SPDV vs. SCHD

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

SPDV (AAM S&P 500 High Dividend Value ETF) and SCHD (Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF) are both Dividend funds - SPDV tracks the S&P 500 Dividend and Free Cash Flow Yield Index while SCHD tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, SPDV returned 8.27%/yr vs 8.49%/yr for SCHD. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SPDV charges 0.29%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for SCHD.

Performance

SPDV vs. SCHD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in AAM S&P 500 High Dividend Value ETF (SPDV) and Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SPDV achieves a 14.63% return, which is significantly lower than SCHD's 19.01% return.

SPDV

• 1D: 0.35%
• 1M: 3.08%
• YTD: 14.63%
• 6M: 15.97%
• 1Y: 28.90%
• 3Y*: 17.01%
• 5Y*: 8.27%
• 10Y*: —

SCHD

• 1D: 0.59%
• 1M: 1.60%
• YTD: 19.01%
• 6M: 20.36%
• 1Y: 28.08%
• 3Y*: 15.09%
• 5Y*: 8.49%
• 10Y*: 12.77%

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

SPDV vs. SCHD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SPDV AAM S&P 500 High Dividend Value ETF	14.63%	10.90%	14.40%	5.45%	-2.27%	29.54%	-6.09%	20.46%	-6.59%	3.65%
SCHD Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF	19.01%	4.34%	11.66%	4.54%	-3.26%	29.87%	15.03%	27.29%	-5.56%	2.91%

Correlation

The correlation between SPDV and SCHD is 0.84, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.84
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.88
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 30, 2017	0.89

The correlation between SPDV and SCHD has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.84 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

SPDV vs. SCHD - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SPDV	SCHD
Consumer Cyclical	13.5%	6.3%
Energy	12.3%	16.2%
Technology	11.1%	16.4%
Healthcare	9.7%	18.8%
Financial Services	9.2%	9.3%
Consumer Defensive	9.1%	19.2%
Real Estate	8.7%	-
Industrials	7.8%	7.5%
Communication Services	7.8%	6.3%
Utilities	5.8%	0.0%
Basic Materials	5.1%	1.2%

Return for Risk

SPDV vs. SCHD — Risk / Return Rank

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

SPDV

SPDV Risk / Return Rank: 76
SPDV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
SPDV Sortino Ratio Rank: 77
SPDV Omega Ratio Rank: 69
SPDV Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
SPDV Martin Ratio Rank: 74

SCHD

SCHD Risk / Return Rank: 82
SCHD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 78
SCHD Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
SCHD Omega Ratio Rank: 76
SCHD Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
SCHD Martin Ratio Rank: 77

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.

SPDV vs. SCHD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for AAM S&P 500 High Dividend Value ETF (SPDV) and Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD). 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.

	SPDV	SCHD	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.39	2.57	-0.19
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.52	3.98	-0.46
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.46	-0.04
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.96	6.17	-1.21
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	14.31	15.20	-0.89
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SPDV vs. SCHD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SPDV Sharpe Ratio is 2.39, which is comparable to the SCHD Sharpe Ratio of 2.57. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SPDV and SCHD, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	SPDV	SCHD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.39	2.57	-0.19
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.51	0.59	-0.08
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.77	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.46	0.86	-0.40

Drawdowns

SPDV vs. SCHD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SPDV drawdown since its inception was -43.81%, which is greater than SCHD's maximum drawdown of -33.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPDV and SCHD.

Drawdown Indicators

	SPDV	SCHD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-43.81%	-33.37%	-10.44%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.80%	-4.61%	-1.19%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.62%	-16.13%	-2.49%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.31%	-16.85%	-4.46%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.37%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.24%	-1.40%	+1.16%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.57%	-3.32%	-3.25%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.01%	1.87%	+0.14%

Volatility

SPDV vs. SCHD - Volatility Comparison

AAM S&P 500 High Dividend Value ETF (SPDV) and Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) have volatilities of 2.96% and 2.92%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SPDV	SCHD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.96%	2.92%	+0.04%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.16%	7.66%	+0.50%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.17%	10.96%	+1.21%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.30%	14.38%	+1.92%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.32%	16.72%	+3.60%

SPDV vs. SCHD - Expense Ratio Comparison

SPDV has a 0.29% expense ratio, which is higher than SCHD's 0.06% expense ratio.

Dividends

SPDV vs. SCHD - Dividend Comparison

SPDV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.30%, more than SCHD's 3.26% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SCHD Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF	3.26%	3.82%	3.64%	3.49%	3.39%	2.78%	3.16%	2.98%	3.06%	2.63%	2.89%	2.97%
SPDV AAM S&P 500 High Dividend Value ETF	3.30%	3.85%	3.54%	3.95%	3.73%	3.08%	3.90%	3.54%	3.63%	0.28%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SPDV and SCHD in my portfolio?

SPDV and SCHD have a correlation of 0.84, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SPDV or SCHD?

SPDV has higher volatility (2.96%) compared to SCHD (2.92%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SPDV dropped -43.81% vs SCHD's -33.37%.

Which ETF is better, SPDV or SCHD?

On 5-year performance, SCHD leads with 8.49% vs 8.27% for SPDV. On fees, SCHD is cheaper at 0.06% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SPDV or SCHD?

Over the 5-year period, SCHD has performed better with a 8.49% return vs 8.27%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SPDV or SCHD?

SCHD is cheaper with a 0.06% expense ratio, compared with 0.29% for SPDV.

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

SPDV has the higher dividend yield at 3.30%, compared with 3.26% for SCHD.

What is the main difference between SPDV and SCHD?

SPDV tracks S&P 500 Dividend and Free Cash Flow Yield Index, while SCHD tracks Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index. They also come from different issuers: Advisors Asset Management and Charles Schwab. Their fees differ too: 0.29% for SPDV and 0.06% for SCHD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SCHD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.57 vs 2.39), 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.