SCHD vs. PULS

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

SCHD (Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF) and PULS (PGIM Ultra Short Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SCHD is a Dividend fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index, while PULS is a Ultrashort Bond fund actively managed by PGIM. SCHD is passively managed, while PULS is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, SCHD returned 8.75%/yr vs 4.14%/yr for PULS. At a 0.08 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SCHD charges 0.06%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for PULS.

Performance

SCHD vs. PULS - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SCHD achieves a 20.66% return, which is significantly higher than PULS's 1.88% return.

SCHD

• 1D: 0.89%
• 1M: 3.37%
• YTD: 20.66%
• 6M: 19.57%
• 1Y: 26.16%
• 3Y*: 14.90%
• 5Y*: 8.75%
• 10Y*: 12.91%

PULS

• 1D: 0.04%
• 1M: 0.40%
• YTD: 1.88%
• 6M: 2.10%
• 1Y: 4.70%
• 3Y*: 5.59%
• 5Y*: 4.14%
• 10Y*: —

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

SCHD vs. PULS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
SCHD Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF	20.66%	4.34%	11.66%	4.54%	-3.26%	29.87%	15.03%	27.29%	-0.61%
PULS PGIM Ultra Short Bond ETF	1.88%	4.97%	6.12%	6.26%	1.52%	0.48%	1.47%	2.97%	1.71%

Correlation

The correlation between SCHD and PULS is 0.18, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.18
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.13
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.11
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 10, 2018	0.08

The correlation between SCHD and PULS shifts across timeframes, from 0.08 (all time) to 0.18 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

SCHD vs. PULS - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SCHD	PULS
Consumer Defensive	19.2%	-
Healthcare	18.8%	-
Technology	16.4%	-
Energy	16.2%	-
Financial Services	9.3%	1.5%
Industrials	7.5%	-
Communication Services	6.3%	-
Consumer Cyclical	6.3%	-
Basic Materials	1.2%	-
Utilities	0.0%	-
Real Estate	-	-

Return for Risk

SCHD vs. PULS — Risk / Return Rank

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

SCHD

SCHD Risk / Return Rank: 87
SCHD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
SCHD Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
SCHD Omega Ratio Rank: 83
SCHD Calmar Ratio Rank: 93
SCHD Martin Ratio Rank: 81

PULS

PULS Risk / Return Rank: 99
PULS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 100
PULS Sortino Ratio Rank: 99
PULS Omega Ratio Rank: 99
PULS Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
PULS Martin Ratio Rank: 99

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. PULS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) and PGIM Ultra Short Bond ETF (PULS). 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	PULS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.41	11.41	-9.00
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.72	32.91	-29.19
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	7.59	-6.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.70	52.47	-46.77
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.97	317.38	-303.42

SCHD vs. PULS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SCHD Sharpe Ratio is 2.41, which is lower than the PULS Sharpe Ratio of 11.41. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SCHD and PULS, 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. PULS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SCHD drawdown since its inception was -33.37%, which is greater than PULS's maximum drawdown of -5.85%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SCHD and PULS.

Drawdown Indicators

	SCHD	PULS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.37%	-5.85%	-27.52%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.61%	-0.09%	-4.52%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.13%	-0.34%	-15.79%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-16.85%	-0.79%	-16.06%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.37%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.03%	0.00%	-0.03%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.31%	-0.09%	-3.22%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.89%	0.01%	+1.88%

Volatility

SCHD vs. PULS - Volatility Comparison

Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) has a higher volatility of 3.05% compared to PGIM Ultra Short Bond ETF (PULS) at 0.11%. This indicates that SCHD's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PULS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SCHD	PULS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.05%	0.11%	+2.94%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.53%	0.30%	+7.23%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.93%	0.41%	+10.52%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.38%	0.70%	+13.68%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.72%	1.33%	+15.39%

SCHD vs. PULS - Expense Ratio Comparison

SCHD has a 0.06% expense ratio, which is lower than PULS's 0.15% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

SCHD vs. PULS - Dividend Comparison

SCHD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.22%, less than PULS's 4.57% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PULS PGIM Ultra Short Bond ETF	4.57%	4.78%	5.62%	5.48%	2.30%	1.19%	1.85%	2.69%	1.87%	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

Can I hold both SCHD and PULS in my portfolio?

SCHD and PULS have a correlation of 0.18, 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 PULS?

SCHD has higher volatility (3.05%) compared to PULS (0.11%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SCHD dropped -33.37% vs PULS's -5.85%.

Which ETF is better, SCHD or PULS?

On 5-year performance, SCHD leads with 8.75% vs 4.14% for PULS. On fees, SCHD is cheaper at 0.06% per year. On volatility, PULS has been the lower-risk option at 0.11%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SCHD or PULS?

Over the 5-year period, SCHD has performed better with a 8.75% return vs 4.14%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SCHD or PULS?

SCHD is cheaper with a 0.06% expense ratio, compared with 0.15% for PULS.

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

PULS has the higher dividend yield at 4.57%, compared with 3.22% for SCHD.

What is the main difference between SCHD and PULS?

SCHD is categorized as Dividend, while PULS is Ultrashort Bond. They also come from different issuers: Charles Schwab and PGIM. Their fees differ too: 0.06% for SCHD and 0.15% for PULS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PULS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (11.41 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.