The WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Quality Dividend Growth ETF (DGRS) was launched on 07/25/2013, and is a smart beta exchange traded fund designed to offer broad exposure to the Style Box - Small Cap Blend category of the market.What Are Smart Beta ETFs?The ETF industry has traditionally been dominated by products based on market capitalization weighted indexes that are designed to represent the market or a particular segment of the market.Investors who believe in market efficiency should consider market cap ind ...

The U.S. economy has lately been showing signs of weakness. There are concerns about the health of the job market and the overall U.S. economy. Due tothe Trump administration’s wavering trade policies, which add uncertainty in the U.S. economy, investors seeking stable income are looking at dividend stocks and funds to boost their portfolios.Federal Reserve Governor Michelle Bowman recently indicated that she is considering three interest rate cuts this year due to the economic slowdown. Bowman indicated th ...

Core Insights - The WisdomTree International Hedged Quality Dividend Growth ETF (IHDG) is designed to provide broad exposure to developed market companies while neutralizing currency fluctuations against the U.S. dollar [1][6] - The fund has amassed over $2.4 billion in assets, making it one of the larger ETFs in the Broad Developed World ETFs category [5] - The ETF has an annual operating expense ratio of 0.58% and a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 2.62% [7] Fund Management and Strategy - Managed by WisdomTree, IHDG seeks to match the performance of the WisdomTree International Hedged Quality Dividend Growth Index [5] - The ETF employs a smart beta strategy, focusing on stock selection based on fundamental characteristics to enhance risk-return performance [3][4] Performance Metrics - The ETF has a return of approximately 5.06% and has increased by about 5.36% year-to-date as of August 11, 2025 [10] - IHDG has a beta of 0.72 and a standard deviation of 14.06% over the trailing three-year period, indicating medium risk [11] Holdings and Sector Exposure - The fund's top 10 holdings account for approximately 123.65% of its total assets under management, with the U.S. dollar comprising about 87.4% of total assets [8][9] - The ETF's diversified nature helps minimize single stock risk, with around 300 holdings [11] Alternatives and Market Position - IHDG may not be suitable for investors seeking to outperform the Broad Developed World ETFs segment, with alternatives like iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF (DGRO) and Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF (VIG) available [12][13] - DGRO has $32.82 billion in assets and an expense ratio of 0.08%, while VIG has $93.56 billion and an expense ratio of 0.05% [13]

Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the importance of dividend stocks as a reliable income source amid economic uncertainty, highlighting the Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) as a top choice for investors looking to add dividend-paying investments to their portfolios [1][9][11]. Summary by Sections Dividend ETFs Overview - Not all dividend ETFs are created equal, with significant differences in performance and underlying indices [3][4]. - The Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) and SPDR S&P Dividend ETF (SDY) both yield just under 2.6%, but VYM has outperformed SDY by approximately 40% over the past five years [4]. - The Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) has a trailing yield of 3.9%, but has underperformed compared to VYM and SDY [5]. Performance Analysis - The Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF (VIG) has been the best performer over the past five years, focusing on consistent dividend growth with a trailing yield of 1.65% [7][8]. - SCHD is highlighted as a smart investment choice due to its potential for reversal in performance trends favoring value stocks over growth stocks [11][12]. Market Conditions and Predictions - Current market conditions are shifting from a growth stock environment to one favoring value stocks, which benefits dividend-paying stocks [11][14]. - Economic factors such as inflation, trade uncertainties, and labor issues are contributing to predictions of below-average returns for the U.S. stock market, with expected annual growth rates between 3.3% and 6% over the next decade [17][18]. Investment Strategy - Investors are encouraged to consider reallocating their portfolios towards dividend-paying value investments, as cash dividends may become increasingly valuable in a stagnant market [16][18]. - A gradual shift towards favoring dividends and value stocks is anticipated, suggesting that proactive adjustments to investment strategies may be beneficial [19][20].

Designed to provide broad exposure to the Style Box - Small Cap Value category of the market, the ProShares Russell 2000 Dividend Growers ETF (SMDV) is a smart beta exchange traded fund launched on 02/03/2015.What Are Smart Beta ETFs?The ETF industry has traditionally been dominated by products based on market capitalization weighted indexes that are designed to represent the market or a particular segment of the market.Investors who believe in market efficiency should consider market cap indexes, as they r ...

Making its debut on 02/03/2015, smart beta exchange traded fund ProShares S&P MidCap 400 Dividend Aristocrats ETF (REGL) provides investors broad exposure to the Style Box - Mid Cap Value category of the market.What Are Smart Beta ETFs?The ETF industry has traditionally been dominated by products based on market capitalization weighted indexes that are designed to represent the market or a particular segment of the market.Because market cap weighted indexes provide a low-cost, convenient, and transparent wa ...

A smart beta exchange traded fund, the WisdomTree Global ex-U.S. Quality Dividend Growth ETF (DNL) debuted on 06/16/2006, and offers broad exposure to the World ETFs category of the market.What Are Smart Beta ETFs?The ETF industry has traditionally been dominated by products based on market capitalization weighted indexes that are designed to represent the market or a particular segment of the market.Market cap weighted indexes offer a low-cost, convenient, and transparent way of replicating market returns, ...

Group 1 - The Vanguard Value ETF (VTV) has a low expense ratio of 0.04% and manages nearly $200 billion in total fund assets, making it a preferred choice for investors seeking exposure to U.S. large-cap value stocks [1] - The Sunday Investor has completed educational requirements for the Chartered Investment Manager designation and is on track to become a licensed options and derivatives trading advisor, focusing on U.S. Equity ETFs [1] - The Sunday Investor maintains a comprehensive ETF Database that tracks performance and fundamentals for nearly 1,000 funds, indicating a robust analytical framework [1]

Inflation and Tariffs - Inflation in the United States accelerated in June, with the Consumer Price Index growing 2.7% year over year, up from 2.4% in May, marking the highest level since February [1] - Month over month, inflation climbed 0.3%, an increase from a 0.1% rise the previous month [1] - Tariffs imposed under President Trump are raising costs for everyday goods, with core prices (excluding food and energy) increasing to 2.9% from 2.8% [2] Impact of Tariffs - The inflation increase coincides with tariffs enacted by the Trump administration, including a 10% levy on all imports, 50% duties on steel and aluminum, 30% on Chinese goods, and 25% on imported automobiles [3] - Gasoline prices rose 1% from May to June, grocery prices climbed 0.35%, and appliance prices increased for the third consecutive month [3] - Major companies like Walmart, Nike, and Mitsubishi have acknowledged passing higher costs onto consumers, with some firms previously stockpiling inventory to delay price hikes [4] Dividend Investing Strategy - Dividend investing is highlighted as a viable strategy due to its income generation, providing a steady stream of income even amid market volatility [4] - Companies with a strong history of dividend growth may continue to increase dividends, which can help offset rising interest rates [5] - Dividend-paying stocks are often found in defensive sectors such as utilities, consumer staples, and healthcare, which can provide stability during economic downturns [6] Benefits of Dividend Stocks - Reinvesting dividends can enhance compounding returns, leading to exponential growth over the long term [7] - Dividend-paying stocks can serve as a hedge against inflation, as companies that can pass on increased costs to customers may maintain or increase profitability [7] ETFs for Dividend Investing - Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF (VIG) is the largest in the dividend space with an AUM of $93 billion, holding 337 stocks and charging 5 bps in annual fees [9] - Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) has an AUM of $61.8 billion, holding 582 stocks and charging 6 bps in annual fees [11] - iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF (DGRO) tracks 397 companies with sustained dividend growth, has an AUM of $32.5 billion, and charges 8 bps in fees [12] - SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 High Dividend ETF (SPYD) provides exposure to high dividend income stocks with an AUM of $7 billion, holding 77 stocks and charging 7 bps in annual fees [13] - Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) offers exposure to 103 high-dividend-yielding U.S. companies, with an AUM of $71.3 billion and charging 6 bps in annual fees [14]

Core Insights - The Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF (VIG) is a smart beta ETF launched on April 21, 2006, providing broad exposure to the large-cap blend market segment [1] - VIG aims to match the performance of the NASDAQ US Dividend Achievers Select Index, focusing on companies with a history of increasing dividends [5] Fund Overview - VIG has amassed over $92.31 billion in assets, making it one of the largest ETFs in its category [5] - The ETF has an annual operating expense ratio of 0.05%, positioning it as one of the least expensive options available [6] - The 12-month trailing dividend yield for VIG is 1.72% [6] Sector Exposure and Holdings - The ETF has a significant allocation in the Information Technology sector, comprising approximately 25.9% of the portfolio, followed by Financials and Healthcare [7] - Broadcom Inc (AVGO) represents about 5.11% of the fund's total assets, with Microsoft Corp (MSFT) and Jpmorgan Chase & Co (JPM) also among the top holdings [8] Performance Metrics - VIG has increased by roughly 5.27% year-to-date and has risen about 10.67% over the past year as of July 16, 2025 [9] - The ETF has traded between $173.71 and $207.81 in the past 52 weeks [9] - VIG has a beta of 0.85 and a standard deviation of 14.24% over the trailing three-year period, indicating a medium risk profile [10] Alternatives - Other ETFs in the same space include WisdomTree U.S. Quality Dividend Growth ETF (DGRW) and iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF (DGRO), with assets of $15.95 billion and $32.19 billion respectively [12] - DGRW has an expense ratio of 0.28%, while DGRO has a lower expense ratio of 0.08% [12]