SCHD vs. HIGH

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

SCHD (Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF) and HIGH (Simplify Enhanced Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SCHD is a Dividend fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index, while HIGH is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by Simplify. SCHD is passively managed, while HIGH is actively managed. Over the past 3 years, SCHD returned 14.60%/yr vs 2.72%/yr for HIGH. At a 0.21 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SCHD charges 0.06%/yr vs 0.51%/yr for HIGH.

Performance

SCHD vs. HIGH - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SCHD achieves a 17.72% return, which is significantly higher than HIGH's -0.79% return.

SCHD

• 1D: 0.41%
• 1M: -2.47%
• YTD: 17.72%
• 6M: 17.25%
• 1Y: 24.56%
• 3Y*: 14.60%
• 5Y*: 8.71%
• 10Y*: 12.72%

HIGH

• 1D: -0.82%
• 1M: 0.09%
• YTD: -0.79%
• 6M: -1.67%
• 1Y: -1.43%
• 3Y*: 2.72%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

SCHD vs. HIGH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
SCHD Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF	17.72%	4.34%	11.66%	4.54%	5.13%
HIGH Simplify Enhanced Income ETF	-0.79%	4.35%	1.52%	7.70%	0.47%

Correlation

The correlation between SCHD and HIGH is 0.29, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.29
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.24
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 28, 2022	0.21

Return for Risk

SCHD vs. HIGH — 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: 80
SCHD Omega Ratio Rank: 70
SCHD Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
SCHD Martin Ratio Rank: 71

HIGH

HIGH Risk / Return Rank: 7
HIGH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7
HIGH Sortino Ratio Rank: 6
HIGH Omega Ratio Rank: 6
HIGH Calmar Ratio Rank: 7
HIGH Martin Ratio Rank: 8

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. HIGH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) and Simplify Enhanced Income ETF (HIGH). 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	HIGH	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.23	-0.16	+2.39
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.40	-0.17	+3.57
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	0.98	+0.42
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.35	-0.15	+5.50
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.94	-0.21	+13.15

SCHD vs. HIGH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SCHD Sharpe Ratio is 2.23, which is higher than the HIGH Sharpe Ratio of -0.16. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SCHD and HIGH, 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. HIGH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SCHD drawdown since its inception was -33.37%, which is greater than HIGH's maximum drawdown of -9.50%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SCHD and HIGH.

Drawdown Indicators

	SCHD	HIGH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.37%	-9.50%	-23.87%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.61%	-9.50%	+4.89%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.13%	-9.50%	-6.63%
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	-2.47%	-7.50%	+5.03%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.31%	-2.44%	-0.87%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.90%	6.73%	-4.83%

Volatility

SCHD vs. HIGH - Volatility Comparison

Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) has a higher volatility of 3.58% compared to Simplify Enhanced Income ETF (HIGH) at 1.91%. This indicates that SCHD's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than HIGH based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SCHD	HIGH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.58%	1.91%	+1.67%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.73%	3.81%	+3.92%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.07%	8.79%	+2.28%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.36%	9.53%	+4.83%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.71%	9.53%	+7.18%

SCHD vs. HIGH - Expense Ratio Comparison

SCHD has a 0.06% expense ratio, which is lower than HIGH's 0.51% expense ratio.

Dividends

SCHD vs. HIGH - Dividend Comparison

SCHD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.30%, less than HIGH's 7.36% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
HIGH Simplify Enhanced Income ETF	7.36%	7.71%	8.34%	9.40%	0.62%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SCHD Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF	3.30%	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 HIGH in my portfolio?

SCHD and HIGH have a correlation of 0.29, 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 HIGH?

SCHD has higher volatility (3.58%) compared to HIGH (1.91%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SCHD dropped -33.37% vs HIGH's -9.50%.

Which ETF is better, SCHD or HIGH?

On 3-year performance, SCHD leads with 14.60% vs 2.72% for HIGH. On fees, SCHD is cheaper at 0.06% per year. On volatility, HIGH has been the lower-risk option at 1.91%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SCHD or HIGH?

Over the 3-year period, SCHD has performed better with a 14.60% return vs 2.72%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SCHD or HIGH?

SCHD is cheaper with a 0.06% expense ratio, compared with 0.51% for HIGH.

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

HIGH has the higher dividend yield at 7.36%, compared with 3.30% for SCHD.

What is the main difference between SCHD and HIGH?

SCHD is categorized as Dividend, while HIGH is Derivative Income. They also come from different issuers: Charles Schwab and Simplify. Their fees differ too: 0.06% for SCHD and 0.51% for HIGH.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SCHD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.23 vs -0.16), 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.