Is the Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF the "Ultimate Retirement Fund" for Investors?

Core Insights - A $10,000 investment in the Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF since its inception in 2011 would be worth approximately $51,000 today, highlighting its potential for capital appreciation [1][15] - A study by Dimensional Fund Advisors indicates that income-focused portfolios have a significantly lower failure rate for retirees compared to growth-focused portfolios, suggesting the importance of income stability in retirement planning [2][3] Fund Overview - The Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF aims to track the Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index, which includes 103 high-yielding dividend stocks selected for their fundamental strength [4] - As of the latest data, the ETF has a dividend yield of 3.8%, which is more than triple that of the S&P 500 [5] Holdings and Performance - The ETF's largest holding is Cisco Systems, comprising 4.43% of the portfolio, with a dividend yield of 2.2% and a history of 14 years of dividend increases [7][9] - AbbVie and Amgen are also significant holdings, with AbbVie having raised its dividend for 54 consecutive years and Amgen maintaining a 3.2% yield [10][11] - The ETF has underperformed the S&P 500 since its inception, with an annualized total return of 12.2% compared to the S&P 500's 15.2% [14] Sector Exposure - The ETF has rules limiting sector weightings to no more than 25%, with the largest sector being energy at 19.3% and consumer staples at 18.5%, mitigating risks associated with overexposure to any single sector [13] Valuation and Investment Appeal - The ETF's price-to-earnings ratio is 17, significantly lower than the S&P 500's ratio of 31, indicating it may be undervalued [16] - With a low expense ratio of 0.06%, the ETF is positioned as an attractive option for investors seeking income and capital appreciation [16]