AT vs SCHD
Defiance Robotics Actuators ETF vs Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF
Which is better, AT or SCHD?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. SCHD led over 1Y and the full window.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | AT | SCHD |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.69% | 0.06%Best |
| AUM | $1M | $111.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 3.24% |
| Holdings | 27 | 206 |
| YTD Return | -4.10% | +24.55%Best |
| 1Y Return | -4.10% | +29.85%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +16.64% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +9.54% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 185.9% | 13.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -86.6% | -33.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 15 years | $19,353 | $49,555Best |
| Fund Family | Defiance ETFs, LLC | Charles Schwab Asset Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Sep 14, 2026 | Oct 20, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 15 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 20, 2011 to Oct 14, 2026 (15 years).
AT vs SCHD growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 15 years both funds cover.
AT vs SCHD Performance
Defiance Robotics Actuators ETF (AT) is an ETF from Defiance ETFs, LLC and Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) is an ETF from Charles Schwab Asset Management. Over the past year AT returned -4.10% while SCHD returned +29.85%. Year to date, AT is down 4.10% versus a gain of 24.55% for SCHD.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
AT has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 185.9% compared with 13.7% for SCHD. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -86.6% for AT and -33.4% for SCHD. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at -0.14. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
AT charges 0.69% per year while SCHD charges 0.06%. On a $10,000 position that is $69 vs $6 annually, a gap of $63 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, AT currently yields 0.00% against 3.24% for SCHD.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 27 holdings in AT and 98 in SCHD, totalling 105.3% and 99.8% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 27 positions we hold weights for in AT and 98 in SCHD, against full books of 27 and 206.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of AT and SCHD you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, AT or SCHD?
AT has an expense ratio of 0.69% while SCHD charges 0.06%. SCHD is the cheaper option, by $63 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, AT or SCHD?
Over the past year AT returned -4.10% vs +29.85% for SCHD, so SCHD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (15 years), AT annualized +4.50% vs +11.26% for SCHD. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, AT or SCHD?
AT has been the more volatile fund at 185.9% annualized versus 13.7% for SCHD. Worst drawdown: AT -86.6% vs SCHD -33.4%.
Should I hold both AT and SCHD?
AT and SCHD have a monthly-return correlation of -0.14, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, AT or SCHD?
AT yields 0.00% while SCHD yields 3.24%, so SCHD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SCHD better than AT?
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. SCHD led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.