SCHD vs SQEW
Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF vs LeaderShares Equity Skew ETF
Which is better, SCHD or SQEW?
Large Cap Value against Mid Cap Blend.
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. SCHD led over 1Y 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 | SCHD | SQEW |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.06%Best | 0.84% |
| AUM | $111.6B | $16M |
| Dividend Yield | 3.24% | 0.96% |
| Holdings | 206 | 159 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.3%Best | 16.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -16.9%Best | -26.1% |
| $10,000 over 5.5 years | $19,358Best | $15,910 |
| Fund Family | Charles Schwab Asset Management | LeaderShares |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Mid Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 20, 2011 | 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 355 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. SCHD has data through Oct 14, 2026 and SQEW through Oct 24, 2025.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 5.5 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: May 12, 2020 to Oct 24, 2025 (5.5 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SQEW has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.3% compared with 15.3% 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 -16.9% for SCHD and -26.1% 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 0.83. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SCHD charges 0.06% per year while SQEW charges 0.84%. On a $10,000 position that is $6 vs $84 annually, a gap of $78 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SCHD currently yields 3.24% against 0.96% for SQEW.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SCHD 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, SCHD or SQEW?
SCHD has an expense ratio of 0.06% while SQEW charges 0.84%. SCHD is the cheaper option, by $78 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, SCHD or SQEW?
SQEW has been the more volatile fund at 16.3% annualized versus 15.3% for SCHD. Worst drawdown: SCHD -16.9% vs SQEW -26.1%.
Should I hold both SCHD and SQEW?
SCHD and SQEW 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.
Which pays a higher dividend, SCHD or SQEW?
SCHD yields 3.24% while SQEW yields 0.96%, so SCHD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SQEW better than SCHD?
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. SCHD led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.