Quick Read Schwab Dividend ETF (SCHD) surged 13.6% year-to-date on rotation from growth to its 100 value stocks. Vanguard International Dividend ETF (VYMI) gained 39% over the past year as the dollar fell. iShares Treasury ETF (TLT) surged from $90 to above $120 during the Great Recession as a recession hedge. The analyst who called NVIDIA in 2010 just named his top 10 AI stocks. Get them here FREE. We're looking at a surge of retirees in the 2020s due to the Baby Boom's peak in the 1960s, turni ...

Quick Read VIG outperformed the S&P 500 since beginning of 2026 despite a low 1.55% yield. SPHD yields 4.38% by selecting 50 S&P stocks with lowest volatility and highest dividends. VDC concentrates 26.82% of assets in Walmart and Costco within its consumer staples focus. A recent study identified one single habit that doubled Americans’ retirement savings and moved retirement from dream, to reality. Read more here. The stock market has had a great start to 2026, and its upward trend has continu ...

will thank you later.[David Beren]| 2 hours ago## Mamdani's New Budget Spend $42,000 Per Student - How Does That Compare to Texas or Florida?[John Seetoo]| Yesterday## 10 Tony Robbins Quotes That Will Change How You Think About Retirement## Continue Reading## 6 ETFs That Do What SCHD Does — But Better[Javier Simon | Feb 2, 2026 at 8:28 AM EST The Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) has become immensely popular among dividend investors. And it has a lot to…]## 7 Dividend ETFs I'd Buy Today If I Were Retir ...

The reality heading into 2026 is that many retirees need their portfolios to do two things simultaneously: generate reliable income now and continue growing to fund expenses 15 to 20 years from now. This dual mandate requires more equity exposure than earlier generations carried into retirement, and this is likely going to make many retirees uncomfortable.The math doesn't work for a 25-to-30 year retirement as a portfolio that is 65% bonds may not generate enough growth to keep pace with inflation, especial ...

Core Insights - Recessions are normal in the business cycle but can be financially devastating, leading to economic decline, increased unemployment, reduced wages, business failures, and market contractions [2] - Dividend ETFs are utilized by investors to protect their portfolios from the adverse effects of economic downturns [2] Dividend ETF Characteristics - Not all dividend ETFs are equal; those that perform well during recessions typically invest in high-quality companies with strong financials, consistent dividend payouts, and low volatility [3] - These resilient ETFs are often concentrated in defensive sectors that tend to remain stable across various market cycles [3] Recommended Dividend ETFs - **Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM)**: Invests in over 500 large value companies, yielding around 2.44% with a five-year return of over 64% and a low expense ratio of 0.06% [5][6] - **Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD)**: Focuses on high-quality companies with sustainable dividends, yielding about 4% and achieving a five-year return of over 35%, also with a low expense ratio of 0.06% [7] - **Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF (VIG)**: Targets companies with a history of increasing dividends, diversified across more than 300 large-cap companies, with 27% of its portfolio in the information technology sector benefiting from the AI boom [8]

Core Insights - The article discusses the appeal of dividend ETFs for investors seeking income and capital appreciation without the stress of stock-picking [2][3] - It highlights specific ETFs such as SCHD, JEPI, and VYM, noting their yields, returns, and expense ratios [1][5][8] Group 1: Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) - SCHD offers a yield of approximately 4% and has achieved a five-year return exceeding 35% [1][5] - The ETF is diversified across sectors, including energy, consumer staples, and healthcare, which are known for stability [6] - It boasts a low expense ratio of 0.06% and manages net assets of $71.64 billion [7] Group 2: Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) - VYM invests in nearly 600 stocks across 10 sectors, focusing on companies with higher-than-average yields [8] - The ETF primarily targets sectors such as financials, technology, and industrials, providing a significant income stream [8]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses high-yield exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that can provide substantial passive income while maintaining a focus on long-term growth, particularly in light of potential interest rate cuts later in the year [4]. Group 1: High-Yield ETFs - ProShares Russell 2000 High Income ETF (ITWO) targets high monthly income from small-cap U.S. stocks and aims for long-term total returns comparable to the Russell 2000 Index [5]. - ITWO has a yield of 11.37%, while iShares Treasury BuyWrite Strat ETF (TLTW) yields 14.71%, and Westwood Salient Enhanced Midstream Income ETF (MDST) yields 9.03% [8]. - ITWO employs a "daily reset" approach, which contrasts with traditional covered call ETFs that sell monthly options, potentially capturing more upside in bull markets [7]. Group 2: Market Position and Performance - Smaller-cap stocks have been underperforming, but recent interest rate cuts are revitalizing these stocks, leading to strong performance in the Russell 2000 Index over the past few months [6]. - MDST focuses on midstream energy pipelines that earn fee-based revenues from increased U.S. energy exports to Europe, positioning it well in the current market [8]. - A select group of ETFs has successfully generated substantial yields without excessive risk, indicating potential for meaningful passive income opportunities [4].

When rates begin to fall, securities like bonds tend to look less effective and attractive due to their low yields. ...

Even if you've amassed a substantial amount of retirement savings over the years, unpredictable events such as market downturns can take a serious crack at your nest egg. ...

Core Insights - Warren Buffett retains an indirect stake in a secret portfolio that includes exposure to several dividend ETFs through Berkshire Hathaway's New England Asset Management [2][3] - Despite no longer being CEO, Buffett remains Chairman and holds significant shares, particularly A-class shares with voting power [3] ETF Analysis - **iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA)**: - Tracks the MSCI EAFE IMI Index, providing exposure to developed-market stocks outside the U.S. and Canada, including Europe, Japan, Australia, and Hong Kong [5] - Gained 25.6% over the past year, with a dividend yield of 3.48% distributed biannually and an expense ratio of 0.07% [6] - NEAM's holdings in IEFA increased by 35.2%, making it the third-largest holding at 6.37% of its portfolio [6][8] - **Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM)**: - Passively tracks higher-dividend-yielding companies matching the FTSE High Dividend Yield index, including REITs [7] - Represents 4.62% of NEAM's portfolio, yielding 2.39% [8] - **iShares Core MSCI International Developed Markets ETF (IDEV)**: - Gained 26.5% in the past year, with NEAM increasing its holdings by 30.1% [8]