Is it better to buy dividend stocks or ETFs?
Dividend ETFs can be a good option for investors looking for a low-cost, diversified and reliable source of income from their investments. Dividend stocks may be a better option for investors who prefer to choose their own investments.
Investment Costs
Finally, consider the cost of investment. While dividend ETFs and S&P 500 index funds generally offer lower expense ratios than actively managed funds, some dividend ETFs charge slightly higher fees because of the additional research and selection involved in picking dividend-paying stocks.
Despite their storied histories, they cut their dividends. 9 In other words, dividends are not guaranteed and are subject to macroeconomic and company-specific risks. Another downside to dividend-paying stocks is that companies that pay dividends are not usually high-growth leaders.
If you want to generate income that's truly passive, consider dividend investing. While relying on cash payouts from a stock portfolio is a common strategy for those nearing and in retirement, anyone can build an equity income portfolio, says Brian Bollinger, president of Simply Safe Dividends.
Stock-picking offers an advantage over exchange-traded funds (ETFs) when there is a wide dispersion of returns from the mean. Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) offer advantages over stocks when the return from stocks in the sector has a narrow dispersion around the mean.
Over the long term, the S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats exhibited higher returns with lower volatility compared with the S&P 500, resulting in higher risk-adjusted returns. As of 2023, S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats constituents included 66 securities, diversified across 10 sectors (see Exhibit 13 in the Appendix).
If you are looking to create wealth and have a longer time horizon, staying invested in growth will enable you to enjoy longer returns. But if you are looking for a more immediate return and steady cash flow, dividend investing could be the best choice for you.
As part of a diversified portfolio, dividend stocks have their place. They offer relative stability, may pay increasing amounts over time and may provide steady income. But relying too heavily on dividend stocks as a primary investment approach could put you at risk and reduce your long-term investment gains.
What Is a Good Dividend Yield? Yields from 2% to 6% are generally considered to be a good dividend yield, but there are plenty of factors to consider when deciding if a stock's yield makes it a good investment. Your own investment goals should also play a big role in deciding what a good dividend yield is for you.
Ticker | Name | Dividend Yield |
---|---|---|
T | AT&T | 6.72% |
WHR | Whirlpool | 6.69% |
CCI | Crown Castle | 6.58% |
VZ | Verizon | 6.57% |
How to make $500 a month in dividends?
That usually comes in quarterly, semi-annual or annual payments. Shares of public companies that split profits with shareholders by paying cash dividends yield between 2% and 6% a year. With that in mind, putting $250,000 into low-yielding dividend stocks or $83,333 into high-yielding shares will get your $500 a month.
To have a perfect portfolio to generate $1000/month in dividends, one should have at least 30 stocks in at least 10 different sectors. No stock should not be more than 3.33% of your portfolio. If each stock generates around $400 in dividend income per year, 30 of each will generate $12,000 a year or $1000/month.
Can an investor really get rich from dividends? The short answer is “yes”. With a high savings rate, robust investment returns, and a long enough time horizon, this will lead to surprising wealth in the long run.
ETFs are subject to market fluctuation and the risks of their underlying investments. ETFs are subject to management fees and other expenses. Unlike mutual funds, ETF shares are bought and sold at market price, which may be higher or lower than their NAV, and are not individually redeemed from the fund.
Passive, or index, ETFs generally track and aim to outperform a benchmark index. They provide access to many companies or investments in one trade, whereas individual stocks provide exposure to a single firm. As such, ETFs remove single-stock risk, or the risk inherent in being exposed to just one company.
Buying high and selling low
At any given time, the spread on an ETF may be high, and the market price of shares may not correspond to the intraday value of the underlying securities. Those are not good times to transact business.
Dividend Stock | Current Dividend Yield* | Analysts' Implied Upside* |
---|---|---|
Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) | 3.1% | 25.3% |
Merck & Co. Inc. (MRK) | 2.4% | 10.6% |
Chevron Corp. (CVX) | 4% | 30.8% |
Coca-Cola Co. (KO) | 3.3% | 18.1% |
- Verizon Communications VZ.
- Johnson & Johnson JNJ.
- Philip Morris International PM.
- Altria Group MO.
- Comcast CMCSA.
- Medtronic MDT.
- Pioneer Natural Resources PXD.
- Duke Energy DUK.
Company | Dividend Yield |
---|---|
Franklin BSP Realty Trust Inc. (FBRT) | 11.60% |
Angel Oak Mortgage REIT Inc (AOMR) | 11.58% |
Altria Group Inc. (MO) | 9.79% |
Washington Trust Bancorp, Inc. (WASH) | 9.16% |
Living off dividends is a financial strategy that appeals to those aiming for a reliable income stream without tapping into their investment principal. This approach has intrigued many investors, from early-career individuals to those nearing retirement.
At what age should you switch to dividend stocks?
Once you hit your 40s, though, it's a good time to start looking for bargains on great dividend stocks. As you pass through your 40s, you can gradually increase your holdings of high-dividend stocks and cut back on the riskier, more volatile growth investments.
There are a few situations where dividends can be better for investors. When an investor wants incoming cash from investments without selling their assets. The capital gains tax rate is generally higher. But it is lower on a qualified dividend.
Dividend investing can be a great investment strategy. Dividend stocks have historically outperformed the S&P 500 with less volatility. That's because dividend stocks provide two sources of return: regular income from dividend payments and capital appreciation of the stock price.
Dividend ETF | Assets under management | Expense ratio |
---|---|---|
Vanguard High Dividend Yield Index ETF (VYM) | $55 billion | 0.06% |
Vanguard Real Estate ETF (VNQ) | $34 billion | 0.12% |
iShares International Select Dividend ETF (IDV) | $4.2 billion | 0.51% |
Global X SuperDividend ETF (SDIV) | $760 million | 0.58% |
You Can Build a Dividend Portfolio for Regular Income
Hold between 20 and 60 stocks to reduce company-specific risk. Roughly equal-weight each position. Invest no more than 25% of your portfolio in any one sector. Target companies with Safe or Very Safe Dividend Safety Scores™
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