SUSL vs. SCHD

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

SUSL (iShares ESG MSCI USA Leaders ETF) and SCHD (Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SUSL is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the MSCI USA Extended ESG Leaders Index, while SCHD is a Dividend fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, SUSL returned 13.53%/yr vs 8.77%/yr for SCHD. A 0.69 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SUSL charges 0.10%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for SCHD.

Performance

SUSL vs. SCHD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares ESG MSCI USA Leaders ETF (SUSL) 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, SUSL achieves a 8.59% return, which is significantly lower than SCHD's 17.24% return.

SUSL

• 1D: -0.69%
• 1M: -0.20%
• YTD: 8.59%
• 6M: 8.01%
• 1Y: 27.59%
• 3Y*: 21.39%
• 5Y*: 13.53%
• 10Y*: —

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)

SUSL vs. SCHD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
SUSL iShares ESG MSCI USA Leaders ETF	8.59%	18.97%	23.51%	29.08%	-20.22%	31.53%	18.89%	15.09%
SCHD Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF	17.24%	4.34%	11.66%	4.54%	-3.26%	29.87%	15.03%	13.36%

Correlation

The correlation between SUSL and SCHD 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	0.49
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.66
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 10, 2019	0.69

Over the past year, the correlation between SUSL and SCHD has dropped to 0.30 - well below their long-term average of 0.69, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

SUSL vs. SCHD - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SUSL	SCHD
Technology	36.5%	19.4%
Communication Services	13.8%	6.0%
Financial Services	10.5%	9.1%
Healthcare	9.3%	18.4%
Consumer Cyclical	8.9%	6.7%
Industrials	7.8%	7.4%
Consumer Defensive	5.2%	18.5%
Energy	2.0%	14.6%
Real Estate	2.0%	-
Basic Materials	2.0%	1.2%
Utilities	1.7%	0.0%

Return for Risk

SUSL vs. SCHD — Risk / Return Rank

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

SUSL

SUSL Risk / Return Rank: 60
SUSL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
SUSL Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
SUSL Omega Ratio Rank: 63
SUSL Calmar Ratio Rank: 51
SUSL Martin Ratio Rank: 60

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.

SUSL vs. SCHD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares ESG MSCI USA Leaders ETF (SUSL) 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.

	SUSL	SCHD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.06	2.18	-0.13
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.84	3.34	-0.50
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.39	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.44	5.24	-2.80
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.34	12.71	-2.37

SUSL vs. SCHD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SUSL Sharpe Ratio is 2.06, which is comparable to the SCHD Sharpe Ratio of 2.18. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SUSL 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

SUSL vs. SCHD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SUSL drawdown since its inception was -34.26%, roughly equal to the maximum SCHD drawdown of -33.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SUSL and SCHD.

Drawdown Indicators

	SUSL	SCHD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.26%	-33.37%	-0.89%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.37%	-4.61%	-6.76%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.91%	-16.13%	-3.78%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.98%	-16.85%	-10.13%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.37%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.00%	-2.86%	+0.86%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.67%	-3.31%	-2.36%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.67%	1.90%	+0.77%

Volatility

SUSL vs. SCHD - Volatility Comparison

iShares ESG MSCI USA Leaders ETF (SUSL) has a higher volatility of 4.84% compared to Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) at 3.58%. This indicates that SUSL'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

	SUSL	SCHD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.84%	3.58%	+1.26%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.76%	7.74%	+3.02%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.51%	11.09%	+2.42%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.57%	14.36%	+3.21%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.80%	16.73%	+3.07%

SUSL vs. SCHD - Expense Ratio Comparison

SUSL has a 0.10% 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

SUSL vs. SCHD - Dividend Comparison

SUSL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.95%, 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%
SUSL iShares ESG MSCI USA Leaders ETF	0.95%	0.99%	1.10%	1.27%	1.57%	1.12%	1.38%	1.12%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SUSL and SCHD in my portfolio?

SUSL and SCHD 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.

Which is riskier, SUSL or SCHD?

SUSL has higher volatility (4.84%) compared to SCHD (3.58%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SUSL dropped -34.26% vs SCHD's -33.37%.

Which ETF is better, SUSL or SCHD?

On 5-year performance, SUSL leads with 13.53% vs 8.77% for SCHD. On fees, SCHD is cheaper at 0.06% per year. On volatility, SCHD has been the lower-risk option at 3.58%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SUSL or SCHD?

Over the 5-year period, SUSL has performed better with a 13.53% return vs 8.77%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SUSL or SCHD?

SCHD is cheaper with a 0.06% expense ratio, compared with 0.10% for SUSL.

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

SCHD has the higher dividend yield at 3.31%, compared with 0.95% for SUSL.

What is the main difference between SUSL and SCHD?

SUSL is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while SCHD is Dividend. SUSL tracks MSCI USA Extended ESG Leaders Index, while SCHD tracks Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Charles Schwab. Their fees differ too: 0.10% for SUSL and 0.06% for SCHD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SCHD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.18 vs 2.06), 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.