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Dividend factor ETFs

Since 1926, dividends have contributed nearly a third of total equity return while capital gains have contributed two-thirds. So dividend investing has become very popular. A dividend ETF is a so-called "smart beta" ETF that follows an index that intentionally selects stocks with high dividend yields, and/or weights the stocks it is holding, based on each stock's dividend yield (rather than each stock's market capitalization).

Does dividend investing work?

What is the goal?

Dividend ETFs are not necessarily about outperforming the market. In low interest rate environment, dividend ETFs have soared in popularity partly because investors are looking for any kind of yield. Many dividend ETFs combine dividend strategies with low volatility strategies, under the theory that investors looking for yield also want stable, conservative companies with less volatility.

What factors do you get with a dividend ETF?

It is difficult to use academic research as a tool to analyze dividend yield ETFs because most factor investment academic research does not specifically address dividends as a factor by itself. There is research on low volatility investing, and value investing, but not a lot on dividend investing. The general consensus seems to be that by selecting dividend stocks, you are indirectly selecting value stocks and low volatility stocks.

How well do dividend ETFs perform?

Here's a screen of U.S. equity dividend ETFs:

NameSymbolLast priceCurrencyAUMExpense ratio, %Inception date
Vanguard Div Appreciation ETFARCX:VIG202.30USD100,500,000,0000.06Apr 21, 2006
Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETFARCX:VYM133.06USD72,700,000,0000.06Nov 10, 2006
Schwab US Dividend Equity ETFARCX:SCHD28.07USD67,995,242,4960.06Oct 20, 2011
iShares Core Dividend Growth ETFARCX:DGRO63.47USD30,765,669,7210.08Jun 12, 2014
SPDR S&P Dividend ETFARCX:SDY133.91USD21,732,490,0000.35Nov 08, 2005
iShares Select Dividend ETFXNAS:DVY135.10USD20,571,541,8110.38Nov 07, 2003
Schwab Fundamental U.S. Large Company ETFARCX:FNDX24.68USD18,139,875,3280.25Aug 15, 2013
WisdomTree U.S. Quality Dividend Growth FundXNAS:DGRW83.83USD13,438,577,3800.28May 22, 2013
ProShares S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats ETFBATS:NOBL101.85USD12,780,793,5450.35Oct 10, 2013
iShares Core High Dividend ETFARCX:HDV114.44USD11,185,854,3340.08Mar 31, 2011
First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETFXNAS:RDVY62.52USD11,078,860,3600.49Jan 07, 2014
First Trust VL DividendARCX:FVD44.43USD9,412,654,9000.60Aug 27, 2003
Capital Group Dividend Value ETFARCX:CGDV36.64USD9,346,927,6350.33Feb 24, 2022
Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETFXNAS:VYMI70.05USD8,400,000,0000.22Feb 25, 2016
Invesco FTSE RAFI US 1000 ETFARCX:PRF42.10USD7,622,455,5000.29Dec 19, 2005
Vanguard International Dividend Appreciation ETFXNAS:VIGI82.69USD7,600,000,0000.15Feb 25, 2016
SPDR Series Trust SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 High Dividend ETFARCX:SPYD44.00USD7,148,720,0000.07Oct 21, 2015
First Trust SMID Cap Rising Dividend Achievers ETFXNAS:SDVY37.80USD5,249,313,0670.60Nov 03, 2017
Fidelity High Dividend ETFARCX:FDVV51.41USD4,184,190,3530.16Sep 15, 2016
iShares International Select Dividend ETFBATS:IDV28.21USD4,160,937,3000.49Jun 21, 2007
First Trust Morningstar ETFARCX:FDL41.25USD4,024,261,8790.45Mar 15, 2006
WisdomTree U.S. LargeCap Dividend FundARCX:DLN80.35USD4,017,620,7000.28Jun 16, 2006
FT Vest S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Target Income ETFBATS:KNG50.93USD3,626,763,7000.75Mar 27, 2018
Invesco S&P 500 High Dividend Low Volatility ETFARCX:SPHD48.66USD3,539,330,8300.30Oct 18, 2012
WisdomTree U.S. MidCap Dividend FundARCX:DON52.66USD3,521,515,0950.38Jun 16, 2006
Amplify CWP Enhanced Dividend Income ETFARCX:DIVO42.12USD3,297,388,5000.56Dec 15, 2016
Capital Group Core Equity ETFARCX:CGUS36.30USD3,084,066,9400.33Feb 24, 2022
WisdomTree Emerging Markets High Dividend FundARCX:DEM41.39USD2,809,116,7200.63Jul 13, 2007
WisdomTree International Hedged Quality Dividend Growth FundARCX:IHDG45.60USD2,637,145,3500.58May 07, 2014
First Trust NASDAQ Technology Dividend Index FundXNAS:TDIV82.63USD2,573,720,7650.50Aug 14, 2012
WisdomTree Emerging Market SmallCap FundARCX:DGS49.20USD2,211,832,5500.58Oct 30, 2007
iShares iBonds Dec 2025 Term Treasury ETFXNAS:IBTF23.37USD2,108,049,0800.07Feb 28, 2020
iShares iBonds Dec 2029 Term Corporate ETFARCX:IBDU22.85USD2,091,150,4600.10Sep 19, 2019
BNY Mellon Core Bond ETFARCX:BKAG41.32USD1,964,902,5000.27Apr 24, 2020
Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETFBATS:GCOW34.57USD1,926,230,1500.60Feb 23, 2016
WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend FundARCX:DES34.83USD1,919,853,8000.38Jun 16, 2006
Invesco Variable Rate Preferred ETFARCX:VRP24.27USD1,870,348,5000.50May 01, 2014
FlexShares Quality Dividend Index FundARCX:QDF72.27USD1,758,297,7760.37Dec 19, 2012
JPMorgan Income ETFARCX:JPIE45.85USD1,751,889,6000.39Nov 02, 2021
ProShares S&P MidCap 400 Dividend Aristocrats ETFBATS:REGL82.69USD1,729,522,6200.40Feb 05, 2015
Invesco FTSE RAFI Developed Markets ex-U.S. ETFARCX:PXF49.80USD1,711,476,0000.45Jun 25, 2007
Xtrackers MSCI EAFE High Dividend Yield Equity ETFARCX:HDEF25.16USD1,625,251,5240.09Aug 18, 2015
iShares iBonds Dec 2024 Term Treasury ETFXNAS:IBTE23.87USD1,551,594,3950.07Mar 03, 2020
iShares iBonds Dec 2026 Term Treasury ETFXNAS:IBTG22.85USD1,536,755,3240.07Feb 28, 2020
Invesco BulletShares 2029 Corporate Bond ETFXNAS:BSCT18.30USD1,508,033,7180.10Sep 12, 2019
Cambria Shareholder Yield ETFBATS:SYLD70.79USD1,302,258,9250.59May 14, 2013
Franklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF BATS:LVHI30.99USD1,264,934,5380.40Jul 28, 2016
Invesco High Yield Equity Dividend Achievers ETFXNAS:PEY21.00USD1,255,066,8000.40Dec 09, 2004
WisdomTree U.S. Total Dividend FundARCX:DTD78.35USD1,242,587,9150.28Jun 16, 2006
ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETFARCX:SDOG58.18USD1,225,440,5440.36Jun 29, 2012
iShares iBonds Dec 2027 Term Treasury ETFXNAS:IBTH22.23USD1,134,475,3720.07Feb 28, 2020
WisdomTree U.S. High Dividend FundARCX:DHS95.15USD1,095,210,3500.38Jun 16, 2006
WisdomTree International SmallCap FundARCX:DLS63.81USD964,121,0600.58Jun 16, 2006
iShares International Dividend Growth ETFBATS:IGRO69.72USD928,909,4250.15May 19, 2016
Franklin International Core Dividend Tilt Index ETFARCX:DIVI31.44USD890,460,0000.09Jun 03, 2016
WisdomTree International Quality Dividend Growth FundBATS:IQDG36.19USD890,175,6000.42Apr 07, 2016
ALPS O'Shares U.S. Small-Cap Quality Dividend ETFBATS:OUSM44.50USD881,720,7830.48Dec 30, 2016
Invesco International Dividend Achievers ETFXNAS:PID18.54USD852,968,5800.40Sep 15, 2005
Invesco Exchange-Traded Fund Trust II Invesco S&P Ultra Dividend Revenue ETFARCX:RDIV49.47USD836,953,2800.39Sep 30, 2013
ALPS O'Shares U.S. Quality Dividend ETFBATS:OUSA54.05USD814,201,6160.48Jul 14, 2015
VictoryShares US EQ Income Enhanced Volatility Wtd ETFXNAS:CDC64.39USD813,032,5840.38Jul 02, 2014
Schwab International Dividend Equity ETFARCX:SCHY23.69USD782,491,2000.14Apr 29, 2021
Global X SuperDividend ETFARCX:SDIV20.96USD781,400,0000.58Jun 08, 2011
ProShares Russell 2000 Dividend Growers ETFBATS:SMDV68.21USD777,071,3600.40Feb 05, 2015
Schwab Long-Term U.S. Treasury ETFARCX:SCHQ31.41USD774,700,3520.03Oct 11, 2019
Invesco Dividend Achievers ETFXNAS:PFM47.47USD722,056,4000.40Sep 15, 2005
iShares Emerging Markets Dividend Index Fund Exchange Traded FundARCX:DVYE26.44USD692,209,3450.49Feb 24, 2012
Global X Super Dividend ETFARCX:DIV18.52USD660,750,0000.45Mar 11, 2013
T. Rowe Price Dividend Growth ETFARCX:TDVG41.16USD652,147,2270.50Aug 05, 2020
WisdomTree Global ex-US Quality Dividend Growth FundARCX:DNL37.49USD602,014,4200.42Jun 16, 2006
Franklin U.S. Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETFXNAS:LVHD38.85USD594,281,7950.27Dec 29, 2015
iShares Core Dividend ETFBATS:DIVB49.35USD592,037,4750.05Nov 09, 2017
FlexShares International Quality Dividend Index FundARCX:IQDF24.17USD564,281,6640.47Apr 16, 2013
Fidelity Dividend ETF for Rising RatesARCX:FDRR52.90USD549,273,8420.16Sep 15, 2016
First Trust DJ Global Select DividendARCX:FGD22.78USD525,412,4450.56Nov 27, 2007
WisdomTree International Equity FundARCX:DWM54.70USD522,859,6700.48Jun 16, 2006
SPDR S&P Emerging Markets Dividend ETFARCX:EDIV35.61USD520,039,9990.49Feb 23, 2011
iShares iBonds Dec 2026 Term Muni Bond ETFBATS:IBMO25.49USD501,801,0080.18Apr 04, 2019
WisdomTree International LargeCap Dividend FundARCX:DOL51.49USD497,468,1600.48Jun 16, 2006
FlexShares Morningstar Developed Markets ex-US Factor Tilt Index FundARCX:TLTD71.31USD467,869,9880.39Oct 02, 2012
Pacer Metaurus US Large Cap Dividend Multiplier 400 ETFARCX:QDPL39.76USD448,309,6110.60Jul 27, 2021
Cambria ETF Trust Cambria Emerging Shareholder Yield ETFBATS:EYLD32.03USD419,947,8230.66Jul 14, 2016
iShares iBonds Dec 2029 Term Treasury ETFXNAS:IBTJ21.35USD418,193,2090.07Feb 28, 2020
SPDR S&P International Dividend ETFARCX:DWX35.38USD410,620,0000.45Feb 12, 2008
Invesco KBW High Dividend Yield Financial ETFXNAS:KBWD14.89USD404,836,8800.35Dec 02, 2010
Invesco FTSE RAFI Developed Markets ex-U.S. Small-Mid ETFARCX:PDN32.71USD401,758,2000.49Sep 27, 2007
FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index FundARCX:QDEF71.65USD378,896,7360.37Dec 19, 2012
WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Quality Dividend Growth FundXNAS:DGRS52.24USD378,346,5750.38Jul 25, 2013
Invesco S&P International Developed Quality ETFXNYS:IDHQ28.83USD374,027,6500.29Jun 13, 2007
Opus Small Cap Value ETFBATS:OSCV37.92USD373,174,6420.80Jul 18, 2018
AAM Low Duration Preferred and Income Securities ETFARCX:PFLD20.78USD362,556,8100.46Nov 20, 2019
VictoryShares US Large Cap High Div Volatility Wtd ETFXNAS:CDL67.24USD336,706,2570.35Jul 08, 2015
Invesco Dow Jones Industrial Average Dividend ETFARCX:DJD52.59USD330,140,1600.07Dec 16, 2015
SPDR SSGA Fixed Income Sector Rotation ETFARCX:FISR25.39USD311,920,0000.50Apr 02, 2019
WisdomTree International High Dividend FundARCX:DTH38.77USD308,418,0400.58Jun 16, 2006
WisdomTree Dynamic Currency Hedged International SmallCap Equity FundBATS:DDLS34.99USD305,044,2000.48Apr 26, 2016
VictoryShares US Small Cap High Div Volatility Wtd ETFXNAS:CSB61.25USD293,234,8400.35Jul 29, 2015
ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETFARCX:IDOG29.90USD290,125,2160.50Jun 27, 2013
WisdomTree Dynamic Currency Hedged International Equity FundBATS:DDWM35.39USD283,007,4000.40Feb 04, 2016
Harbor ETF Trust Harbor Dividend Growth Leaders ETFXNYS:GDIV15.90USD281,263,8280.50May 23, 2022
ProShares S&P Technology Dividend Aristocrats ETFBATS:TDV78.74USD261,846,3120.45Nov 07, 2019
Invesco India ETFARCX:PIN24.90USD260,133,9600.78Mar 05, 2008
FlexShares Morningstar Emerging Markets Factor Tilt Index FundARCX:TLTE51.91USD259,841,0510.57Oct 02, 2012
Invesco KBW Premium Yield Equity REIT ETFXNAS:KBWY17.64USD251,954,7800.35Dec 02, 2010
WisdomTree Japan SmallCap FundARCX:DFJ75.02USD250,569,6000.58Jun 16, 2006
VictoryShares Dividend Accelerator ETFXNAS:VSDA52.04USD249,727,9740.35Apr 18, 2017
Invesco BulletShares 2025 Municipal Bond ETFXNAS:BSMP24.57USD247,833,8240.18Sep 25, 2019
Tidal ETF Trust SP Funds Dow Jones Global Sukuk ETFARCX:SPSK17.72USD227,315,3400.55Dec 31, 2019
Invesco BulletShares 2026 Municipal Bond ETFXNAS:BSMQ23.63USD227,116,8230.18Sep 25, 2019
Timothy Plan High Dividend Stock ETFARCX:TPHD37.96USD224,280,0000.52May 01, 2019
SPDR S&P Global DividendARCX:WDIV62.24USD203,590,0000.40May 29, 2013
Global X Emerging Markets Bond ETFARCX:EMBD22.66USD201,090,0000.39Jun 01, 2020
Invesco BulletShares 2027 Municipal Bond ETFXNAS:BSMR23.56USD189,920,0230.18Sep 25, 2019
WisdomTree Europe SmallCap Dividend FundARCX:DFE57.47USD170,319,4200.58Jun 16, 2006
Invesco BulletShares 2029 Municipal Bond ETFXNAS:BSMT22.87USD153,351,0230.18Sep 25, 2019
First Trust Dow Jones STOXX Select Dividend 30 Index FundARCX:FDD11.83USD150,615,3670.59Aug 30, 2007
INVESCO BULLETSHARES 2024 MUXNAS:BSMO24.88USD144,373,6240.18Sep 25, 2019
Federated Hermes ETF Trust Federated Hermes U.S. Strategic Dividend ETFARCX:FDV27.58USD140,556,2500.50Nov 16, 2022
WisdomTree Emerging Markets Quality Dividend Growth FundXNAS:DGRE25.25USD138,557,9000.32Aug 01, 2013
Opal Dividend Income ETFARCX:DIVZ33.70USD136,459,4980.65Jan 27, 2021
Invesco BulletShares 2028 Municipal Bond ETFXNAS:BSMS23.32USD136,450,8230.18Sep 25, 2019
WisdomTree International MidCap Dividend FundARCX:DIM62.89USD130,362,8850.58Jun 16, 2006
Amplify CWP International Enhanced Dividend Income ETFARCX:IDVO31.37USD129,191,0850.66Sep 08, 2022
Freedom Day Dividend ETFARCX:MBOX34.41USD104,946,8980.39May 05, 2021
Anfield Universal Fixed Income ETFBATS:AFIF9.17USD104,308,7501.09Oct 02, 2018
WisdomTree Global High Dividend FundARCX:DEW53.69USD103,007,4000.58Jun 16, 2006
MarketDesk Focused U.S. Dividend ETFXNAS:FDIV27.37USD101,153,6010.35Aug 13, 2014
Fidelity International High Dividend ETFARCX:FIDI20.26USD99,057,4170.18Jan 25, 2018
Columbia U.S. Equity Income ETFARCX:EQIN46.18USD81,583,7120.35
Hoya Capital High Dividend Yield ETFARCX:RIET10.09USD77,353,6000.50Sep 22, 2021
First Trust S&P International Dividend Aristocrats ETFXNAS:FID16.31USD75,952,0320.60Aug 23, 2013
WisdomTree Japan Hedged SmallCap Equity FundXNAS:DXJS34.31USD74,141,0400.58Jun 28, 2013
RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETFARCX:RFDA57.15USD72,945,8520.52Sep 28, 2016
ProShares Trust ProShares MSCI EAFE Dividend Growers ETFBATS:EFAD37.97USD71,276,6700.50Aug 21, 2014
Principal Value ETFXNAS:PY51.20USD69,887,3760.15Mar 22, 2016
WisdomTree Europe Quality Dividend Growth FundARCX:EUDG31.61USD66,823,0500.58May 07, 2014
Timothy Plan High Dividend Stock Enhanced ETFARCX:TPHE25.87USD65,512,5850.55Jul 30, 2021
FlexShares International Quality Dividend Dynamic Index FundARCX:IQDY28.78USD65,009,5280.47Apr 16, 2013
WBI Power Factor High Dividend ETFARCX:WBIY30.65USD64,800,5000.99Dec 22, 2016
Invesco S&P SmallCap High Dividend Low Volatility ETFXNYS:XSHD14.39USD62,208,0150.30Dec 01, 2016
AAM S&P 500 High Dividend Value ETFARCX:SPDV34.20USD59,463,2500.29Nov 29, 2017
Siren DIVCON Leaders Dividend ETFBATS:LEAD69.23USD56,450,1870.43Jan 06, 2016
WisdomTree Mortgage Plus Bond FundARCX:MTGP43.20USD53,164,2000.45Dec 06, 2019
First Trust Dorsey Wright Momentum & Dividend ETFXNAS:DDIV40.38USD52,433,4670.60Mar 11, 2014
VanEck Durable High Dividend ETFBATS:DURA33.19USD50,376,8500.29Oct 31, 2018
ClearBridge Dividend Strategy ESG ETFXNAS:YLDE52.41USD46,897,2390.47May 26, 2017
UBS AG ETRACS Alerian Midstream Energy High Dividend Index ETNARCX:AMND53.54USD46,174,0000.75Jul 23, 2020
iShares Asia / Pacific Dividend 30 Index Fund Exchange Traded FundARCX:DVYA36.40USD41,571,5300.49Feb 24, 2012
Principal Spectrum Tax-Advantaged Dividend Active ETFARCX:PQDI19.01USD35,348,9480.60Jun 17, 2020
First Trust S&P 500 Diversified Dividend Aristocrats ETFXNAS:KNGZ33.57USD34,947,0630.50Jun 26, 2017
Global X MSCI SuperDividend Emerging Markets ETFARCX:SDEM25.09USD33,960,0000.68Mar 16, 2015
Global X Alternative Income ETFXNAS:ALTY11.95USD33,740,0000.50Jul 13, 2015
Touchstone ETF Trust Touchstone Dividend Select ETFARCX:DVND32.14USD33,473,2500.68Aug 05, 2022
ETRACS Monthly Pay 2x Leveraged Small Cap High Dividend ETN Series BARCX:SMHB5.34USD33,288,0000.85Nov 09, 2018
Global X S&P 500 Quality Dividend ETFARCX:QDIV35.45USD31,670,0000.20Jul 13, 2018
Roundhill Acquirers Deep Value ETFARCX:DEEP34.82USD31,390,8300.80Sep 23, 2014
SmartETFs Dividend Builder ETFARCX:DIVS29.54USD31,219,9050.65Apr 01, 2021
Global X Renewable Energy Producers ETFXNAS:RNRG8.55USD31,030,0000.65May 27, 2015
Sound Equity Dividend Income ETFXNYS:DIVY26.14USD29,734,1680.45Jan 04, 2021
ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETFARCX:EDOG21.14USD27,250,6750.60Mar 27, 2014
First Trust Dividend Strength ETFXNAS:FTDS52.52USD22,116,6980.70Dec 23, 2014
FlexShares International Quality Dividend Defensive Index FundARCX:IQDE20.60USD21,554,5210.47Apr 16, 2013
Listed Funds Trust Dividend Performers ETFBATS:IPDP20.22USD20,878,3111.52Mar 07, 2022
First Trust Bloomberg Shareholder Yield ETFXNAS:SHRY41.18USD19,456,0770.60Jun 22, 2017
Amplify Cash Flow Dividend Leaders ETFXNAS:COWS30.31USD15,730,1760.39Sep 13, 2023
Nuveen ESG Dividend ETFBATS:NUDV28.77USD15,039,1250.26Sep 28, 2021
AB Active ETFs, Inc. AB US High Dividend ETFARCX:HIDV74.31USD14,674,1670.45Mar 28, 2023
ALPS ETF Trust ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETFARCX:RDOG37.76USD14,275,5610.35May 07, 2008
Amplify ETF Trust Amplify Natural Resources Dividend Income ETFARCX:NDIV29.75USD14,113,3000.59Aug 24, 2022
Western Asset Short Duration Income ETFXNAS:WINC24.09USD13,238,0510.29Feb 08, 2019
ETRACS Monthly Pay 2xLeveraged US High Dividend Low Volatility ETN Series B due September 30, 2044ARCX:HDLB13.59USD13,005,9001.65Oct 30, 2019
Nuveen Dividend Growth ETFARCX:NDVG33.71USD10,764,4780.65Aug 05, 2021
Siren DIVCON Dividend Defender ETFBATS:DFND43.70USD9,545,2811.63Jan 20, 2016
Virtus WMC International Dividend ETFBATS:VWID27.50USD9,395,1570.49Oct 12, 2017
Global X MSCI SuperDividend EAFE ETFXNAS:EFAS14.41USD8,720,0000.56Nov 14, 2016
ProShares MSCI Emerging Markets Dividend Growers ETFBATS:EMDV42.74USD8,173,5220.60Jan 27, 2016
Litman Gregory Funds Trust IMGP Berkshire Dividend Growth ETFARCX:BDVG11.82USD7,479,0000.55Jun 30, 2023
ProShares Russell US Dividend Growers ETFBATS:TMDV47.51USD7,204,0780.35Nov 07, 2019
ProShares MSCI Europe Dividend Growers ETFBATS:EUDV48.35USD6,563,1740.55Sep 11, 2015
ETF Series Solutions U.S. Global Sea to Sky Cargo ETFARCX:SEA12.37USD6,552,0000.60Jan 20, 2022
USCF ETF Trust USCF Dividend Income FundARCX:UDI30.00USD6,027,3100.65Jun 08, 2022
SmartETFs Asia Pacific Dividend Builder ETFARCX:ADIV15.66USD3,322,7980.78Mar 29, 2021
Matthews International Funds Matthews Asia Dividend Active ETFARCX:ADVE32.06USD1,606,6000.79Sep 18, 2014
J.P. Morgan Exchange-Traded Fund Trust JPMorgan Dividend Leaders ETFXNYS:JDIVUSD
BetaShares Legg Mason Equity IncomeXASX:EINCAUD
Columbia International Equity Income ETFARCX:INEQ30.73USD
ALPS OShares Europe Quality Dividend ETFBATS:OEUR29.25USD
NEOS ETF Trust NEOS Nasdaq-100 Hedged Equity Income ETFARCX:NUSI26.45USD