SCHD vs. CAIQ

Last updated Jun 16, 2026

SCHD (Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF) and CAIQ (Calamos Nasdaq Autocallable Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SCHD is a Dividend fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index, while CAIQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the MerQube Nasdaq-100 Vol Advantage Autocallable Index. Both are passively managed. At a 0.17 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SCHD charges 0.06%/yr vs 0.74%/yr for CAIQ.

Performance

SCHD vs. CAIQ - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SCHD achieves a 19.96% return, which is significantly higher than CAIQ's 12.96% return.

SCHD

• 1D: -0.58%
• 1M: 2.87%
• YTD: 19.96%
• 6M: 18.54%
• 1Y: 25.99%
• 3Y*: 14.28%
• 5Y*: 8.90%
• 10Y*: 12.83%

CAIQ

• 1D: 0.83%
• 1M: 1.36%
• YTD: 12.96%
• 6M: 14.11%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

SCHD vs. CAIQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
SCHD Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF	19.96%	2.90%
CAIQ Calamos Nasdaq Autocallable Income ETF	12.96%	4.03%

Correlation

The correlation between SCHD and CAIQ is 0.17, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 20, 2025	0.17

Return for Risk

SCHD vs. CAIQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

SCHD

SCHD Risk / Return Rank: 85
SCHD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
SCHD Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
SCHD Omega Ratio Rank: 81
SCHD Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
SCHD Martin Ratio Rank: 80

CAIQ

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

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. CAIQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) and Calamos Nasdaq Autocallable Income ETF (CAIQ). 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	CAIQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.39	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.69	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.66	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.87	—	—

Drawdowns

SCHD vs. CAIQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SCHD drawdown since its inception was -33.37%, which is greater than CAIQ's maximum drawdown of -9.06%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SCHD and CAIQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	SCHD	CAIQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.37%	-9.06%	-24.31%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.61%	—	—
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	-0.61%	-0.52%	-0.09%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.31%	-1.70%	-1.61%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.88%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	SCHD	CAIQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.14%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.56%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.94%	13.91%	-2.97%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.39%	13.91%	+0.48%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.72%	13.91%	+2.81%

SCHD vs. CAIQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

SCHD has a 0.06% expense ratio, which is lower than CAIQ's 0.74% expense ratio.

Dividends

SCHD vs. CAIQ - Dividend Comparison

SCHD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.24%, less than CAIQ's 8.50% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CAIQ Calamos Nasdaq Autocallable Income ETF	8.50%	1.54%	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	3.24%	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 SCHD and CAIQ in my portfolio?

SCHD and CAIQ have a correlation of 0.17, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, SCHD or CAIQ?

On fees, SCHD is cheaper at 0.06% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, SCHD or CAIQ?

SCHD is cheaper with a 0.06% expense ratio, compared with 0.74% for CAIQ.

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

CAIQ has the higher dividend yield at 8.50%, compared with 3.24% for SCHD.

What is the main difference between SCHD and CAIQ?

SCHD is categorized as Dividend, while CAIQ is Nasdaq-100. SCHD tracks Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index, while CAIQ tracks MerQube Nasdaq-100 Vol Advantage Autocallable Index. They also come from different issuers: Charles Schwab and Calamos. Their fees differ too: 0.06% for SCHD and 0.74% for CAIQ.