Harrington: Dividend funds can offer benefits, but be cautious about those offering huge returns

Gen Z Dividend Investing Trends - Gen Z investors are increasingly interested in dividend investing as a way to supplement their income in an uncertain market [4] - Some Gen Z investors are drawn to high-yield dividend ETFs, but these can be very risky due to high leverage and underlying securities that are not dividend-oriented [2] - Experts advise Gen Z investors to be cautious about highly leveraged dividend ETFs and consider more traditional dividend funds [2][3] Dividend Investing Strategies - Dividend aristocrats, companies with a history of growing dividends for over 25 years, are a good starting point for dividend investing, although their average yield is just under 2% [6] - Investors should look for companies or funds with a long-term history of consistently paying dividends, even during economic downturns like 2008-2009 and the pandemic [7][8] - Dividend investing benefits from active management to understand the company or fund manager's philosophy regarding returning capital to shareholders through dividends and achieving capital appreciation [8][9] Balancing Dividend Yield and Price Appreciation - Investors should aim for a total return of 8-10% over the long term, combining dividend income and stock price appreciation [12] - A long-term approach is crucial in dividend investing, as income and capital appreciation are spread out over time [14] - While a high dividend yield is attractive, investors should also consider the potential for price appreciation and the overall long-term return [10][11]