STFAX vs. SCHD

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

STFAX (State Street Equity 500 Index Fund) and SCHD (Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF) are both funds - STFAX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by State Street, while SCHD is a Dividend fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index. Over the past 10 years, STFAX returned 15.35%/yr vs 12.68%/yr for SCHD. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. STFAX charges 0.17%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for SCHD.

Performance

STFAX vs. SCHD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in State Street Equity 500 Index Fund (STFAX) 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, STFAX achieves a 10.10% return, which is significantly lower than SCHD's 17.24% return. Over the past 10 years, STFAX has outperformed SCHD with an annualized return of 15.35%, while SCHD has yielded a comparatively lower 12.68% annualized return.

STFAX

• 1D: 1.08%
• 1M: 0.46%
• YTD: 10.10%
• 6M: 9.59%
• 1Y: 26.95%
• 3Y*: 20.77%
• 5Y*: 13.89%
• 10Y*: 15.35%

SCHD

• 1D: 0.09%
• 1M: -2.86%
• YTD: 17.24%
• 6M: 16.44%
• 1Y: 24.06%
• 3Y*: 14.45%
• 5Y*: 8.77%
• 10Y*: 12.68%

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

STFAX vs. SCHD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
STFAX State Street Equity 500 Index Fund	10.10%	17.63%	24.80%	26.09%	-18.28%	28.31%	18.14%	31.13%	-4.52%	21.43%
SCHD Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF	17.24%	4.34%	11.66%	4.54%	-3.26%	29.87%	15.03%	27.29%	-5.56%	20.85%

Correlation

The correlation between STFAX and SCHD is 0.35, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.35
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.54
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.70
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.76
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 20, 2011	0.81

Over the past year, the correlation between STFAX and SCHD has dropped to 0.35 - well below their long-term average of 0.81, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

STFAX vs. SCHD — Risk / Return Rank

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

STFAX

STFAX Risk / Return Rank: 65
STFAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
STFAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
STFAX Omega Ratio Rank: 59
STFAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 67
STFAX Martin Ratio Rank: 78

SCHD

SCHD Risk / Return Rank: 76
SCHD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
SCHD Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
SCHD Omega Ratio Rank: 68
SCHD Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
SCHD Martin Ratio Rank: 71

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.

STFAX vs. SCHD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for State Street Equity 500 Index Fund (STFAX) 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.

	STFAX	SCHD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.15	2.18	-0.03
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.91	3.34	-0.43
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	1.39	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.01	5.24	-2.23
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.59	12.71	+0.88

STFAX vs. SCHD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current STFAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.15, which is comparable to the SCHD Sharpe Ratio of 2.18. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of STFAX 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

STFAX vs. SCHD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum STFAX drawdown since its inception was -57.29%, which is greater than SCHD's maximum drawdown of -33.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for STFAX and SCHD.

Drawdown Indicators

	STFAX	SCHD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-57.29%	-33.37%	-23.92%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.91%	-4.61%	-4.30%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.76%	-16.13%	-2.63%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.57%	-16.85%	-7.72%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.76%	-33.37%	-0.39%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.36%	-2.86%	+1.50%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.19%	-3.31%	-6.88%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.97%	1.90%	+0.07%

Volatility

STFAX vs. SCHD - Volatility Comparison

State Street Equity 500 Index Fund (STFAX) has a higher volatility of 4.76% compared to Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) at 3.58%. This indicates that STFAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SCHD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	STFAX	SCHD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.76%	3.58%	+1.18%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.90%	7.74%	+2.16%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.46%	11.09%	+1.37%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.98%	14.36%	+2.62%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.07%	16.73%	+1.34%

STFAX vs. SCHD - Expense Ratio Comparison

STFAX has a 0.17% expense ratio, which is higher than SCHD's 0.06% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

STFAX vs. SCHD - Dividend Comparison

STFAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.17%, less than SCHD's 3.31% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SCHD Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF	3.31%	3.82%	3.64%	3.49%	3.39%	2.78%	3.16%	2.98%	3.06%	2.63%	2.89%	2.97%
STFAX State Street Equity 500 Index Fund	1.17%	1.29%	1.47%	1.63%	2.01%	2.61%	1.71%	4.28%	5.02%	5.78%	1.92%	1.69%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both STFAX and SCHD in my portfolio?

STFAX and SCHD have a correlation of 0.35, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, STFAX or SCHD?

STFAX has higher volatility (4.76%) compared to SCHD (3.58%). In terms of maximum drawdown, STFAX dropped -57.29% vs SCHD's -33.37%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SCHD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.18 vs 2.15), 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.