SAEF vs SQEW
Schwab Ariel Opportunities ETF vs LeaderShares Equity Skew ETF
Which is better, SAEF or SQEW?
SAEF has been ahead.
SAEF has a lower expense ratio. SAEF led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.93.
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 | SQEW |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.59%Best | 0.84% |
| AUM | $19M | $16M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.33% | 0.96% |
| Holdings | 59 | 159 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 22.4% | 17.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -28.1% | -25.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 3.9 years | $11,397Best | $10,141 |
| Fund Family | Charles Schwab Asset Management | LeaderShares |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Mid Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 15, 2021 | May 11, 2020 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
The two price series end 266 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 SQEW through Oct 24, 2025.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3.9 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 16, 2021 to Oct 24, 2025 (3.9 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SAEF has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 22.4% compared with 17.3% for SQEW. 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 -25.8% for SQEW. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.93. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SAEF charges 0.59% per year while SQEW charges 0.84%. On a $10,000 position that is $59 vs $84 annually, a gap of $25 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SAEF currently yields 0.33% against 0.96% for SQEW.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SAEF and SQEW 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 SQEW?
SAEF has an expense ratio of 0.59% while SQEW charges 0.84%. SAEF is the cheaper option, by $25 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, SAEF or SQEW?
SAEF has been the more volatile fund at 22.4% annualized versus 17.3% for SQEW. Worst drawdown: SAEF -28.1% vs SQEW -25.8%.
Should I hold both SAEF and SQEW?
SAEF and SQEW have a monthly-return correlation of 0.93, 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, SAEF or SQEW?
SAEF yields 0.33% while SQEW yields 0.96%, so SQEW currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SQEW better than SAEF?
SAEF has a lower expense ratio. SAEF led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.93. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.