. FDLS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SAEF Sharpe Ratio is 0.54, which is lower than the FDLS Sharpe Ratio of 1.51. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SAEF and FDLS, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	SAEF	FDLS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.54	1.51	-0.97
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.12	0.75	-0.63

Correlation

The correlation between SAEF and FDLS is 0.85, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.

Dividends

SAEF vs. FDLS - Dividend Comparison

SAEF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.38%, less than FDLS's 0.95% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
SAEF Schwab Ariel ESG ETF	0.38%	0.38%	0.46%	0.46%	0.61%	0.09%
FDLS Inspire Fidelis Multi Factor ETF	0.95%	0.86%	7.26%	0.97%	0.31%	0.00%

Drawdowns

SAEF vs. FDLS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SAEF drawdown since its inception was -28.05%, which is greater than FDLS's maximum drawdown of -23.32%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SAEF and FDLS.

Drawdown Indicators

	SAEF	FDLS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-28.05%	-23.32%	-4.73%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.75%	-14.05%	-0.70%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-9.69%	-6.22%	-3.47%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.66%	-4.00%	-6.66%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.37%	3.20%	+2.17%

Volatility

SAEF vs. FDLS - Volatility Comparison

Schwab Ariel ESG ETF (SAEF) and Inspire Fidelis Multi Factor ETF (FDLS) have volatilities of 7.20% and 7.42%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SAEF	FDLS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.20%	7.42%	-0.22%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.34%	13.67%	+0.67%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	23.86%	21.60%	+2.26%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.51%	19.24%	+2.27%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.51%	19.24%	+2.27%