SPYT vs. SCHD

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

SPYT (Defiance S&P 500 Income Target ETF) and SCHD (Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SPYT is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by Defiance, while SCHD is a Dividend fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index. SPYT is actively managed, while SCHD is passively managed. Over the past year, SPYT returned 18.21% vs 31.54% for SCHD. Their 0.43 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. SPYT charges 0.87%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for SCHD.

Performance

SPYT vs. SCHD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Defiance S&P 500 Income Target ETF (SPYT) 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, SPYT achieves a 9.33% return, which is significantly lower than SCHD's 24.03% return.

SPYT

• 1D: 0.58%
• 1M: 0.41%
• 6M: 7.91%
• YTD: 9.33%
• 1Y: 18.21%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 14.80%

SCHD

• 1D: 0.18%
• 1M: 3.33%
• 6M: 14.09%
• YTD: 24.03%
• 1Y: 31.54%
• 3Y*: 14.19%
• 5Y*: 9.54%
• 10Y*: 12.76%
• ALL TIME*: 13.39%

*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	$786.88M	$715.86M	$685.58M
SPYT Defiance S&P 500 Income Target ETF	$1.78M	$2.10M	$2.34M

SPYT vs. SCHD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
SPYT Defiance S&P 500 Income Target ETF	9.33%	12.41%	13.30%
SCHD Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF	24.03%	4.34%	8.45%

Correlation

The correlation between SPYT and SCHD is 0.25, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.25
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 7, 2024	0.43

The correlation between SPYT and SCHD shifts across timeframes, from 0.25 (1 year) to 0.43 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

SPYT vs. SCHD - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SPYT	SCHD
Technology	38.5%	12.7%
Financial Services	11.6%	9.9%
Communication Services	9.9%	6.2%
Consumer Cyclical	9.5%	7.7%
Healthcare	8.9%	20.8%
Industrials	8.4%	7.8%
Consumer Defensive	4.5%	20.6%
Energy	3.0%	14.1%
Utilities	2.2%	0.1%
Real Estate	1.8%	-
Basic Materials	1.7%	1.2%

Return for Risk

SPYT vs. SCHD — Risk / Return Rank

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

SPYT

SPYT Risk / Return Rank: 62
SPYT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
SPYT Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
SPYT Omega Ratio Rank: 63
SPYT Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
SPYT Martin Ratio Rank: 71

SCHD

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

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.

SPYT vs. SCHD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Defiance S&P 500 Income Target ETF (SPYT) 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.

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.

	SPYT	SCHD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.39	2.81	-1.42
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.94	4.37	-2.43
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	1.51	-0.24
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.05	6.74	-4.69
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.74	17.01	-8.27

SPYT vs. SCHD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SPYT Sharpe Ratio is 1.39, which is lower than the SCHD Sharpe Ratio of 2.81. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SPYT 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.

Drawdowns

SPYT vs. SCHD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SPYT drawdown since its inception was -18.25%, smaller than the maximum SCHD drawdown of -33.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPYT and SCHD.

Drawdown Indicators

	SPYT	SCHD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.25%	-33.37%	+15.12%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.00%	-4.61%	-3.39%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-16.13%	—
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	-1.01%	-1.24%	+0.23%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.98%	-3.30%	+1.32%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.87%	1.82%	+0.05%

Volatility

SPYT vs. SCHD - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Defiance S&P 500 Income Target ETF (SPYT) is 3.18%, while Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) has a volatility of 4.11%. This indicates that SPYT experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SCHD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SPYT	SCHD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.18%	4.11%	-0.93%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.40%	8.11%	+1.29%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.77%	11.13%	+0.64%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.73%	14.39%	+0.34%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.73%	16.72%	-1.99%

SPYT vs. SCHD - Expense Ratio Comparison

SPYT has a 0.87% expense ratio, which is higher than SCHD's 0.06% expense ratio.

Dividends

SPYT vs. SCHD - Dividend Comparison

SPYT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 21.05%, more than SCHD's 3.13% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SCHD Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF	3.13%	3.82%	3.64%	3.49%	3.39%	2.78%	3.16%	2.98%	3.06%	2.63%	2.89%	2.97%
SPYT Defiance S&P 500 Income Target ETF	19.19%	21.40%	17.37%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SPYT and SCHD in my portfolio?

SPYT and SCHD have a correlation of 0.25, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SPYT or SCHD?

SCHD has higher volatility (4.11%) compared to SPYT (3.18%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SPYT dropped -18.25% vs SCHD's -33.37%.

Which ETF is better, SPYT or SCHD?

On 1-year performance, SCHD leads with 31.54% vs 18.21% for SPYT. On fees, SCHD is cheaper at 0.06% per year. On volatility, SPYT has been the lower-risk option at 3.18%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SPYT or SCHD?

Over the 1-year period, SCHD has performed better with a 31.54% return vs 18.21%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SPYT or SCHD?

SCHD is cheaper with a 0.06% expense ratio, compared with 0.87% for SPYT.

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

SPYT has the higher dividend yield at 19.19%, compared with 3.13% for SCHD.

What is the main difference between SPYT and SCHD?

SPYT is categorized as Derivative Income, while SCHD is Dividend. They also come from different issuers: Defiance and Charles Schwab. Their fees differ too: 0.87% for SPYT and 0.06% for SCHD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SCHD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.81 vs 1.39), 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.