SCHD vs. SEMI

Last updated Aug 6, 2026

SCHD (Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF) and SEMI (Columbia Select Technology ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SCHD is a Dividend fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index, while SEMI is a Semiconductors fund actively managed by Columbia. SCHD is passively managed, while SEMI is actively managed. Over the past 3 years, SCHD returned 14.97%/yr vs 25.61%/yr for SEMI. Their 0.40 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. SCHD charges 0.06%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for SEMI.

Performance

SCHD vs. SEMI - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SCHD achieves a 24.66% return, which is significantly lower than SEMI's 25.91% return.

SCHD

• 1D: -0.62%
• 1M: 4.34%
• 6M: 10.27%
• YTD: 24.66%
• 1Y: 30.42%
• 3Y*: 14.97%
• 5Y*: 9.52%
• 10Y*: 12.73%
• ALL TIME*: 13.42%

SEMI

• 1D: -0.44%
• 1M: 0.12%
• 6M: 28.91%
• YTD: 25.91%
• 1Y: 40.40%
• 3Y*: 25.61%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 17.47%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
SCHD Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF	$862.86M	$734.09M	$695.28M
SEMI Columbia Select Technology ETF	$405.44K	$337.99K	$560.40K

SCHD vs. SEMI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
SCHD Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF	24.66%	4.34%	11.66%	4.54%	-2.96%
SEMI Columbia Select Technology ETF	25.91%	24.91%	15.87%	45.37%	-23.94%

Correlation

The correlation between SCHD and SEMI is -0.06, meaning there was essentially no consistent relationship between their historical price movements. Each responded to its own set of market drivers.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	-0.06
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.23
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 30, 2022	0.40

The correlation between SCHD and SEMI shifts across timeframes, from -0.06 (1 year) to 0.40 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

SCHD vs. SEMI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SCHD	SEMI
Healthcare	20.8%	-
Consumer Defensive	20.6%	-
Energy	14.1%	-
Technology	12.7%	86.3%
Financial Services	9.9%	3.3%
Industrials	7.8%	-
Consumer Cyclical	7.7%	3.3%
Communication Services	6.2%	7.0%
Basic Materials	1.2%	-
Utilities	0.1%	-
Real Estate	-	-

Return for Risk

SCHD vs. SEMI — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

SCHD

SCHD Risk / Return Rank: 94
SCHD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
SCHD Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
SCHD Omega Ratio Rank: 93
SCHD Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
SCHD Martin Ratio Rank: 91

SEMI

SEMI Risk / Return Rank: 55
SEMI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 52
SEMI Sortino Ratio Rank: 49
SEMI Omega Ratio Rank: 48
SEMI Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
SEMI Martin Ratio Rank: 62

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

SCHD vs. SEMI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) and Columbia Select Technology ETF (SEMI). 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	SEMI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.77	1.47	+1.30
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.30	2.00	+2.30
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.50	1.25	+0.24
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	6.62	2.63	+3.99
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.71	8.48	+8.24

SCHD vs. SEMI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SCHD Sharpe Ratio is 2.77, which is higher than the SEMI Sharpe Ratio of 1.47. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SCHD and SEMI, 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. SEMI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SCHD drawdown since its inception was -33.37%, roughly equal to the maximum SEMI drawdown of -33.46%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SCHD and SEMI.

Drawdown Indicators

	SCHD	SEMI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.37%	-33.46%	+0.09%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.61%	-15.42%	+10.81%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.13%	-32.93%	+16.80%
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	-0.74%	-5.28%	+4.54%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.29%	-9.78%	+6.49%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.82%	4.78%	-2.96%

Volatility

SCHD vs. SEMI - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) is 3.84%, while Columbia Select Technology ETF (SEMI) has a volatility of 10.97%. This indicates that SCHD experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SEMI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SCHD	SEMI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.84%	10.97%	-7.13%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.89%	23.57%	-15.68%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.06%	27.70%	-16.64%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.38%	32.12%	-17.74%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.73%	32.12%	-15.39%

SCHD vs. SEMI - Expense Ratio Comparison

SCHD has a 0.06% expense ratio, which is lower than SEMI's 0.75% expense ratio.

Dividends

SCHD vs. SEMI - Dividend Comparison

SCHD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.12%, less than SEMI's 3.56% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SCHD Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF	3.12%	3.82%	3.64%	3.49%	3.39%	2.78%	3.16%	2.98%	3.06%	2.63%	2.89%	2.97%
SEMI Columbia Select Technology ETF	3.56%	4.48%	0.96%	0.87%	0.67%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SCHD and SEMI in my portfolio?

SCHD and SEMI have a correlation of -0.06, 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 SEMI?

SEMI has higher volatility (10.97%) compared to SCHD (3.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SCHD dropped -33.37% vs SEMI's -33.46%.

Which ETF is better, SCHD or SEMI?

On 3-year performance, SEMI leads with 25.61% vs 14.97% for SCHD. On fees, SCHD is cheaper at 0.06% per year. On volatility, SCHD has been the lower-risk option at 3.84%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SCHD or SEMI?

Over the 3-year period, SEMI has performed better with a 25.61% return vs 14.97%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SCHD or SEMI?

SCHD is cheaper with a 0.06% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for SEMI.

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

SEMI has the higher dividend yield at 3.56%, compared with 3.12% for SCHD.

What is the main difference between SCHD and SEMI?

SCHD is categorized as Dividend, while SEMI is Semiconductors. They also come from different issuers: Charles Schwab and Columbia. Their fees differ too: 0.06% for SCHD and 0.75% for SEMI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SCHD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.77 vs 1.47), 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.