SCHD vs FDRR: Rising Rates Strategy Showdown

Quality dividend growth vs rising rates dividend strategy. Which performs better in different interest rate environments?

SCHD

SCHD

Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF

3.27%
Dividend Yield
0.06%
Expense Ratio
11.2%
5-Year Return
104
Holdings

SCHD tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index, focusing on high dividend yield with rigorous quality screens. Requires 10+ years of dividend payments and screens for financial health metrics.

Quality Screens Low-Cost Value Focus Dividend Growth Rate Neutral
FDRR

FDRR

Fidelity Dividend ETF for Rising Rates

2.85%
Dividend Yield
0.29%
Expense Ratio
10.5%
5-Year Return
102
Holdings

FDRR tracks the Fidelity Dividend Index for Rising Rates, focusing on dividend-paying companies with positive sensitivity to rising interest rates. Targets sectors that typically benefit from higher rates.

Rising Rates Rate Sensitive Financials Heavy Cyclical Focus Economic Sensitivity

Key Metrics Comparison

Metric SCHD FDRR Winner
Dividend Yield 3.27% 2.85% SCHD (+0.61%)
Expense Ratio 0.06% 0.29% SCHD (-0.23%)
5-Year Annual Return 11.2% 10.5% SCHD (+0.7%)
Dividend Growth (5Y) 8.5% 7.2% SCHD (+1.3%)
Number of Holdings 104 102 SCHD
Assets Under Management $95.2B $1.2B SCHD
P/E Ratio 15.2 17.8 SCHD
Beta (5-Year) 0.85 0.95 SCHD

Performance Comparison

SCHD Performance

Higher total returns with better risk-adjusted performance. Quality-focused approach provides superior yield and lower volatility across all rate environments.

11.2%
5-Year Return
0.85
Beta
3.27%
Yield
8.5%
Div Growth

FDRR Performance

Strong performance in rising rate environments. Rate-sensitive focus provides advantage when interest rates are increasing.

10.5%
5-Year Return
0.95
Beta
2.85%
Yield
7.2%
Div Growth

Strategy Analysis

SCHD Approach

Quality-focused dividend growth:

  • Minimum 10 years of dividend payments
  • Dividend yield > 2.5% requirement
  • Cash flow to total debt > 50%
  • Return on equity > 15%
  • Focus on financial health and stability
  • Rate-neutral approach
  • Value-oriented, quality focus

FDRR Approach

Rising rates dividend strategy:

  • Focus on rate-sensitive sectors
  • Targets companies benefiting from higher rates
  • Heavy financials exposure (banks, insurers)
  • Cyclical sector overweight
  • Positive correlation to interest rates
  • Economic sensitivity focus
  • Rate-hedging characteristics

Interest Rate Sensitivity Analysis

SCHD maintains a rate-neutral stance with balanced sector exposure, while FDRR is specifically designed for rising rate environments with heavy financials and cyclical sector exposure. FDRR typically outperforms when interest rates are increasing, while SCHD performs more consistently across all rate environments.

Rising Rate Environment

FDRR Advantage: Financials and cyclicals benefit from higher rates and economic growth.

Stable Rate Environment

SCHD Advantage: Quality dividend payers provide steady income and growth.

Falling Rate Environment

SCHD Advantage: Defensive sectors and quality companies perform better.

Dividend Analysis

SCHD Dividend Profile

Higher current yield with quality growth. Focus on financially healthy companies with strong dividend histories.

Current Yield 3.27%
5-Year Growth 8.5%
Payout Ratio 48%
Rate Sensitivity Neutral

FDRR Dividend Profile

Moderate yield with rate-sensitive characteristics. Focus on companies benefiting from economic expansion and higher rates.

Current Yield 2.85%
5-Year Growth 7.2%
Payout Ratio 42%
Rate Sensitivity Positive

Sector Allocation

SCHD Sectors

Healthcare 18.5%
Financials 15.2%
Information Technology 14.8%
Consumer Staples 13.2%
Industrials 12.5%

FDRR Sectors

Financials 38.2%
Industrials 22.5%
Consumer Discretionary 15.8%
Information Technology 12.2%
Energy 6.5%

Top 5 Holdings

SCHD Top Holdings

Broadcom Inc. 4.8%
AbbVie Inc. 4.5%
Amgen Inc. 4.3%
Home Depot Inc. 4.2%
Texas Instruments 4.1%

FDRR Top Holdings

JPMorgan Chase 5.2%
Bank of America 4.8%
Wells Fargo 4.5%
Citigroup 4.2%
Goldman Sachs 3.8%

Investment Recommendation

🛡️ Choose SCHD If:

  • You want higher current income (3.27% vs 2.85%)
  • Better total returns are important (11.2% vs 10.5%)
  • Lower expenses matter (0.06% vs 0.29%)
  • You prefer quality screens for financial health
  • You want balanced sector exposure
  • Rate-neutral approach fits your outlook
  • Lower volatility is a priority (beta 0.85 vs 0.95)

📈 Choose FDRR If:

  • You expect rising interest rates
  • You want rate-sensitive exposure
  • Heavy financials allocation aligns with your view
  • Economic expansion is your base case
  • You want cyclical sector exposure
  • Rate-hedging characteristics are valuable
  • You're comfortable with higher rate sensitivity
Back to All ETF compare

Which should you choose: SCHD vs FDRR?

SCHD
Choose SCHD if you want a low-cost (0.06%) blend of an above-average ~3.27% yield and a strong dividend-growth record from screened, quality U.S. companies.
FDRR
Choose FDRR if you want dividend growers screened to hold up better when interest rates rise.
Bottom line: Both SCHD and FDRR are dividend-growth funds, so the decision comes down to the finer details — expense ratio, exact holdings, yield and dividend-growth rate. Compare the figures in the table above and pick the one whose costs and composition fit your plan.