Core Insights - The article compares two ETFs, Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF (VIG) and ProShares - S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats ETF (NOBL), highlighting their differing strategies in targeting reliable income through dividends [1][2]. Cost and Size Comparison - VIG has a significantly lower expense ratio of 0.05% compared to NOBL's 0.35% [3][4]. - VIG has assets under management (AUM) of $120.4 billion, while NOBL has $11.3 billion [3][4]. Performance Metrics - As of December 12, 2025, VIG's one-year return is 12.73%, outperforming NOBL's 3.05% [3]. - VIG has a max drawdown of -20.39% over five years, while NOBL's is -17.92% [5]. Portfolio Composition - VIG tracks 338 U.S. large-cap stocks with a focus on technology (28%), financial services (22%), and healthcare (15%), with major holdings including Broadcom, Microsoft, and Apple [6]. - NOBL consists of 70 stocks, with a sector allocation skewed towards industrials (23%) and consumer defensive (22%), featuring top positions like Albemarle and Expeditors International [7]. Investment Strategy - VIG emphasizes dividend growth and broad diversification, making it suitable for long-term investors focused on cost efficiency [8][11]. - NOBL aims for stability and risk control through equal weighting and sector caps, appealing to investors who prioritize consistent dividends and downside awareness [10][11].

I am working as a Business Analyst and Data Engineer in Germany and have started to build up a portfolio focused on Dividend Growth, both on the high and low-end yield spectrum. Primary focus is on Blue Chips with long-reaching dividend track records. I have been investing for 2 years and have been standing on the sidelines for way too long before. I love developing spreadsheets in Google and Excel to analyze financial performance and integrate these two sources with each other!Happy to connect on the vario ...

Core Insights - Dividend growers are considered some of the best long-term investments due to their ability to provide a lucrative and growing income stream alongside rising share prices, historically outperforming non-dividend payers and companies that do not increase dividends significantly [1] Company Summaries - **Brookfield Asset Management**: - A leading alternative investment manager with over $1 trillion in assets under management (AUM) and a current dividend yield of 3.3%, which is approximately three times the S&P 500's level [4] - The company has demonstrated strong dividend growth, increasing its payout by 19% in early 2024 and by another 15% the following year, with expectations of around 20% annual earnings growth over the next five years [5][6] - Brookfield is capitalizing on trends such as the shift towards alternative investments and AI infrastructure, supporting continued dividend growth of over 15% annually [6][8] - **MPLX**: - A master limited partnership (MLP) focused on energy midstream assets, currently yielding 8.1% [7] - MPLX has consistently raised its distribution by 10% or more for four consecutive years, with stable cash flow supported by long-term contracts and a conservative leverage ratio of 3.7 times [8] - The company generates enough cash to cover its payout comfortably by 1.3 times, providing flexibility for acquisitions and organic expansion projects [9] - **Prologis**: - Has delivered a compound annual dividend growth of 13% over the past five years, making it another strong candidate for dividend growth investment [8]

Core Insights - The article emphasizes the importance of in-depth research on various income-generating investment vehicles such as REITs, mREITs, Preferreds, BDCs, MLPs, and ETFs [1] Group 1: Analyst Background - Leo Nelissen is identified as an analyst focusing on significant economic developments related to supply chains, infrastructure, and commodities [2] - He is a contributing author for iREIT®+HOYA Capital, aiming to provide insightful analysis and actionable investment ideas, particularly in dividend growth opportunities [2] Group 2: Analyst's Position - The analyst has disclosed a beneficial long position in shares of AM, UNP, RTX, and REXR through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives [3] - The article expresses the analyst's own opinions and indicates that no compensation is received for the article, aside from Seeking Alpha [3] Group 3: Disclosure Information - Seeking Alpha clarifies that past performance is not indicative of future results and does not provide recommendations or advice on investment suitability [4] - The views expressed may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole, and the analysts are third-party authors, including both professional and individual investors [4]

Core Insights - Dividend growth stocks have historically provided strong returns, with an average annualized total return of 10.2% over the past 50 years, outperforming non-dividend payers and those with unchanged dividends [2] Group 1: NextEra Energy - NextEra Energy has increased its dividend for over 30 consecutive years, achieving a 10% compound annual growth rate over the past two decades, resulting in a 14% average annual total shareholder return [5][6] - The company expects to grow its adjusted earnings per share by more than 8% annually over the next decade and plans a 10% dividend increase in 2026, with a 6% compound annual growth rate through at least 2028 [8] Group 2: Realty Income - Realty Income has raised its dividend every year since its IPO in 1994, achieving a 4.2% compound annual growth rate and delivering a 13.7% average annualized total return [9] - The REIT invests in a diversified portfolio of properties secured by long-term net leases, producing durable rental income and maintaining a strong balance sheet [11][12] Group 3: Johnson & Johnson - Johnson & Johnson has increased its dividend for 63 consecutive years, qualifying as a Dividend King, and has delivered a 10.5% annualized total return over the past 30 years [13] - The company generates significant free cash flow, covering its dividend outlay, and invests heavily in research and development, supporting continued dividend growth [15][16] Group 4: Investment Potential - NextEra Energy, Realty Income, and Johnson & Johnson are positioned to continue their trends of dividend growth and double-digit annual total returns, making them ideal for investors looking to build a substantial portfolio [17]

Core Viewpoint - Investing in Dividend Aristocrats provides solid dividend growth from established businesses that have successfully navigated multiple business cycles [1] Group 1 - Dividend Aristocrats are companies known for their consistent and reliable dividend payments [1] - These companies have a proven track record of enduring various economic conditions, making them a stable investment choice [1] - The strategy of investing in Dividend Aristocrats can help anchor an investment portfolio [1]

Core Insights - The article emphasizes the importance of in-depth research on various income-generating investment vehicles, including REITs, mREITs, Preferreds, BDCs, MLPs, and ETFs, highlighting the value of a free trial for potential investors [1]. Group 1 - The analyst Leo Nelissen focuses on major economic developments related to supply chains, infrastructure, and commodities, aiming to provide insightful analysis and actionable investment ideas [2]. - The analysis particularly emphasizes dividend growth opportunities, indicating a strategic focus on income generation for investors [2]. Group 2 - The article includes disclosures regarding the analyst's lack of positions in the mentioned companies, ensuring transparency in the analysis provided [3]. - It also clarifies that past performance does not guarantee future results, and no specific investment recommendations are made, maintaining a neutral stance on investment suitability [4].

Both funds focus on dividend consistency, but their index construction leads to distinct outcomes as market leadership shifts.Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF (VIG) stands out for its ultra-low costs, broader sector mix, and higher recent returns, while ProShares - S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats ETF (NOBL) focuses on equal-weighted blue-chip dividend growers with a defensive tilt.Both funds target companies with robust dividend track records, but VIG and NOBL take different routes: VIG casts a wider net wit ...

Market Overview - The S&P has reached 39 all-time highs this year, with all 11 sectors turning positive [2] - The VIX index is under 14 for the first time in a year, indicating reduced market volatility [2] - The macroeconomic factors did not drive the market; instead, earnings were the primary driver [3] Future Outlook - The market is expected to set up well for 2025, with historical trends showing bull markets occurring every decade [3] - In the fourth year of a bull market, there is a 50% chance of continued positive returns, but also a significant risk of drawdowns [4] - Leadership within sectors is expected to rotate, with volatility likely to increase and overall returns moderating [5] Sector Analysis - There is a potential shift in leadership within the tech sector, with a focus on companies that demonstrate profitability and margin growth rather than just spending [7] - AI-related spending is projected to grow from $400 billion this year to $600 billion next year, particularly in infrastructure and data center buildouts [6] - Companies in cybersecurity and software are highlighted as potential beneficiaries of AI advancements [8][11] Investment Strategy - The focus is on dividend growth companies, which have a history of increasing dividends rather than just high-yield stocks [10] - The "Dogs of the Dow" strategy, which targets the highest yielding stocks, has outperformed expectations this year [10] - Specific companies like Palo Alto Networks are noted for their leadership in cybersecurity, which is becoming increasingly essential due to rising data access risks [11]

Dividends can make you a millionaire if you invest in the right kind of stocks.Investors in stocks often focus solely on price appreciation but overlook the quiet power of dividends, a force that can dramatically boost the stock's total returns over time.History speaks for itself. Between 1940 and 2024, dividends contributed an average of 34% to the S&P 500's (^GSPC 0.03%) total returns, according to data from Morningstar and Hartford Funds.History also shows that companies that consistently increase their ...