BNDC vs SCHZ
Northern Trust Core Bond ETF vs Schwab US Aggregate Bond ETF
Which is better, BNDC or SCHZ?
Nearly the same fund. SCHZ costs less.
SCHZ has a lower expense ratio. SCHZ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.99.
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 | BNDC | SCHZ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.38% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $165M | $10.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.33% | 4.33% |
| Holdings | 16 | 24,843 |
| YTD Return | -2.88% | -2.13%Best |
| 1Y Return | -2.81% | -1.99%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +4.23% | +4.41%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -0.95% | -0.63%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 5.3% | 5.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -23.2% | -19.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $9,534 | $9,689Best |
| Fund Family | Northern Trust Asset Management | Charles Schwab Asset Management |
| Category | Fixed Income | Fixed Income |
| Inception | Nov 18, 2016 | Jul 14, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight, Style.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 22, 2016 to Oct 14, 2026 (9.9 years).
BNDC vs SCHZ 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 9.9 years both funds cover.
BNDC vs SCHZ Performance
Northern Trust Core Bond ETF (BNDC) is an ETF from Northern Trust Asset Management and Schwab US Aggregate Bond ETF (SCHZ) is an ETF from Charles Schwab Asset Management. Over the past year BNDC returned -2.81% while SCHZ returned -1.99%. Year to date, BNDC is down 2.88% versus a loss of 2.13% for SCHZ.
Over three years, BNDC compounded at +4.23% per year against +4.41% for SCHZ; over five years the annualized figures are -0.95% and -0.63% respectively. Across the full 10-year window we track, SCHZ has the edge at +0.30% annualized vs +0.12%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
BNDC has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 5.3% compared with 5.2% for SCHZ. 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 -23.2% for BNDC and -19.7% for SCHZ. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.99. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BNDC charges 0.38% per year while SCHZ charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $38 vs $3 annually, a gap of $35 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BNDC currently yields 4.33% against 4.33% for SCHZ.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 7 holdings in BNDC and 10,307 in SCHZ, totalling 99.2% and 61.5% 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 7 positions we hold weights for in BNDC and 10,307 in SCHZ, against full books of 16 and 24,843.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BNDC and SCHZ 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, BNDC or SCHZ?
BNDC has an expense ratio of 0.38% while SCHZ charges 0.03%. SCHZ is the cheaper option, by $35 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BNDC or SCHZ?
Over the past year BNDC returned -2.81% vs -1.99% for SCHZ, so SCHZ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (10 years), BNDC annualized +0.12% vs +0.30% for SCHZ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BNDC or SCHZ?
BNDC has been the more volatile fund at 5.3% annualized versus 5.2% for SCHZ. Worst drawdown: BNDC -23.2% vs SCHZ -19.7%.
Should I hold both BNDC and SCHZ?
BNDC and SCHZ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.99, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, BNDC or SCHZ?
BNDC yields 4.33% while SCHZ yields 4.33%, so SCHZ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SCHZ better than BNDC?
SCHZ has a lower expense ratio. SCHZ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.99. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.