SCHD vs JEPI Stock Comparison: AI Score, Valuation, Performance and Upside
SCHD and JEPI are both income-oriented ETFs but with different yield strategies. SCHD focuses on dividend growth from high-quality dividend-paying companies with 3–4% yield and strong capital appreciation potential. JEPI generates 6–9% yield through covered call options on S&P 500 stocks, sacrificing upside participation for higher current income. SCHD compounds total return over time; JEPI maximizes current income.
SCHD vs JEPI is dividend growth investing for total return compounding (SCHD) versus high current income from options overlay strategy sacrificing bull market upside (JEPI) — SCHD is better for investors with long time horizons wanting growing income; JEPI is better for near-retirement or retired investors wanting maximum current cash flow.
SCHD holds the edge across 3 of 5 key metrics in this comparison. SCHD has delivered stronger 1-year price return (+24.21% vs +9.04% for JEPI).
- →prefer dividend growth investing — buying quality dividend growers that increase distributions over time, compounding income and principal
- →value SCHD's quality screening avoiding dividend traps in companies with unsustainable high yields from declining stock prices
- →want total return compounding (dividends + capital appreciation) with lower current yield but growing income over time
- →are comfortable with lower 3–4% current yield in exchange for dividend growth and capital appreciation participation in bull markets
- →prefer maximum current income at 6–9% annual yield, particularly for retirement cash flow needs exceeding SCHD's 3–4% distributions
- →value JEPI's monthly distribution schedule providing consistent monthly cash flow rather than quarterly dividends
- →want lower volatility than pure S&P 500 exposure with income enhancement from covered call premium in flat or declining markets
- →are comfortable with capped upside in strong bull markets as covered calls limit JEPI's participation in rapid S&P 500 appreciation
| Metric | SCHD | JEPI |
|---|---|---|
| ETF score | 81.0 | 58.0 |
| Latest close | $31.86 | $56.10 |
| 1M return | -0.75% | +0.73% |
| 6M return | +16.41% | +2.15% |
| 1Y return | +24.21% | +9.04% |
How much would $10,000 be worth today if invested at the start of each period, with all dividends reinvested?
| Period | SCHD | JEPI |
|---|---|---|
| 1Y ago | $12.91K (+29.1%) started 2025-06-18 | $11.85K (+18.5%) started 2025-06-18 |
| 5Y ago | $18.74K (+87.4%) started 2021-06-18 | $24.71K (+147.1%) started 2021-06-18 |
| 10Y ago | $48.13K (+381.3%) started 2016-06-20 | $36.97K (+269.7%) started 2020-05-21 |
Hypothetical — past performance does not guarantee future results.
| Metric | SCHD | JEPI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense ratio | 0.06% | 0.35% |
| Total assets (AUM) | $94.95B | $44.59B |
| Dividend yield | 3.25% | 8.45% |
| Trailing P/E | 18.78 | 27.49 |
| Beta | 0.71 | 0.55 |
| 52-week change | 24.21% | 9.04% |
| Metric | SCHD | JEPI |
|---|---|---|
| 1Y return | +24.21% | +9.04% |
| 6M return | +16.41% | +2.15% |
| 1M return | -0.75% | +0.73% |
| 1Y Sharpe ratio | 1.62 | 0.56 |
| Beta | 0.71 | 0.55 |
| Dividend yield | 3.25% | 8.45% |
| 5Y CAGR | +9.07% | +7.73% |
Lower drawdown and smaller single-period drops generally indicate a smoother ride, though they do not guarantee lower future risk.
| Period | Metric | SCHD | JEPI |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Y | Growth | +24.21% | +9.04% |
| CAGR | +24.23% | +9.05% | |
| Sharpe ratio | 1.62 | 0.56 | |
| Max drawdown | 4.61% | 6.68% | |
| Max daily drop | 1.84% | 1.61% | |
| Max wkly drop | 3.44% | 2.46% | |
| 5Y | Growth | +54.34% | +45.10% |
| CAGR | +9.07% | +7.73% | |
| Sharpe ratio | 0.37 | 0.32 | |
| Max drawdown | 16.84% | 13.71% | |
| Max daily drop | 5.42% | 5.56% | |
| Max wkly drop | 12.74% | 9.92% | |
| 10Y | Growth | +224.07% | +88.50% |
| CAGR | +12.49% | +11.00% | |
| Sharpe ratio | 0.52 | 0.61 | |
| Max drawdown | 33.37% | 13.71% | |
| Max daily drop | 9.95% | 5.56% | |
| Max wkly drop | 18.00% | 9.92% |
| Category | SCHD | JEPI |
|---|---|---|
| Fund name | Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF | JPMorgan Equity Premium Income ETF |
| Type | ETF | ETF |
| Expense ratio | 0.06% | 0.35% |
| Total assets (AUM) | $94.95B | $44.59B |
| Dividend yield | 3.25% | 8.45% |
- →Quality screening methodology avoids dividend traps — only companies with sustainable payout ratios, strong balance sheets, and long dividend histories are included
- →Dividend growth focus means income increases over time as portfolio companies raise dividends
- →0.06% expense ratio is extremely low for an actively screened dividend ETF
- →Monthly income distributions at 6–9% annual yield — significantly higher than SCHD or SPY for income-seeking investors
- →Covered call premium provides income in flat or modestly declining markets that pure equity holdings cannot generate
- →Lower portfolio volatility than SPY — defensive stock selection plus premium income dampens drawdowns
- →Lower total return than growth indices like QQQ in technology bull markets — dividend stocks are more concentrated in value/defensive sectors
- →Interest rate sensitivity — high dividend stocks compete with bonds for income-seeking investors; rising rates can reduce dividend stock relative appeal
- →100-stock universe means individual stock concentration is higher than the S&P 500 — some holdings represent 4%+ of SCHD
- →Covered call overlay caps upside participation in strong equity bull markets — JEPI underperforms SPY significantly when equities rally strongly
- →0.35% expense ratio is meaningfully higher than SCHD's 0.06% — cost drag over time for the options management strategy
- →Monthly income varies with volatility levels — higher volatility generates more premium income; low volatility periods compress distributions
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