It has been a rocky start to the year for many major indexes and big-name stocks. It’s not the best feeling, but it reaffirms why investing in dividend stocks can be so effective: You’re rewarded for simply holding a stock, regardless of how the price moves.
Dividend stocks aren’t immune to volatility or slumps, but their payouts act as a natural hedge and provide passive income. If you’re looking for passive income (that’s always a good choice), consider one of the most popular dividend exchange-traded funds (ETFs) on the market: the Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD +0.16%). It remains a great, reliable choice.
Image source: The Motley Fool.
Doing some of the legwork for you
With many stocks down through the first three months of the year, you’ll notice some dividend yields look much more attractive. A high yield is good, yes, but only when it’s due to a high payout and is sustainable. It’s not always obvious if that’s the case, but one benefit of this Schwab ETF is that the criteria companies must meet to be eligible for inclusion in the index that it mirrors (the Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index).
The Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF looks at a company’s five-year dividend growth, return on equity, cash flow to debt, and dividend yield. That isn’t to say some yield traps can’t fall through the cracks, but it’s a built-in vetting process that reduces the chances of it happening.
This fund looks a bit different now than before
When this Schwab ETF did its annual reconstitution (the changing of holdings) recently, it removed 22 stocks and added 25. Notable removals included AbbVie, Cisco Systems, and Valero; notable additions included UnitedHealth Group, Procter & Gamble, and Abbott Laboratories.
After the reconstitution, the sector exposure changed noticeably. Health care and tech increased by 3.6% and 3.4%, respectively. Energy and materials exposure decreased by 7.1% and 3%, respectively.
Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF
Today’s Change
(0.16%) $0.05
Current Price
$30.56
Key Data Points
Day’s Range
$30.38 – $30.64
52wk Range
$23.87 – $31.95
Volume
21M
The decrease in energy stocks is notable because the sector has been the best performer over the first three months of the year, largely due to the Middle East conflict, which has driven up oil prices. Any changes in the situation could flip the script, so it makes sense to limit exposure to those stocks, especially after the impressive run at the beginning of the year.
A consistent dividend you can depend on
As of market close on April 1, the ETF’s dividend yield was close to 3.5%, slightly below its 3.6% average over the past three years. Its current yield is more than three times the S&P 500 average, and its average yield over the past three years is more than 2.5 times the S&P average.
Data by YCharts.
It might not be the ultra-high yield you can receive from some individual stocks, but when it comes to consistent, growing passive income from a dividend ETF, it’s hard to beat it. And you don’t have to second-guess its stability; it’s as dependable as it comes.
Stefon Walters has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends AbbVie, Abbott Laboratories, and Cisco Systems. The Motley Fool recommends UnitedHealth Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
