SCHD vs. FDL

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SCHD (Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF) and FDL (First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - SCHD is a Dividend fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index, while FDL is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SCHD returned 12.77%/yr vs 11.24%/yr for FDL. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SCHD charges 0.06%/yr vs 0.45%/yr for FDL.

Performance

SCHD vs. FDL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) and First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund (FDL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SCHD achieves a 19.01% return, which is significantly higher than FDL's 13.33% return. Over the past 10 years, SCHD has outperformed FDL with an annualized return of 12.77%, while FDL has yielded a comparatively lower 11.24% annualized return.

SCHD

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 2.70%
• YTD: 19.01%
• 6M: 18.63%
• 1Y: 27.16%
• 3Y*: 15.09%
• 5Y*: 8.36%
• 10Y*: 12.77%

FDL

• 1D: -0.26%
• 1M: -0.26%
• YTD: 13.33%
• 6M: 14.76%
• 1Y: 23.67%
• 3Y*: 18.97%
• 5Y*: 12.51%
• 10Y*: 11.24%

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

SCHD vs. FDL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SCHD Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF	19.01%	4.34%	11.66%	4.54%	-3.26%	29.87%	15.03%	27.29%	-5.56%	20.85%
FDL First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund	13.33%	14.79%	17.98%	2.94%	6.66%	26.10%	-4.30%	24.41%	-5.99%	12.02%

Correlation

The correlation between SCHD and FDL is 0.90, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.90
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.90
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.91
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 21, 2011	0.90

The correlation between SCHD and FDL has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.90 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

SCHD vs. FDL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SCHD	FDL
Consumer Defensive	19.2%	14.7%
Healthcare	18.8%	16.8%
Technology	16.4%	1.1%
Energy	16.2%	27.3%
Financial Services	9.3%	15.1%
Industrials	7.5%	3.8%
Communication Services	6.3%	10.6%
Consumer Cyclical	6.3%	3.8%
Basic Materials	1.2%	0.3%
Utilities	0.0%	6.5%
Real Estate	-	-

Return for Risk

SCHD vs. FDL — Risk / Return Rank

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

SCHD

SCHD Risk / Return Rank: 80
SCHD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
SCHD Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
SCHD Omega Ratio Rank: 73
SCHD Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
SCHD Martin Ratio Rank: 75

FDL

FDL Risk / Return Rank: 70
FDL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
FDL Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
FDL Omega Ratio Rank: 59
FDL Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
FDL 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.

SCHD vs. FDL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) and First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund (FDL). 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.

	SCHD	FDL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.49	2.11	+0.39
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.87	3.25	+0.61
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.45	1.37	+0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.91	5.56	+0.35
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.53	13.56	+0.97
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SCHD vs. FDL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SCHD Sharpe Ratio is 2.49, which is comparable to the FDL Sharpe Ratio of 2.11. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SCHD and FDL, 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

	SCHD	FDL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.49	2.11	+0.39
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.58	0.88	-0.29
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.77	0.66	+0.11
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.86	0.45	+0.41

Drawdowns

SCHD vs. FDL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SCHD drawdown since its inception was -33.37%, smaller than the maximum FDL drawdown of -65.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SCHD and FDL.

Drawdown Indicators

	SCHD	FDL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.37%	-65.93%	+32.56%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.61%	-4.27%	-0.34%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.13%	-12.24%	-3.89%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-16.85%	-16.46%	-0.39%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.37%	-41.40%	+8.03%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.40%	-2.18%	+0.78%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.32%	-9.66%	+6.34%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.88%	1.75%	+0.13%

Volatility

SCHD vs. FDL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) is 2.66%, while First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund (FDL) has a volatility of 2.85%. This indicates that SCHD experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FDL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SCHD	FDL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.66%	2.85%	-0.19%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.66%	7.87%	-0.21%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.96%	11.28%	-0.32%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.38%	14.31%	+0.07%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.72%	17.11%	-0.39%

SCHD vs. FDL - Expense Ratio Comparison

SCHD has a 0.06% expense ratio, which is lower than FDL's 0.45% expense ratio.

Dividends

SCHD vs. FDL - Dividend Comparison

SCHD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.26%, less than FDL's 3.68% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FDL First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund	3.68%	4.04%	4.96%	4.58%	3.58%	4.59%	4.48%	3.75%	3.97%	3.18%	2.93%	3.65%
SCHD Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF	3.26%	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 FDL in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.90, SCHD and FDL move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, SCHD or FDL?

FDL has higher volatility (2.85%) compared to SCHD (2.66%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SCHD dropped -33.37% vs FDL's -65.93%.

Which ETF is better, SCHD or FDL?

On 10-year performance, SCHD leads with 12.77% vs 11.24% for FDL. On fees, SCHD is cheaper at 0.06% per year. On volatility, SCHD has been the lower-risk option at 2.66%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SCHD or FDL?

Over the 10-year period, SCHD has performed better with a 12.77% return vs 11.24%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SCHD or FDL?

SCHD is cheaper with a 0.06% expense ratio, compared with 0.45% for FDL.

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

FDL has the higher dividend yield at 3.68%, compared with 3.26% for SCHD.

What is the main difference between SCHD and FDL?

SCHD is categorized as Dividend, while FDL is Large Cap Value Equities. SCHD tracks Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index, while FDL tracks Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index. They also come from different issuers: Charles Schwab and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.06% for SCHD and 0.45% for FDL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SCHD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.49 vs 2.11), 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.