PILL vs SCHD
Direxion Daily Pharmaceutical & Medical Bull 3X ETF vs Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF
Which is better, PILL or SCHD?
Multi Alternative against Large Cap Value.
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. PILL led over 1Y and 3Y, SCHD over 5Y 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 | PILL | SCHD |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.97% | 0.06%Best |
| AUM | $14M | $111.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.37% | 3.24% |
| Holdings | 142 | 206 |
| YTD Return | +16.66% | +24.55%Best |
| 1Y Return | +77.46%Best | +29.85% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +30.43%Best | +16.64% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -4.72% | +9.54%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 60.4% | 16.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -88.9% | -33.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $7,853 | $15,771Best |
| Fund Family | Direxion Shares ETF Trust | Charles Schwab Asset Management |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Nov 15, 2017 | Oct 20, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 15, 2017 to Oct 14, 2026 (8.9 years).
PILL 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 8.9 years both funds cover.
PILL vs SCHD Performance
Direxion Daily Pharmaceutical & Medical Bull 3X ETF (PILL) is an ETF from Direxion Shares ETF Trust and Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) is an ETF from Charles Schwab Asset Management. Over the past year PILL returned +77.46% while SCHD returned +29.85%. Year to date, PILL is up 16.66% versus a gain of 24.55% for SCHD.
Over three years, PILL compounded at +30.43% per year against +16.64% for SCHD; over five years the annualized figures are -4.72% and +9.54% respectively. Across the full 9-year window we track, SCHD has the edge at +11.05% annualized vs -5.34%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
PILL has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 60.4% compared with 16.2% 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 -88.9% for PILL 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 0.66. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PILL charges 0.97% per year while SCHD charges 0.06%. On a $10,000 position that is $97 vs $6 annually, a gap of $91 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PILL currently yields 0.37% against 3.24% for SCHD.
Holdings Overlap
At least 7.3% of SCHD's money is in holdings PILL also owns.
Only one direction is shown: for PILL, our book for it lists positions totalling 107.5% of the fund, which is what a leveraged book looks like and is not a denominator we can divide by.
SCHD and PILL share little of their money.
2 positions in common, counted across the 64 positions we hold weights for in PILL and 98 in SCHD, against full books of 142 and 206.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of PILL 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, PILL or SCHD?
PILL has an expense ratio of 0.97% while SCHD charges 0.06%. SCHD is the cheaper option, by $91 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, PILL or SCHD?
Over the past year PILL returned +77.46% vs +29.85% for SCHD, so PILL leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (9 years), PILL annualized -5.34% vs +11.05% for SCHD. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, PILL or SCHD?
PILL has been the more volatile fund at 60.4% annualized versus 16.2% for SCHD. Worst drawdown: PILL -88.9% vs SCHD -33.4%.
Should I hold both PILL and SCHD?
PILL and SCHD have a monthly-return correlation of 0.66, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between PILL and SCHD?
At least 7.3% of SCHD's money is in holdings PILL also owns. Our book for PILL is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 2 positions in common, counted across the 64 positions we hold weights for in PILL and 98 in SCHD.
Which pays a higher dividend, PILL or SCHD?
PILL yields 0.37% while SCHD yields 3.24%, so SCHD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SCHD better than PILL?
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. PILL led over 1Y and 3Y, SCHD over 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.