T vs. SCHD

Last updated Jul 9, 2026

T (AT&T Inc.) is a stock, while SCHD (Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF) is Dividend fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index. Over the past 10 years, T returned 1.53%/yr vs 12.44%/yr for SCHD. A 0.52 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

T vs. SCHD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in AT&T Inc. (T) 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, T achieves a -13.08% return, which is significantly lower than SCHD's 19.84% return. Over the past 10 years, T has underperformed SCHD with an annualized return of 1.53%, while SCHD has yielded a comparatively higher 12.44% annualized return.

T

• 1D: 0.14%
• 1M: -6.13%
• 6M: -9.93%
• YTD: -13.08%
• 1Y: -22.09%
• 3Y*: 16.07%
• 5Y*: 5.29%
• 10Y*: 1.53%

SCHD

• 1D: -0.61%
• 1M: 0.95%
• 6M: 17.82%
• YTD: 19.84%
• 1Y: 22.72%
• 3Y*: 14.70%
• 5Y*: 8.81%
• 10Y*: 12.44%

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

T vs. SCHD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
T AT&T Inc.	-13.08%	13.97%	44.08%	-2.74%	5.76%	-8.09%	-21.37%	45.55%	-22.25%	-4.01%
SCHD Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF	19.84%	4.34%	11.66%	4.54%	-3.26%	29.87%	15.03%	27.29%	-5.56%	20.85%

Correlation

The correlation between T and SCHD is 0.27, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.27
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.32
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.44
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.49
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 20, 2011	0.52

Over the past year, the correlation between T and SCHD has dropped to 0.27 - well below their long-term average of 0.52, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

T vs. SCHD — Risk / Return Rank

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

T

T Risk / Return Rank: 8
T Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6
T Sortino Ratio Rank: 9
T Omega Ratio Rank: 10
T Calmar Ratio Rank: 13
T Martin Ratio Rank: 2

SCHD

SCHD Risk / Return Rank: 82
SCHD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
SCHD Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
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.

T vs. SCHD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for AT&T Inc. (T) 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.

	T	SCHD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.95	2.09	-3.03
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-1.27	3.21	-4.48
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.85	1.37	-0.52
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.77	4.95	-5.71
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.81	11.79	-13.60

T vs. SCHD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current T Sharpe Ratio is -0.95, which is lower than the SCHD Sharpe Ratio of 2.09. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of T 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

T vs. SCHD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum T drawdown since its inception was -64.15%, which is greater than SCHD's maximum drawdown of -33.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for T and SCHD.

Drawdown Indicators

	T	SCHD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-64.15%	-33.37%	-30.78%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-28.89%	-4.61%	-24.28%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-28.89%	-16.13%	-12.76%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.01%	-16.85%	-15.16%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.35%	-33.37%	-8.98%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-26.66%	-0.71%	-25.95%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-15.73%	-3.31%	-12.42%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	12.22%	1.93%	+10.29%

Volatility

T vs. SCHD - Volatility Comparison

AT&T Inc. (T) has a higher volatility of 9.94% compared to Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) at 3.52%. This indicates that T'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

	T	SCHD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.94%	3.52%	+6.42%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	19.75%	7.93%	+11.82%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	23.44%	10.97%	+12.47%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	24.34%	14.37%	+9.97%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.88%	16.69%	+7.19%

Dividends

T vs. SCHD - Dividend Comparison

T's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.26%, more than SCHD's 3.24% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SCHD Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF	3.24%	3.82%	3.64%	3.49%	3.39%	2.78%	3.16%	2.98%	3.06%	2.63%	2.89%	2.97%
T AT&T Inc.	5.26%	4.47%	4.87%	6.62%	6.66%	8.46%	7.23%	5.22%	7.01%	5.04%	4.51%	5.46%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both T and SCHD in my portfolio?

T and SCHD have a correlation of 0.27, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, T or SCHD?

T has higher volatility (9.94%) compared to SCHD (3.52%). In terms of maximum drawdown, T dropped -64.15% vs SCHD's -33.37%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SCHD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.09 vs -0.95), 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.