SCHD vs. FRDM
SCHD (Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF) and FRDM (Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SCHD is a Dividend fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index, while FRDM is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund tracking the Life + Liberty Freedom 100 Emerging Markets Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, SCHD returned 8.75%/yr vs 18.68%/yr for FRDM. A 0.52 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SCHD charges 0.06%/yr vs 0.49%/yr for FRDM.
Performance
SCHD vs. FRDM - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, SCHD achieves a 20.66% return, which is significantly lower than FRDM's 40.13% return.
SCHD
- 1D
- 0.89%
- 1M
- 3.21%
- YTD
- 20.66%
- 6M
- 19.57%
- 1Y
- 26.72%
- 3Y*
- 14.90%
- 5Y*
- 8.75%
- 10Y*
- 12.91%
FRDM
- 1D
- 0.49%
- 1M
- 4.97%
- YTD
- 40.13%
- 6M
- 46.37%
- 1Y
- 87.32%
- 3Y*
- 34.29%
- 5Y*
- 18.68%
- 10Y*
- —
SCHD vs. FRDM - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SCHD Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF | 20.66% | 4.34% | 11.66% | 4.54% | -3.26% | 29.87% | 15.03% | 14.36% |
FRDM Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF | 40.13% | 61.27% | 1.70% | 22.77% | -14.45% | 6.13% | 16.90% | 12.23% |
Correlation
The correlation between SCHD and FRDM is 0.25, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.25 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.37 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.48 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 23, 2019 | 0.52 |
Over the past year, the correlation between SCHD and FRDM has dropped to 0.25 - well below their long-term average of 0.52, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.
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Return for Risk
SCHD vs. FRDM — Risk / Return Rank
SCHD
FRDM
SCHD vs. FRDM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) and Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF (FRDM). 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 | FRDM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.74 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.04 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.43 | 1.54 | -0.11 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 5.70 | 5.02 | +0.68 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 13.97 | 19.36 | -5.40 |
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Drawdowns
SCHD vs. FRDM - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum SCHD drawdown since its inception was -33.37%, smaller than the maximum FRDM drawdown of -40.49%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SCHD and FRDM.
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Drawdown Indicators
| SCHD | FRDM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -33.37% | -40.49% | +7.12% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -4.61% | -16.87% | +12.26% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -16.13% | -16.87% | +0.74% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -16.85% | -29.25% | +12.40% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -33.37% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.03% | -4.36% | +4.33% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.31% | -7.09% | +3.78% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.89% | 4.37% | -2.48% |
Volatility
SCHD vs. FRDM - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) is 3.05%, while Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF (FRDM) has a volatility of 14.27%. This indicates that SCHD experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FRDM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| SCHD | FRDM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.05% | 14.27% | -11.22% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 7.53% | 24.39% | -16.86% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 10.93% | 26.86% | -15.93% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 14.38% | 21.35% | -6.97% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 16.72% | 23.09% | -6.37% |
SCHD vs. FRDM - Expense Ratio Comparison
SCHD has a 0.06% expense ratio, which is lower than FRDM's 0.49% expense ratio.
Dividends
SCHD vs. FRDM - Dividend Comparison
SCHD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.22%, more than FRDM's 1.56% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FRDM Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF | 1.56% | 2.26% | 2.53% | 2.66% | 2.72% | 2.17% | 1.11% | 1.07% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
SCHD Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF | 3.22% | 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
SCHD and FRDM have a correlation of 0.25, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
FRDM has higher volatility (14.27%) compared to SCHD (3.05%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SCHD dropped -33.37% vs FRDM's -40.49%.
On 5-year performance, FRDM leads with 18.68% vs 8.75% for SCHD. On fees, SCHD is cheaper at 0.06% per year. On volatility, SCHD has been the lower-risk option at 3.05%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, FRDM has performed better with a 18.68% return vs 8.75%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
SCHD is cheaper with a 0.06% expense ratio, compared with 0.49% for FRDM.
SCHD has the higher dividend yield at 3.22%, compared with 1.56% for FRDM.
SCHD is categorized as Dividend, while FRDM is Emerging Markets Diversified. SCHD tracks Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index, while FRDM tracks Life + Liberty Freedom 100 Emerging Markets Index. They also come from different issuers: Charles Schwab and Freedom Funds. Their fees differ too: 0.06% for SCHD and 0.49% for FRDM.
FRDM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.15 vs 2.41), 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.
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