International Dividend ETF IDOG Shifts to Europe

Core Insights - The ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF (IDOG) has reduced its exposure to Japan while increasing investments in various European markets during its annual December rebalance, indicating a shift in international dividend opportunities [1][2]. Fund Strategy and Methodology - IDOG employs a yield-ranking methodology that selects the five highest-yielding stocks in each sector, leading to a decrease in Japanese companies and an increase in European stocks in the top yield spots [2][4]. - The fund follows the "Dogs of the Dow" approach, equally weighting its 50 holdings across all 10 sectors, with each sector representing 10% of the portfolio [4][7]. Portfolio Changes - The fund eliminated four Japanese companies, including Honda Motor Co., Japan Tobacco, and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, resulting in a net reduction of three Japanese positions, while adding only Nippon Steel [3]. - New positions were added in Poland (Bank Polska), Norway (Equinor), Portugal (EDP), and Austria (OMV), with Denmark also represented through AP Moller-Maersk and Coloplast [3]. - In the financial sector, IDOG sold Northern European banks like Nordea Bank and Credit Agricole, opting for Italian institutions such as Banca Monte dei Paschi and Banco BPM [5]. - The industrials sector saw a swap from Deutsche Post to AP Moller-Maersk, while energy holdings shifted from Repsol to Equinor and OMV [6]. Rebalance Overview - The reconstitution involved 15 additions and 15 deletions, resulting in approximately 30% portfolio turnover, while maintaining equal sector weights at 10% each [7].