Core Insights - The article discusses the increasing focus on international dividend strategies among financial advisors, highlighting the advantages of these markets compared to the U.S. tech-heavy landscape [2][3]. Group 1: Advantages of International Dividends - International markets, particularly in the Automotive and Financial sectors, have a history of paying out a larger portion of their income to investors compared to U.S. markets driven by technology firms [3][4]. - Notable examples of high-yield international companies include Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and healthcare providers in Denmark and Switzerland, which offer a different investment profile than U.S. growth stocks [4]. Group 2: Investment Products - Franklin Templeton offers three specific ETFs to enhance portfolios with international dividends: - The Franklin International Core Dividend Tilt Index ETF (DIVI), which serves as an anchor for international investments with low active risk [5]. - The Franklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF (LVHI), focusing on low volatility and high-quality companies while employing currency hedging [6]. - The Franklin International Dividend Booster Index ETF (XIDV), which targets high-yield opportunities with controlled risk [6]. Group 3: Future Outlook - Franklin Templeton predicts that the ETF industry will reach $90 trillion in assets by 2040, with active products expected to capture 45% of that market [7]. - The ongoing generational shift and the demand for income streams in a moderate rate environment have made international dividends a significant topic of discussion [8].

Core Insights - The shift in focus from domestic tech investments to international investing is gaining momentum due to the high concentration of U.S. equities, where the top ten stocks account for 40% of the index [1] Group 1: International Investment Opportunities - International markets represent approximately 35% of global benchmarks, yet the average private client portfolio only allocates about 5% to these markets [3] - Over 70% of investable equities are located outside the U.S., often trading at 20-year valuation lows, presenting a significant opportunity for diversification [3] Group 2: Investment Strategies - The panel highlighted the risks associated with market-cap weighting in international indexes, suggesting that passive investment strategies may lead to exposure to stagnant "museum stocks" [4] - Active or factor-based ETFs are recommended to capture growth in emerging markets like India and Japan [4] Group 3: Managing Risks - Currency volatility is a concern for international investments, but currency-hedged ETFs can help mitigate overall portfolio risk [5] - The panel emphasized that international investing should be viewed as a form of insurance rather than merely a performance chase [5] Group 4: ETF Offerings - American Century offers several ETFs for international exposure, including the American Century Quality Diversified International ETF (QINT), Avantis International Small Cap Equity ETF (AVDS), and Avantis Emerging Markets Equity ETF (AVEM) [5] - Franklin Templeton's international ETF lineup includes the Franklin International Dividend Booster Index ETF (XIDV), Franklin International Core Dividend Tilt Index ETF (DIVI), and Franklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF (LVHI) [6]

Core Insights - Dividend exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are currently providing a combination of performance and income, with Franklin U.S. Dividend Booster Index ETF (XUDV) and Franklin International Dividend Booster Index ETF (XIDV) showing strong early-year performance [1] - XUDV has increased by over 9% and XIDV by 6.11% year-to-date, outperforming the S&P 500 [1] Domestic Performance: XUDV - XUDV tracks the VettaFi New Frontier U.S. Dividend Select Index (NFUS), focusing on U.S. large-cap companies that are essential, cash-flow positive, and dividend-focused [1] - Notable performers in February include: - LyondellBasell Industries NV (LYB) with a return of 17.4% - Edison International (EIX) achieving a 20.0% return - Vertiv Holdings Co (VRT) with a significant 36.9% return [1][1][1] International Performance: XIDV - XIDV tracks the VettaFi New Frontier International Dividend Select Index (NFDM), appealing to investors seeking high yield without leverage or derivatives [1] - Key performers in February include: - Infrastrutture Wireless Italiane SpA (INW) with a 20.0% return - Keppel Ltd (BN4:SES) returning 20.1% - Magna International Inc (MGA) surging 23.3% [1][1][1] Yield and Performance - Both XUDV and XIDV offer quarterly dividend yields, with XUDV at 4.55% and XIDV at 4.71% as of January 31 [1] - The funds utilize an optimization process that maximizes yield while limiting concentration risk and volatility, with competitive expense ratios of 9 basis points for XUDV and 19 basis points for XIDV [1][1][1]

Core Insights - Dividend exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are providing a combination of performance and income, with Franklin U.S. Dividend Booster Index ETF (XUDV) and Franklin International Dividend Booster Index ETF (XIDV) being highlighted as strong performers in early 2026 [1] Performance Overview - XUDV has outperformed the S&P 500 with a year-to-date increase of just over 9%, while XIDV has risen by 6.11%, making XUDV suitable for investors seeking performance and dividend maximization, and XIDV appealing for those looking for international diversification [2] Fund Strategies - XUDV tracks the VettaFi New Frontier U.S. Dividend Select Index (NFUS), focusing on U.S. large-cap companies that are essential, cash-flow positive, and dividend-focused [4] - XIDV follows the VettaFi New Frontier International Dividend Select Index (NFDM), aiming to deliver high yield without leverage or derivatives, benefiting from ongoing dollar weakness and stretched valuations [4] Yield and Expense Ratios - As of January 31, XUDV has a 30-day SEC yield of 4.55% and XIDV has a yield of 4.71%, providing investors with income alongside performance [5] - Both funds have competitive expense ratios, with XUDV at nine basis points and XIDV at 19 basis points, which helps in maximizing yield while limiting concentration risk and volatility [6] Notable Holdings Performance - In February 2026, notable performers in XUDV included: - Vertiv Holdings Co (VRT) with a return of 36.9% - Edison International (EIX) achieving a 20.0% return - LyondellBasell Industries NV (LYB) returning 17.4% [7] - For XIDV, standout performers included: - Magna International Inc (MGA) with a 23.3% increase - Keppel Ltd (BN4:SES) returning 20.1% - Infrastrutture Wireless Italiane SpA (INW) achieving a 20.0% return [8]

Core Insights - The Franklin International Dividend Booster Index ETF (XIDV) has outperformed the iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA) with a year-to-date return of 8.95% compared to IEFA's 8.75% [1] - XIDV's performance advantage is attributed to its rules-based dividend optimization framework, which focuses on higher-yielding, lower-volatility market segments [1] - The ETF's strategy aims to provide a dividend yield two to three times that of its parent index without using leverage or derivatives [1] Performance and Strategy - XIDV employs a three-stage optimization process to maximize dividend yield while controlling volatility and limiting concentration risk [1] - The ETF has minimal exposure to technology (~0.14%), contrasting with IEFA's significant tech weight, and instead focuses on sectors like European utilities, UK insurers, and Nordic banks [1] - The top holdings of XIDV include high-quality companies known for substantial dividend payouts, such as Carrefour SA (2.61%) and Engie SA (2.70%) [1] Income and Geographic Exposure - XIDV manages approximately $62 million in assets and has an expense ratio of 0.19%, offering a dividend yield around 6.7%, nearly double IEFA's ~3.5% yield [1] - The ETF includes about 7% Canadian exposure, benefiting from strong Canadian financials and energy sectors [1] - The structural edge of XIDV in emphasizing high dividend yield while maintaining volatility discipline is expected to remain relevant in the current market environment [1]

Core Insights - Dividend ETFs can enhance portfolio income and stability, serving as a complement to both active and passive investment strategies [1] - The discussion highlighted the Franklin International Dividend Booster Index ETF (XIDV) and the Franklin US Dividend Booster Index ETF (XUDV) as key products in this space [1] Group 1: Role of Dividend ETFs - Dividend ETFs are viewed as a reliable source of income and a stabilizing factor in investment portfolios, especially during volatile market conditions [2] - Investors are attracted to dividend investments due to their potential for consistent income, regardless of the prevailing interest rate environment [2] - The focus on dividend investing extends beyond yield collection; it involves risk management and intentional portfolio construction [2] Group 2: Benefits of XIDV and XUDV - The inclusion of XIDV and XUDV in a portfolio can lead to a reduction in overall expense ratios and lower portfolio risk while significantly increasing dividend yield [4] - These funds, launched at the beginning of the year, are expected to establish a one-year track record soon, with ongoing healthy trading volumes and tight spreads [5]