Core Viewpoint - The Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) has experienced a period of underperformance, leading investors to shift their focus to more successful alternatives like the Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund ETF (VIG) [1] Group 1 - The Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) has been going through a dry spell for the past couple of years [1] - Investors have taken the opportunity to move into hotter names such as the Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund ETF (VIG) [1]

Last month, Barron’s pointed out that the U.S. economy is “K-shaped.” In other words, wealthier Americans, powered by the stock market’s strength, are in good shape financially, while poorer consumers who don’t own equities are struggling because the labor market is weak and inflation remains elevated, partly due to tariffs. Since consumer spending accounts for about 70% of U.S. GDP, lower outlays by the working class and the middle class could cause economic growth to decelerate sharply in 2026. Additio ...

Core Insights - Investing in high-dividend yield ETFs can enhance portfolio diversification and provide steady income, appealing to long-term investors and those nearing retirement [1][2] - Quality high-yield ETFs typically consist of mature and financially stable companies, making them attractive for wealth compounding through reinvested dividends [2] Group 1: SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 High Dividend ETF - The SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 High Dividend ETF (SPYD) tracks the top 80 high-dividend-yielding companies in the S&P 500, trading at approximately $43 per share with a trailing 12-month dividend yield of about 4.5% [4][5] - The ETF has a low expense ratio of 0.07%, meaning a $10,000 investment incurs only $7 in annual fees, and it currently manages over $7.3 billion in net assets [4][5] - The fund's top sector exposures include real estate (21.4%), utilities (13.4%), financials (17.3%), and consumer staples (16.3%), with minimal tech sector exposure of less than 2% [5][6] - Since its inception in 2015, the ETF has delivered a total return of about 130%, significantly lower than the S&P 500's over 300% return in the same period [6] Group 2: Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF - The Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) trades around $28 per share with a yield of approximately 3.8%, aiming to mirror the Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index [9][10] - The ETF focuses on companies with strong balance sheets and consistent dividend payments, holding around 100 stocks, including major names like Bristol Myers Squibb and Coca-Cola [10][12] - With an expense ratio of 0.06%, the fund has nearly $73 billion in assets under management and has delivered a total return of over 200% over the last decade, translating to an annualized return of about 11% to 12% [12][13]

Core Insights - The article emphasizes the importance of effective investment strategies for retirement savings, particularly aiming for a target of $1 million, while balancing risk appropriately [1][5]. Investment Strategies - It is recommended to consider investing in index funds for long-term savings, as they simplify the investment process by eliminating the need for constant stock analysis and trading decisions [2][5]. - Index funds can help investors target growth, income, or both, and diversifying across several funds is advised [5]. Growth Potential - Historical data indicates that the stock market has averaged annual returns of nearly 10% over several decades, with potential variations during individual investment periods [4]. - A table illustrates how monthly investments of $1,000 can grow over time at different annual growth rates (8%, 10%, and 12%), showing significant potential for wealth accumulation over 40 years [4]. Index Fund Recommendations - The article lists nine promising index funds in ETF form, highlighting their recent dividend yields and average annual returns over 5, 10, and 15 years [6][7]. - Notable ETFs include: - Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) with a 5-year average return of 14.91% and a recent dividend yield of 1.12% - Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) with a 5-year average return of 13.69% and a recent dividend yield of 1.11% - VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) with a 5-year average return of 28.96% and a recent dividend yield of 0.30% [7].

Core Insights - The Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) is popular due to its combination of long-term capital returns and a sustainable dividend yield close to 4% [1] - However, there are monthly dividend ETFs that have outperformed SCHD, suggesting income investors may benefit from diversifying their portfolios [2] - SCHD has declined by 2.98% over the past year, primarily due to limited exposure to the tech sector, while other ETFs have provided better returns [3] ETF Comparisons - The Amplify CWP Enhanced Dividend Income ETF (DIVO) is noted for outperforming SCHD by utilizing a strategy that combines high-quality large-cap investments with covered call options [4] - DIVO currently offers a dividend yield of 4.55% and has an expense ratio of 0.56%, with returns of 12.18% over the past year compared to SCHD's 0.33% [5][6] - The NEOS Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF (QQQI) provides a higher yield of 13.6% and has returned 21.8% over the past year, indicating strong competition in the dividend ETF space [7]

These funds will also help reduce or eliminate the need to sit and pick individual income stocks. Everyday investors can jump into monthly dividend ETFs and get exposure to hundreds of companies, bonds, or sectors in a single ticker. Best of all, the diversification that comes with monthly income ETFs helps give a buffer in case the market turns volatile.Seeing a regular deposit hit your inbox from a brokerage feels not just like a confidence boost, but it also helps to reduce the anxiety that comes with un ...

Core Insights - Retirees face a choice between high-yield dividend ETFs like JPMorgan Equity Premium Income ETF (JEPI) and long-term growth options like Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) [3][4] Group 1: JPMorgan Equity Premium Income ETF (JEPI) - JEPI offers a high dividend yield of 8.16%, providing significant annual income for investors [5][9] - The ETF invests in defensive, lower-volatility stocks and sells out-of-the-money call options on the S&P 500 Index, using Equity Linked Notes (ELNs) [7][9] - While JEPI provides both yield and upside potential, it has capped upside and limited downside protection, making it perform well in bullish market conditions [8][9] Group 2: Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) - SCHD yields 3.77% with a low expense ratio of 0.06% and offers uncapped upside potential [9] - The ETF has experienced a 4% decline over the past year but provides predictable downside protection [9]

The Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF (NYSEARCA:SCHD ) was often seen as the gold standard among dividend exchange-traded funds. ...

Core Insights - The Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF is designed for dividend investors seeking reliable income with minimal effort, tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 index which selects companies based on a composite score [2][4][5] - The ETF focuses on companies with strong financials, a history of dividend growth, and attractive valuations, making it a suitable option for long-term income generation [6][7][10] Investment Approach - The ETF's investment strategy mirrors that of income investors, selecting the top 100 companies based on a composite score that includes financial strength and dividend growth [5][7] - The index only includes stocks with a minimum of 10 consecutive years of dividend increases, excluding real estate investment trusts due to their unique structures [3] Performance Metrics - The ETF has a low expense ratio of 0.06%, making it cost-effective for investors [6] - Historical performance shows that both the ETF's price and dividend have trended higher over time, indicating solid growth potential for dividend investors [8] Dividend Yield Consideration - The ETF offers a dividend yield of approximately 3.8%, which some investors may find low, but it is essential to consider the long-term growth potential of the dividend [9][10] - A lower starting yield with expected steady growth may be more beneficial for investors in the long run, especially in the context of inflation [10]

Group 1 - The article highlights three high-yield ETFs as strong buy-and-hold opportunities: Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF, Invesco High Yield Equity Dividend Achievers ETF, and Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF [1] - Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF offers diversification with over 566 dividend-paying stocks, comparable to the S&P 500 index [3][4] - A $500 investment in Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF would yield approximately 2.5%, which is more than double the S&P 500 index yield [5] Group 2 - Invesco High Yield Equity Dividend Achievers ETF focuses on stocks that have increased dividends for at least a decade, selecting the top 50 highest-yielding stocks [6] - This ETF weights stocks by dividend yield rather than market cap, giving more influence to higher-yield stocks [6]