SCHD vs. YLD
SCHD (Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF) and YLD (Principal Active High Yield ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SCHD is a Dividend fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index, while YLD is a High Yield Bonds fund actively managed by Principal. SCHD is passively managed, while YLD is actively managed. Over the past 10 years, SCHD returned 12.91%/yr vs 5.85%/yr for YLD. At a 0.43 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SCHD charges 0.06%/yr vs 0.39%/yr for YLD.
Performance
SCHD vs. YLD - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, SCHD achieves a 20.66% return, which is significantly higher than YLD's 3.11% return. Over the past 10 years, SCHD has outperformed YLD with an annualized return of 12.91%, while YLD has yielded a comparatively lower 5.85% annualized return.
SCHD
- 1D
- 0.89%
- 1M
- 3.47%
- YTD
- 20.66%
- 6M
- 19.57%
- 1Y
- 26.72%
- 3Y*
- 14.90%
- 5Y*
- 8.75%
- 10Y*
- 12.91%
YLD
- 1D
- 0.48%
- 1M
- 1.27%
- YTD
- 3.11%
- 6M
- 3.78%
- 1Y
- 7.53%
- 3Y*
- 8.77%
- 5Y*
- 4.83%
- 10Y*
- 5.85%
SCHD vs. YLD - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SCHD Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF | 20.66% | 4.34% | 11.66% | 4.54% | -3.26% | 29.87% | 15.03% | 27.29% | -5.56% | 20.85% |
YLD Principal Active High Yield ETF | 3.11% | 6.55% | 9.19% | 12.93% | -8.78% | 9.17% | 1.50% | 13.58% | -3.30% | 9.12% |
Correlation
The correlation between SCHD and YLD is 0.30, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.30 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.41 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.45 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.43 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 9, 2015 | 0.43 |
The correlation between SCHD and YLD shifts across timeframes, from 0.30 (1 year) to 0.45 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
SCHD vs. YLD — Risk / Return Rank
SCHD
YLD
SCHD vs. YLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) and Principal Active High Yield ETF (YLD). 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 | YLD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.73 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.19 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.43 | 1.31 | +0.12 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 5.70 | 3.70 | +2.00 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 13.97 | 12.68 | +1.28 |
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Drawdowns
SCHD vs. YLD - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum SCHD drawdown since its inception was -33.37%, which is greater than YLD's maximum drawdown of -28.34%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SCHD and YLD.
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Drawdown Indicators
| SCHD | YLD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -33.37% | -28.34% | -5.03% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -4.61% | -1.98% | -2.63% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -16.13% | -5.62% | -10.51% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -16.85% | -13.89% | -2.96% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -33.37% | -28.34% | -5.03% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.03% | -0.11% | +0.08% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.31% | -2.70% | -0.61% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.89% | 0.58% | +1.31% |
Volatility
SCHD vs. YLD - Volatility Comparison
Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) has a higher volatility of 3.05% compared to Principal Active High Yield ETF (YLD) at 1.34%. This indicates that SCHD's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than YLD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| SCHD | YLD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.05% | 1.34% | +1.71% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 7.53% | 3.50% | +4.03% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 10.93% | 4.36% | +6.57% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 14.38% | 6.39% | +7.99% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 16.72% | 8.20% | +8.52% |
SCHD vs. YLD - Expense Ratio Comparison
SCHD has a 0.06% expense ratio, which is lower than YLD's 0.39% expense ratio.
Dividends
SCHD vs. YLD - Dividend Comparison
SCHD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.22%, less than YLD's 7.25% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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% |
YLD Principal Active High Yield ETF | 7.25% | 7.33% | 7.12% | 6.46% | 6.51% | 3.92% | 4.40% | 4.81% | 5.42% | 6.28% | 4.47% | 2.56% |
Frequently Asked Questions
SCHD and YLD have a correlation of 0.30, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
SCHD has higher volatility (3.05%) compared to YLD (1.34%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SCHD dropped -33.37% vs YLD's -28.34%.
On 10-year performance, SCHD leads with 12.91% vs 5.85% for YLD. On fees, SCHD is cheaper at 0.06% per year. On volatility, YLD has been the lower-risk option at 1.34%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, SCHD has performed better with a 12.91% return vs 5.85%. 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 0.39% for YLD.
YLD has the higher dividend yield at 7.25%, compared with 3.22% for SCHD.
SCHD is categorized as Dividend, while YLD is High Yield Bonds. They also come from different issuers: Charles Schwab and Principal. Their fees differ too: 0.06% for SCHD and 0.39% for YLD.
SCHD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.41 vs 1.68), 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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