SCHD vs. AIS

Last updated Jun 21, 2026

SCHD (Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF) and AIS (VistaShares Artificial Intelligence Supercycle ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SCHD is a Dividend fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index, while AIS is a Technology Equities fund actively managed by VistaShares. SCHD is passively managed, while AIS is actively managed. Over the past year, SCHD returned 23.94% vs 224.93% for AIS. At a 0.22 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SCHD charges 0.06%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for AIS.

Performance

SCHD vs. AIS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) and VistaShares Artificial Intelligence Supercycle ETF (AIS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SCHD achieves a 17.13% return, which is significantly lower than AIS's 126.56% return.

SCHD

• 1D: -0.22%
• 1M: -1.21%
• YTD: 17.13%
• 6M: 17.00%
• 1Y: 23.94%
• 3Y*: 13.38%
• 5Y*: 9.07%
• 10Y*: 12.48%

AIS

• 1D: 7.08%
• 1M: 21.89%
• YTD: 126.56%
• 6M: 132.34%
• 1Y: 224.93%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

SCHD vs. AIS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
SCHD Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF	17.13%	4.34%	-6.02%
AIS VistaShares Artificial Intelligence Supercycle ETF	126.56%	58.35%	-4.74%

Correlation

The correlation between SCHD and AIS is 0.13, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.13
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 3, 2024	0.22

SCHD vs. AIS - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SCHD	AIS
Technology	19.4%	88.5%
Consumer Defensive	18.5%	-
Healthcare	18.4%	-
Energy	14.6%	-
Financial Services	9.1%	-0.0%
Industrials	7.4%	7.4%
Consumer Cyclical	6.7%	-
Communication Services	6.0%	-
Basic Materials	1.2%	-
Utilities	0.0%	2.6%
Real Estate	-	-

Return for Risk

SCHD vs. AIS — Risk / Return Rank

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

SCHD

SCHD Risk / Return Rank: 77
SCHD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
SCHD Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
SCHD Omega Ratio Rank: 70
SCHD Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
SCHD Martin Ratio Rank: 72

AIS

AIS Risk / Return Rank: 97
AIS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
AIS Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
AIS Omega Ratio Rank: 95
AIS Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
AIS Martin Ratio Rank: 97

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.

SCHD vs. AIS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) and VistaShares Artificial Intelligence Supercycle ETF (AIS). 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.

	SCHD	AIS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.20	5.47	-3.28
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.36	4.94	-1.58
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	1.70	-0.31
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.27	13.99	-8.72
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.86	43.12	-30.27

SCHD vs. AIS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SCHD Sharpe Ratio is 2.20, which is lower than the AIS Sharpe Ratio of 5.47. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SCHD and AIS, 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

SCHD vs. AIS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SCHD drawdown since its inception was -33.37%, roughly equal to the maximum AIS drawdown of -32.78%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SCHD and AIS.

Drawdown Indicators

	SCHD	AIS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.37%	-32.78%	-0.59%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.61%	-15.84%	+11.23%
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	-2.95%	0.00%	-2.95%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.31%	-5.48%	+2.17%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.89%	5.13%	-3.24%

Volatility

SCHD vs. AIS - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) is 3.58%, while VistaShares Artificial Intelligence Supercycle ETF (AIS) has a volatility of 21.62%. This indicates that SCHD experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than AIS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SCHD	AIS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.58%	21.62%	-18.04%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.75%	35.01%	-27.26%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.07%	40.50%	-29.43%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.38%	40.45%	-26.07%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.73%	40.45%	-23.72%

SCHD vs. AIS - Expense Ratio Comparison

SCHD has a 0.06% expense ratio, which is lower than AIS's 0.75% expense ratio.

Dividends

SCHD vs. AIS - Dividend Comparison

SCHD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.31%, while AIS has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AIS VistaShares Artificial Intelligence Supercycle ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	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	3.31%	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 SCHD and AIS in my portfolio?

SCHD and AIS have a correlation of 0.13, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SCHD or AIS?

AIS has higher volatility (21.62%) compared to SCHD (3.58%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SCHD dropped -33.37% vs AIS's -32.78%.

Which ETF is better, SCHD or AIS?

On 1-year performance, AIS leads with 224.93% vs 23.94% 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, SCHD or AIS?

Over the 1-year period, AIS has performed better with a 224.93% return vs 23.94%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SCHD or AIS?

SCHD is cheaper with a 0.06% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for AIS.

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

SCHD has the higher dividend yield at 3.31%, compared with 0.00% for AIS.

What is the main difference between SCHD and AIS?

SCHD is categorized as Dividend, while AIS is Technology Equities. They also come from different issuers: Charles Schwab and VistaShares. Their fees differ too: 0.06% for SCHD and 0.75% for AIS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AIS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (5.47 vs 2.20), 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.