This posting features a comprehensive review of the established dividend ETF sector. In this view we feature those dividend related ETFs that have more conservative constituents and have been in existence for longer than a few years. There are dozens within the category with more on the way as current western demographics with an aging population show investors gravitate to safer dividend and income sectors. To simplify matters for investors we’ve whittled choices down to 10. The issues chosen represent a broad cross section of domestic, global, overseas, real estate (REITs) and other sectors from a variety of sponsors. Doing so makes sorting through the sector more manageable for most investors.
Each category is filtered by placing importance on high assets under management, liquidity and/or strategies that make a difference being the most critical tests. Newer issues tied to new indexes with long (over 5 years) of historical data may be worth investigating, featuring and using as alternatives if necessary.
As equity market volatility has increased over the past two years combined with previously noted changing demographics there has been a large shift from conventional equity sectors to dividend and income sectors. This trend may continue for a longer period than anyone can expect.
Remember just searching for the highest dividend yields can lead to troubled sectors where the ability to maintain the dividend may become questionable.
We feature a technical view of conditions from monthly chart views. Simplistically, we recommend longer-term investors stay on the right side of the 12 month simple moving average. When prices are above the moving average, stay long, and when below remain in cash or short. Some more interested in a fundamental approach may not care so much about technical issues preferring instead to buy when prices are perceived as a bargain and sell for other reasons when high; but, this is not our approach. Premium members to the ETF Digestreceive added signals when markets become extended such as DeMark triggers to exit overbought/oversold conditions.
#10: SPDR Dow Jones International Real Estate ETF (RWX)
RWX follows the Dow Jones Global ex-U.S. Real Estate Securities Index which consists of REITs in developed and emerging markets. It was launched in December 2006. AUM equal $2.5 billion while average daily trading volume is over 588K shares. As of early March 2012 the annual dividend yield is 3.68% and YTD performance 14.67%. The one year return was -4.86%. The poor performance is the result of chaos overseas particularly within the eurozone.
VNQ follows the MSCI US REIT Index which is a benchmark of U.S. property trusts that covers about two-thirds of the value of the entire U.S. REIT market. The fund was launched in September 2004. The expense ratio is .12%. AUM equal $10.7 billion and average daily trading volume is 1.8M shares. As of early March 2012 the annual dividend yield is 3.34% and YTD return 6.71%. The one year return was 11.00%.
IYR (iShares Dow Jones U.S. Real Estate ETF) follows the index of the same name. Risks for the sector are higher due to most assets consist of REITs (Real Estate Investment Trusts) which are much more volatile and economically sensitive. It’s said that over the next 5 years REITs have $3 trillion in outstanding debts due or to refinance. The fund was launched in June 2000. The expense ratio is .48%. AUM equal $3.7 billion while average daily trading volume is nearly 5.6M shares. As of early March 2012 the annual dividend yield is 3.60% and YTD performance 5.81%. The one year return was 6.95%.
Data as of December 2011
VNQ Top Ten Holdings & Weightings
Simon Property Group Inc (SPG): 10.43%
Public Storage (PSA): 5.38%
Equity Residential (EQR): 4.66%
HCP Inc (HCP): 4.65%
Ventas Inc (VTR): 4.16%
Boston Properties Inc (BXP): 4.03%
ProLogis Inc (PLD): 3.62%
Vornado Realty Trust (VNO): 3.52%
AvalonBay Communities Inc (AVB): 3.38%
Host Hotels & Resorts Inc (HST): 2.87%
#8: First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders ETF (FDL)
FDL follows a modified market capitalization weighted index of publicly traded companies that have shown dividend consistency and dividend sustainability. Morningstar identifies a universe of eligible companies through the application of its proprietary multi-step screening process and selects the top 100 stocks, based on dividend yield, for the index. The fund was launched in March 2006.
The expense ratio is .45%. AUM equal over $476 million and average daily trading volume is over 350K shares. As of early March 2012 the annual dividend yield is 3.46% and YTD performance .57%. The one year return was 11.95%.
VIG follows the Broad Dividend Achievers Index which features constituent companies with a history of increasing dividends. It was launched in April 2004. The expense ratio is .24%. AUM equals $10 billion and an average daily trading volume of 1.3M shares. As of early March 2012 the annual dividend yield is 2.04% and YTD return 5.25%. The one year return was 6.63%.
An alternative consideration would be VYM (Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF). It follows the FTSE High Dividend Yield Index which consists of large-cap issues from global companies ex-REITs. The fund was launched in November 2006. The expense ratio is .18%. AUM equals $3 billion and average daily trading volume is roughly 530K shares. As of early March 2012 the annual dividend yield is 2.79% and YTD performance 3.80%. The one year return was 10.28%.
DTN index measures the performance of high dividend-yielding stocks outside the financial sector. The index consists primarily of large- and mid-capitalization companies listed on major U.S. stock exchanges that pass WisdomTree Investments market capitalization, liquidity and selection requirements.
The fund was launched in June 2006. The expense ratio is .38%. AUM equal $1.2 billion and average daily trading volume is over 220K shares. As of early March 2012 the annual dividend yield is 3.01% and YTD performance 4.52%. The one year return was 12.93%.
DHS follows the Wisdom Tree Equity Income Index which is a fundamentally weighted index measuring the performance of companies with high dividend yields selected from the WisdomTree Dividend Index. At the index measurement date, companies within the WisdomTree Dividend Index with market capitalizations of at least $200 million and average daily trading volumes of at least $200,000 for the prior three months are ranked by dividend yield.
The fund was launched in June 2006. The expense ratio is .38%. AUM equal $415 million and average daily trading volume is over 100K shares. As of early March 2012 the annual dividend yield is 3.21% and YTD performance 3.15%. The one year return was 14.44%.
CVY follows the Zacks Multi-Asset Income Index which is designed to identify and track companies with high income and positive risk/reward characteristics. The fund was launched in September 2006. The expense ratio is .60%.
AUM equal $457 million and average daily trading volume exceeds 287K shares. As of early March 2012 the annual dividend yield is 5.01% and YTD performance 6.06%. The one year return was 8.28%.
DTD follows the Wisdom Tree Dividend Index which is a fundamentally-weighted index that defines the dividend-paying portion of the U.S. stock market. The Index measures the performance of US companies, listed on the NYSE, AMEX or NASDAQ Global Market, that pay regular cash dividends and that meet other liquidity and capitalization requirements established by WisdomTree. The fund was launched in June 2006.
The expense ratio is .28%. AUM equal $235 million and average daily trading volume is 27K shares As of early March 2012 the annual dividend yield is 2.65% and YTD performance 4.65%. The one year return was 9.50%.
DVY follows the Dow Jones Dividend Select Index. The fund was launched in November 2003. The expense ratio is .40%. AUM equal $10 billion and average daily trading volume exceeds 1.6M shares. As of early March 2012 the annual dividend yield is 3.34% and YTD performance 1.95%. The one year return was 11.08%.
XLU follows the Utilities Select Sector Index. This sector remains the historical first choice for investors seeking stable dividend income with the potential for long-term growth in value and increases in dividends. The fund was launched December 1998. The expense ratio is .18%. AUM (Assets under Management) equal $6.3 billion and average daily trading volume is less than 7M shares. As of early March 2012 the annual dividend yield is 3.90% and YTD performance -3.00%. The one year return was 13.19%.
Strong established linked index Excellent consistent performance and index tracking Low fee structure Strong portfolio suitability Excellent liquidity
Established linked index even if “enhanced” Good performance or more volatile if “enhanced” index Average to higher fee structure Good portfolio suitability or more active management if “enhanced” index Decent liquidity
Enhanced or seasoned index Less consistent performance and more volatile Fees higher than average Portfolio suitability would need more active trading Average to below average liquidity
Index is new Issue is new and needs seasoning Fees are high Portfolio suitability also needs seasoning Liquidity below average
It’s also important to remember that ETF sponsors have their own competitive business interests when issuing products which may not necessarily align with your investment needs. New ETFs from highly regarded and substantial new providers are also being issued. These may include Charles Schwab’s ETFs and Scottrade’s Focus Shares which both are issuing new ETFs with low expense ratios and commission free trading at their respective firms. These may also become popular as they become seasoned.
For further information about portfolio structures using technical indicators like DeMark and other indicators, take a free 14-day trial at ETF Digest. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook as well and join our group conversations.
This posting features a comprehensive review of the established dividend ETF sector. In this view we feature those dividend related ETFs that have more conservative constituents and have been in existence for longer than a few years. There are dozens within the category with more on the way as current western demographics with an aging population show investors gravitate to safer dividend and income sectors. To simplify matters for investors we’ve whittled choices down to 10. The issues chosen represent a broad cross section of domestic, global, overseas, real estate (REITs) and other sectors from a variety of sponsors. Doing so makes sorting through the sector more manageable for most investors.
Each category is filtered by placing importance on high assets under management, liquidity and/or strategies that make a difference being the most critical tests. Newer issues tied to new indexes with long (over 5 years) of historical data may be worth investigating, featuring and using as alternatives if necessary.
As equity market volatility has increased over the past two years combined with previously noted changing demographics there has been a large shift from conventional equity sectors to dividend and income sectors. This trend may continue for a longer period than anyone can expect.
Remember just searching for the highest dividend yields can lead to troubled sectors where the ability to maintain the dividend may become questionable.
We feature a technical view of conditions from monthly chart views. Simplistically, we recommend longer-term investors stay on the right side of the 12 month simple moving average. When prices are above the moving average, stay long, and when below remain in cash or short. Some more interested in a fundamental approach may not care so much about technical issues preferring instead to buy when prices are perceived as a bargain and sell for other reasons when high; but, this is not our approach. Premium members to the ETF Digest receive added signals when markets become extended such as DeMark triggers to exit overbought/oversold conditions.
#10: SPDR Dow Jones International Real Estate ETF (RWX)
RWX follows the Dow Jones Global ex-U.S. Real Estate Securities Index which consists of REITs in developed and emerging markets. It was launched in December 2006. AUM equal $2.5 billion while average daily trading volume is over 588K shares. As of early March 2012 the annual dividend yield is 3.68% and YTD performance 14.67%. The one year return was -4.86%. The poor performance is the result of chaos overseas particularly within the eurozone.
RWX Top Ten Holdings & Weightings
Data as of First Quarter 2012
#9: Vanguard Real Estate ETF (VNQ)
VNQ follows the MSCI US REIT Index which is a benchmark of U.S. property trusts that covers about two-thirds of the value of the entire U.S. REIT market. The fund was launched in September 2004. The expense ratio is .12%. AUM equal $10.7 billion and average daily trading volume is 1.8M shares. As of early March 2012 the annual dividend yield is 3.34% and YTD return 6.71%. The one year return was 11.00%.
IYR (iShares Dow Jones U.S. Real Estate ETF) follows the index of the same name. Risks for the sector are higher due to most assets consist of REITs (Real Estate Investment Trusts) which are much more volatile and economically sensitive. It’s said that over the next 5 years REITs have $3 trillion in outstanding debts due or to refinance. The fund was launched in June 2000. The expense ratio is .48%. AUM equal $3.7 billion while average daily trading volume is nearly 5.6M shares. As of early March 2012 the annual dividend yield is 3.60% and YTD performance 5.81%. The one year return was 6.95%.
Data as of December 2011
VNQ Top Ten Holdings & Weightings
#8: First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders ETF (FDL)
FDL follows a modified market capitalization weighted index of publicly traded companies that have shown dividend consistency and dividend sustainability. Morningstar identifies a universe of eligible companies through the application of its proprietary multi-step screening process and selects the top 100 stocks, based on dividend yield, for the index. The fund was launched in March 2006.
The expense ratio is .45%. AUM equal over $476 million and average daily trading volume is over 350K shares. As of early March 2012 the annual dividend yield is 3.46% and YTD performance .57%. The one year return was 11.95%.
FDL Top Ten Holdings & Weightings
Data as of First Quarter 2012
#7: Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF (VIG)
VIG follows the Broad Dividend Achievers Index which features constituent companies with a history of increasing dividends. It was launched in April 2004. The expense ratio is .24%. AUM equals $10 billion and an average daily trading volume of 1.3M shares. As of early March 2012 the annual dividend yield is 2.04% and YTD return 5.25%. The one year return was 6.63%.
An alternative consideration would be VYM (Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF). It follows the FTSE High Dividend Yield Index which consists of large-cap issues from global companies ex-REITs. The fund was launched in November 2006. The expense ratio is .18%. AUM equals $3 billion and average daily trading volume is roughly 530K shares. As of early March 2012 the annual dividend yield is 2.79% and YTD performance 3.80%. The one year return was 10.28%.
VIG Top Ten Holdings & Weightings
Data as of First Quarter 2012
#6: WisdomTree Dividend ex-Financials ETF (DTN)
DTN index measures the performance of high dividend-yielding stocks outside the financial sector. The index consists primarily of large- and mid-capitalization companies listed on major U.S. stock exchanges that pass WisdomTree Investments market capitalization, liquidity and selection requirements.
The fund was launched in June 2006. The expense ratio is .38%. AUM equal $1.2 billion and average daily trading volume is over 220K shares. As of early March 2012 the annual dividend yield is 3.01% and YTD performance 4.52%. The one year return was 12.93%.
DTN Top Ten Holdings & Weightings
Data as of First Quarter 2012
#5: WisdomTree High Yielding Equity ETF (DHS)
DHS follows the Wisdom Tree Equity Income Index which is a fundamentally weighted index measuring the performance of companies with high dividend yields selected from the WisdomTree Dividend Index. At the index measurement date, companies within the WisdomTree Dividend Index with market capitalizations of at least $200 million and average daily trading volumes of at least $200,000 for the prior three months are ranked by dividend yield.
The fund was launched in June 2006. The expense ratio is .38%. AUM equal $415 million and average daily trading volume is over 100K shares. As of early March 2012 the annual dividend yield is 3.21% and YTD performance 3.15%. The one year return was 14.44%.
DHS Top Ten Holdings & Weightings
Data as of First Quarter 2012
#4: Guggenheim Multi-Asset Income ETF (CVY)
CVY follows the Zacks Multi-Asset Income Index which is designed to identify and track companies with high income and positive risk/reward characteristics. The fund was launched in September 2006. The expense ratio is .60%.
AUM equal $457 million and average daily trading volume exceeds 287K shares. As of early March 2012 the annual dividend yield is 5.01% and YTD performance 6.06%. The one year return was 8.28%.
CVY Top Ten Holdings & Weightings
Data as of December, 2011
#3: Wisdom Tree Total Dividend Fund ETF (DTD)
DTD follows the Wisdom Tree Dividend Index which is a fundamentally-weighted index that defines the dividend-paying portion of the U.S. stock market. The Index measures the performance of US companies, listed on the NYSE, AMEX or NASDAQ Global Market, that pay regular cash dividends and that meet other liquidity and capitalization requirements established by WisdomTree. The fund was launched in June 2006.
The expense ratio is .28%. AUM equal $235 million and average daily trading volume is 27K shares As of early March 2012 the annual dividend yield is 2.65% and YTD performance 4.65%. The one year return was 9.50%.
DTD Top Ten Holdings & Weightings
Data as of First Quarter 2012
#2: iShares Dow Jones Select Dividend ETF (DVY)
DVY follows the Dow Jones Dividend Select Index. The fund was launched in November 2003. The expense ratio is .40%. AUM equal $10 billion and average daily trading volume exceeds 1.6M shares. As of early March 2012 the annual dividend yield is 3.34% and YTD performance 1.95%. The one year return was 11.08%.
DVY Top Ten Holdings & Weightings
Data as of First Quarter 2012
#1: SPDR Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLU)
XLU follows the Utilities Select Sector Index. This sector remains the historical first choice for investors seeking stable dividend income with the potential for long-term growth in value and increases in dividends. The fund was launched December 1998. The expense ratio is .18%. AUM (Assets under Management) equal $6.3 billion and average daily trading volume is less than 7M shares. As of early March 2012 the annual dividend yield is 3.90% and YTD performance -3.00%. The one year return was 13.19%.
Data as of First Quarter 2012
XLU Top Ten Holdings & Weightings
We rank the top 10 ETF by our proprietary stars system as outlined below. If an ETF you’re interested in is not included but you’d like to know a ranking send an inquiry to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and we’ll attempt to satisfy your interest.
Strong established linked index
Excellent consistent performance and index tracking
Low fee structure
Strong portfolio suitability
Excellent liquidity
Established linked index even if “enhanced”
Good performance or more volatile if “enhanced” index
Average to higher fee structure
Good portfolio suitability or more active management if “enhanced” index
Decent liquidity
Enhanced or seasoned index
Less consistent performance and more volatile
Fees higher than average
Portfolio suitability would need more active trading
Average to below average liquidity
Index is new
Issue is new and needs seasoning
Fees are high
Portfolio suitability also needs seasoning
Liquidity below average
It’s also important to remember that ETF sponsors have their own competitive business interests when issuing products which may not necessarily align with your investment needs. New ETFs from highly regarded and substantial new providers are also being issued. These may include Charles Schwab’s ETFs and Scottrade’s Focus Shares which both are issuing new ETFs with low expense ratios and commission free trading at their respective firms. These may also become popular as they become seasoned.
For further information about portfolio structures using technical indicators like DeMark and other indicators, take a free 14-day trial at ETF Digest. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook as well and join our group conversations.
You may address any feedback to: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
The ETF Digest has no current positions in the featured ETFs.
(Source for data is from ETF sponsors and various ETF data providers)