The Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF holds 100 high-quality dividend stocks.
It holds stocks based on several dividend quality characteristics, including yield and dividend growth rate.
The fund pays a high-yielding and steadily rising dividend.
The Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (NYSEMKT: SCHD) is one of the largest dividend-focused exchange-traded funds (ETFs). It has become a magnet for income-focused investors, in part due to its attractive dividend yield.
Here's a look at how many shares of this top ETF you'd need to buy to collect $500 of dividend income each year.
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The Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF tracks an index that screens for the best dividend stocks based on several dividend quality characteristics, including dividend yield and the five-year dividend growth rate. The fund holds 100 companies that pay high-yielding and steadily rising dividends.
The ETF collects dividend payments from its holdings and distributes the income to investors on a quarterly basis. It has paid out a cumulative $1.03 per share in dividends over the past 12 months, giving it a 3.8% annualized distribution yield at the current share price.
At that rate, you would need to own roughly 485 shares to generate $500 of annual dividend income. Those shares would cost you over $13,225 at the recent share price of around $27.25. That's a much lower investment level compared to what you'd need to invest in a fund with a lower yield. For example, you'd have to invest over $43,110 in an S&P 500 index fund to generate $500 of dividend income, given its currently low yield of less than 1.2%.
The Schwab U.S. Dividend Income ETF's income stream should steadily rise as the companies held by the fund increase their payments. Its current holdings have grown their dividends at a more than 8% annual rate over the past five years.
The fund's combination of a high current yield and solid dividend growth profile makes it an excellent one to buy and hold for income.
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Matt DiLallo has positions in Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.