But you don’t have to be a multibillionaire like Ballmer to have a portfolio of dividend-paying stocks. Although Americans on the upper rungs of the economic ladder continue to own the lion’s share of stock in the United States, data from the Federal Reserve’s Survey of Consumer Finances show that 58% of U.S. families owned stocks in 2022 — the highest level ever recorded by the survey, and a sizable increase from the 32% ownership rate recorded in 1989. The data show stock ownership expanding among lower- ...

Group 1 - The Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is a dividend-centric ETF that competes with SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 High Dividend Yield ETF (SPYD) and Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) [1] - VYM has a yield of approximately 2.6%, which is higher than the S&P 500 index's 1.2%, but lower than SPYD's 4.5% and SCHD's 3.9% [2] - The Vanguard ETF employs a simple approach by selecting the highest-yielding 50% of dividend-paying stocks in the U.S. market, resulting in a diversified portfolio of over 550 stocks [4][5] Group 2 - The SPDR ETF focuses on the 80 highest-yielding stocks within the S&P 500 index, adding a layer of selectivity to its portfolio [6] - The Vanguard ETF's low expense ratio of 0.06% makes it an attractive option for investors seeking diversification [5] - The SPDR ETF has a slightly higher expense ratio of 0.07% but offers a more concentrated approach to high-yield stocks [8]

Group 1 - The WisdomTree International LargeCap Dividend Fund ETF (NYSEARCA: DOL) focuses on developed markets and aims to provide dividend income, performing reasonably well within its segment but not generating extraordinary alpha [1] - The ETF is primarily invested in developed international markets, excluding the US and Canada, indicating a specific geographic focus [1] Group 2 - The article does not provide any specific financial metrics or performance data related to the ETF's dividend yields or returns, suggesting a lack of detailed quantitative analysis [1]

Group 1 - The WisdomTree U.S. MidCap Dividend Fund ETF (NYSEARCA: DON) was launched on June 16, 2006, by WisdomTree Inc. and is co-managed by WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. and Mellon Investments Corporation [1] - The ETF provides dividend-focused exposure to the mid-cap segment of the U.S. equity market [1] - The fund charges an expense ratio of 0.38% [1]