FDL vs SCHD: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared
As of Nov 5, 2026, FDL yields more: 3.56% (dividend yield) against 2.94% for SCHD. SCHD is cheaper to own at 0.06% a year vs 0.43%. Over the same 15 years (Oct 2011 to Oct 2026), SCHD returned 13.5% a year with distributions reinvested, and FDL 12.4%.
SCHDSchwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF2.94%dividend yield| Compared | FDL | SCHD |
|---|---|---|
| YieldDividend yield | 3.56% | 2.94% |
| Expense ratio | 0.43% | 0.06% |
| Total return, 1 yr | +31.1% | +38.5% |
| Total return, 3 yr (a year) | +24.0% | +20.7% |
| Total return, 5 yr (a year) | +14.9% | +10.6% |
| Total return, 10 yr (a year) | +11.9% | +13.7% |
| Worst drop since Oct 2011 | -30.5% | -21.6% |
| Share price since Oct 2011 | +220% | +321% |
| Pays | Quarterly | Quarterly |
| Issuer | First Trust | Schwab |
| Assets | $8.4B | $121.1B |
| Started | 2006 | 2011 |
| Type | Large Value | Large Value |
Higher yield
FDL
3.56%
Lower cost
SCHD
0.06%
Better total return
SCHD
13.5%/yr
Smaller worst drop
SCHD
-21.6%
Key facts: FDL vs SCHD
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Nov 5, 2026, FDL yields 3.56% (dividend yield) and SCHD yields 2.94% (dividend yield).
- FDL's expense ratio is 0.43% and SCHD's is 0.06%: $43 vs $6 a year on $10,000.
- From Oct 2011 to Oct 2026, $10,000 in FDL grew to $58,017 (12.4% a year) and $10,000 in SCHD to $66,879 (13.5% a year), distributions reinvested.
- Their worst month-end drops over that time: -30.5% for FDL and -21.6% for SCHD.
- 2 of FDL's top ten holdings are also in SCHD's top ten, an overlap of at least 8% of the fund.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "FDL vs SCHD: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared," updated Nov 5, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/fdl-vs-schd
$10,000 in each, Oct 2011 to Oct 2026
Distributions reinvested, month-end values, with the S&P 500 for reference.
FDL became
$58,017
12.4% a year
SCHD became
$66,879
13.5% a year
Year by year
| Year | FDL | SCHD |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | +14.8% | +4.3% |
| 2024 | +18.0% | +11.7% |
| 2023 | +3.0% | +4.5% |
| 2022 | +6.7% | −3.3% |
| 2021 | +26.1% | +29.8% |
| 2020 | −4.3% | +15.0% |
| 2019 | +24.4% | +27.3% |
| 2018 | −6.0% | −5.6% |
| 2017 | +12.0% | +20.8% |
| 2016 | +20.7% | +16.2% |
| 2015 | +2.6% | −0.4% |
| 2014 | +13.2% | +11.4% |
| 2013 | +22.6% | +32.8% |
| 2012 | +9.1% | +11.1% |
Total return each calendar year, distributions reinvested.
Top holdings
2 of the top ten overlap, at least 8% of each fund.
FDL
- CVX Chevron Corp9.3%
- PM Philip Morris International Inc6.6%
- PFE Pfizer Inc6.5%
- VZ Verizon Communications Inc6.5%
- MO Altria Group Inc5.0%
- PEP PepsiCo Inc5.0%
- ACN Accenture PLC Class A3.3%
- UPS United Parcel Service Inc Class B3.2%
- BMY Bristol-Myers Squibb Co3.0%
- CMCSA Comcast Corp Class A2.5%
SCHD
- TXN Texas Instruments Inc4.6%
- COP ConocoPhillips4.3%
- CVX Chevron Corp4.3%
- PG Procter & Gamble Co4.2%
- KO Coca-Cola Co4.1%
- AMGN Amgen Inc4.1%
- HD The Home Depot Inc4.0%
- UNH UnitedHealth Group Inc3.9%
- MRK Merck & Co Inc3.8%
- PEP PepsiCo Inc3.8%
FDL vs SCHD: questions
Is FDL or SCHD better?
It depends on the job. FDL pays more today (3.56% vs 2.94%), SCHD costs less, and SCHD has the better total return over Oct 2011 to Oct 2026, with SCHD holding up better in its worst stretch. For income, look at yield and whether the payouts hold up; for growth, total return and drawdowns.
Which pays a higher dividend, FDL or SCHD?
FDL, at 3.56% against 2.94% for SCHD as of Nov 5, 2026. On $10,000 that's about $356 vs $294 a year at today's rates.
Which has the better total return?
SCHD. From Oct 2011 to Oct 2026, it returned 13.5% a year with distributions reinvested, against 12.4% for FDL. $10,000 became $66,879 vs $58,017.
Which is cheaper, FDL or SCHD?
SCHD, with a 0.06% expense ratio against 0.43%.
Do FDL and SCHD hold the same things?
Partly. 2 of their top ten holdings match (CVX, PEP), at least 8% of each fund. Owning both doubles up on those.
Related comparisons
Yields, costs and holdings as each fund reports them (via Yahoo Finance), updated daily; returns from month-end prices with distributions reinvested. SCHD leads on 5 of 8 measures above. For information only, not investment advice. Last fund data: Nov 5, 2026.