SAEF vs SCHD
Schwab Ariel Opportunities ETF vs Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF
Which is better, SAEF or SCHD?
Mid Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. SAEF led over 1Y, SCHD over the full window. SAEF is less concentrated, with 34.6% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 41.6%.
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 | SAEF | SCHD |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.59% | 0.06%Best |
| AUM | $19M | $111.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.33% | 3.24% |
| Holdings | 59 | 206 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 24.6% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -28.1% | -16.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 4.7 years | $9,883 | $14,813Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 34.6%Best | 41.6% |
| Fund Family | Charles Schwab Asset Management | Charles Schwab Asset Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Nov 15, 2021 | Oct 20, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized).
The two price series end 89 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. SAEF has data through Jul 17, 2026 and SCHD through Oct 14, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4.7 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 16, 2021 to Jul 17, 2026 (4.7 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SAEF has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 24.6% compared with 15.0% 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 -28.1% for SAEF and -16.9% 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 0.65. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SAEF charges 0.59% per year while SCHD charges 0.06%. On a $10,000 position that is $59 vs $6 annually, a gap of $53 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SAEF currently yields 0.33% against 3.24% for SCHD.
Holdings Overlap
1.9% of SAEF's money is in holdings SCHD also owns. 0.6% of SCHD's money is in holdings SAEF also owns.
SAEF and SCHD share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 186 days apart, SAEF as of Mar 31, 2026 and SCHD as of Oct 3, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
2 positions in common, counted across the 58 positions we hold weights for in SAEF and 98 in SCHD, against full books of 59 and 206.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 95 positions for SCHD that do not appear in our book for SAEF (99.2% of the fund), and 53 for SAEF that do not appear in SCHD (92.2%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SAEF 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, SAEF or SCHD?
SAEF has an expense ratio of 0.59% while SCHD charges 0.06%. SCHD is the cheaper option, by $53 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, SAEF or SCHD?
SAEF has been the more volatile fund at 24.6% annualized versus 15.0% for SCHD. Worst drawdown: SAEF -28.1% vs SCHD -16.9%.
Should I hold both SAEF and SCHD?
SAEF and SCHD have a monthly-return correlation of 0.65, 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 SAEF and SCHD?
1.9% of SAEF's money is in holdings SCHD also owns. 0.6% of SCHD's is in holdings SAEF also owns. They hold 2 positions in common, counted across the 58 positions we hold weights for in SAEF and 98 in SCHD.
Which pays a higher dividend, SAEF or SCHD?
SAEF yields 0.33% while SCHD yields 3.24%, so SCHD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SCHD better than SAEF?
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. SAEF led over 1Y, SCHD over the full window. SAEF is less concentrated, with 34.6% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 41.6%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.