SAEF vs TPLC
Schwab Ariel Opportunities ETF vs Timothy Plan US Large/Mid Cap Core ETF
Which is better, SAEF or TPLC?
Each has led over a different period.
TPLC has a lower expense ratio. SAEF led over 1Y, TPLC over the full window. TPLC is less concentrated, with 7.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 34.6%.
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 | TPLC |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.59% | 0.52%Best |
| AUM | $19M | $311M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.33% | 0.86% |
| Holdings | 59 | 542 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 24.6% | 16.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -28.1% | -21.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 4.7 years | $9,883 | $13,768Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 34.6% | 7.0%Best |
| Fund Family | Charles Schwab Asset Management | Timothy Plan |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Mid Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 15, 2021 | May 5, 2019 |
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 TPLC 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 16.4% for TPLC. 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 -21.6% for TPLC. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.83. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SAEF charges 0.59% per year while TPLC charges 0.52%. On a $10,000 position that is $59 vs $52 annually, a gap of $7 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SAEF currently yields 0.33% against 0.86% for TPLC.
Holdings Overlap
7.7% of SAEF's money is in holdings TPLC also owns. 2.6% of TPLC's money is in holdings SAEF also owns.
SAEF and TPLC share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 185 days apart, SAEF as of Mar 31, 2026 and TPLC as of Oct 2, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
6 positions in common, counted across the 58 positions we hold weights for in SAEF and 268 in TPLC, against full books of 59 and 542.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 255 positions for TPLC that do not appear in our book for SAEF (94.6% of the fund), and 49 for SAEF that do not appear in TPLC (86.3%).
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 TPLC 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 TPLC?
SAEF has an expense ratio of 0.59% while TPLC charges 0.52%. TPLC is the cheaper option, by $7 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, SAEF or TPLC?
SAEF has been the more volatile fund at 24.6% annualized versus 16.4% for TPLC. Worst drawdown: SAEF -28.1% vs TPLC -21.6%.
Should I hold both SAEF and TPLC?
SAEF and TPLC have a monthly-return correlation of 0.83, 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 TPLC?
7.7% of SAEF's money is in holdings TPLC also owns. 2.6% of TPLC's is in holdings SAEF also owns. They hold 6 positions in common, counted across the 58 positions we hold weights for in SAEF and 268 in TPLC.
Which pays a higher dividend, SAEF or TPLC?
SAEF yields 0.33% while TPLC yields 0.86%, so TPLC currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is TPLC better than SAEF?
TPLC has a lower expense ratio. SAEF led over 1Y, TPLC over the full window. TPLC is less concentrated, with 7.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 34.6%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.