Looking to target income in a portfolio, but you'd also like to participate in any growth potential and aim for diversification? You might consider dividend ETFs. Here's why.
Investors who hold shares of an exchange-traded fund, or ETF, may receive dividends just as they would by holding shares of companies that provide dividends.
ETF dividends can provide a source of income, which can be attractive for investors in their retirement years. ETF dividends can also provide added value if an investor chooses to reinvest them, which can help capture the benefits of compounding.
ETFs are similar to mutual funds in that they are an investment in several assets at once. They often track an index. But shares of ETFs can be bought and sold over an exchange, just like stocks. Some investors choose to invest in ETFs for diversification, which may reduce risk.
An ETF can pay dividends if it owns dividend-paying stocks. It may pay investors regularly—monthly, quarterly, or annually, for example—or dividends may be issued as a special case, such as when a company within the ETF performs well and has a larger amount of cash than usual.
When you reinvest your dividends, you use the cash to buy additional shares in the ETF, increasing your stake. You can do this manually or by using a dividend reinvestment plan (DRIP) that does it automatically. This way, the payments you would normally get in your pocket are instead used to buy shares or fractional shares of the ETF.
Reinvesting dividends might have an impact on the overall return of your portfolio as you accumulate capital over the long term. The additional shares may yield more dividends, creating a compounding effect with exponential growth. Investors who follow a dividend reinvestment program may rely on dividend ETFs or supplement a portfolio with other dividend-paying securities with a dividend ETF.
To enroll in a dividend reinvestment program through TD Ameritrade, call 800-699-3900 or visit a TD Ameritrade branch. There are no service fees or commissions to participate in a DRIP through TD Ameritrade. For more on DRIPs, watch the video at the bottom of the page.
If you receive dividends of more than $10 in a year, the ETF must report the amount to the IRS. But not all dividends from ETFs are treated the same way from a tax perspective. Some are qualified dividends, which means they are subject to tax at the capital gains rate, and others are nonqualified and are taxed at ordinary rates.
The difference between qualified and nonqualified is typically the amount of time an ETF holds an underlying stock or the amount of time a dividend ETF shareholder holds a share of the fund.
Qualified dividends: Paid on stocks held by the ETF for more than 60 days in the 121-day period that starts 60 days before the ex-dividend date (the day before the company declares a dividend).
Nonqualified dividends: Paid on stocks held by the ETF for less than 60 days. Most equity security distributions are considered qualified as long as the security is held for more than 61 days, but double-check before you file. Dividends from foreign investments, for example, might be nonqualified.
Most likely, you’ll receive a 1099-DIV from your broker or other investment provider that shows the breakdown between qualified and non-qualified dividends. And remember, even automatically reinvested dividends may be taxable.
If you’re receiving significant dividends, you might need to pay taxes on them quarterly. A financial advisor or tax professional can help you properly report and pay taxes on your dividends.
TD Ameritrade does not provide tax advice. We suggest you consult with a tax-planning professional with regard to your personal circumstances.
Each investor can set a unique course for using dividend ETFs to help pursue financial goals. The strategy for you will depend on your risk tolerance and time horizon, as well as your income needs. I
Like stocks, dividend ETFs can vary significantly. Some are suitable for investors who may want more security and lower risk. Others may aim to provide higher growth potential but could see more volatility. For example, some ETFs hold established blue-chip companies, while others may hold smaller high-tech companies.
Need help whittling it down? The TD Ameritrade screener tool allows clients to select among dividend criteria such as distribution yield and 12-month dividend totals. Log in to your account at tdameritrade.com and go to Research & Ideas > Screeners > ETFs > Dividends.
If you choose to invest in a dividend ETF, whether for income or reinvesting, check with your financial institution or brokerage firm to learn about any possible associated fees or costs.
Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information
Content intended for educational/informational purposes only. Not investment advice, or a recommendation of any security, strategy, or account type.
Be sure to understand all risks involved with each strategy, including commission costs, before attempting to place any trade. Clients must consider all relevant risk factors, including their own personal financial situations, before trading.
Carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses before investing. A prospectus, obtained by calling 800-669-3900, contains this and other important information about an investment company. Read carefully before investing.
*ETFs purchased commission-free that are available on the TD Ameritrade ETF Market Center are available generally without commissions when placed online in a TD Ameritrade account. Other fees may apply for trade orders placed through a broker or by automated phone.
ETFs are subject to risk similar to those of their underlying securities, including, but not limited to, market, investment, sector, or industry risks, and those regarding short-selling and margin account maintenance. Some ETFs may involve international risk, currency risk, commodity risk, leverage risk, credit risk, and interest rate risk. Performance may be affected by risks associated with nondiversification, including investments in specific countries or sectors. Additional risks may also include, but are not limited to, investments in foreign securities, especially emerging markets, real estate investment trusts (REITs), fixed income, small-capitalization securities, and commodities. Each individual investor should consider these risks carefully before investing in a particular security or strategy. Investment returns will fluctuate and are subject to market volatility, so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed or sold, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Unlike mutual funds, shares of ETFs are not individually redeemable directly with the ETF. Shares are bought and sold at market price, which may be higher or lower than the net asset value (NAV).
Information provided by TD Ameritrade, including without limitation that related to the ETF Market Center and commission-free ETFs, is for general educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered a recommendation or investment advice.
Particular commission-free ETFs may not be appropriate investments for all investors, and there may be other ETFs or investment options available at TD Ameritrade that are more suitable.
ETFs purchased commission-free that are available on the TD Ameritrade ETF Market Center are available generally without commissions when placed online in a TD Ameritrade account. Other fees may apply for trade orders placed through a broker or by automated phone.
TD Ameritrade receives remuneration from ETFs that participate in the commission-free ETF program for shareholder, administrative and/or other services.
No Margin for 30 Days. Certain ETFs purchased commission free that are available on the TD Ameritrade ETF Market Center will not be immediately marginable at TD Ameritrade through the first 30 days from settlement. For the purposes of calculation the day of settlement is considered Day 1.
Short-Term Trading Fee (Holding Period for 30 Days). ETFs available commission-free that participate in the ETF Market Center may be subject to a holding period that commences with any purchase and extends through the following THIRTY (30) calendar days. An account owner must hold all shares of an ETF position purchased for a minimum of THIRTY (30) calendar days without selling to avoid a short–term trading fee where applicable. There is no limit to the number of purchases that can be effected in the holding period. Any order to sell within THIRTY (30) calendar days of last purchase (LIFO – Last In, First Out) will cause an account owner’s account to be assessed a short–term trading fee of $13.90 where applicable. For the purposes of calculation the day of purchase is considered Day 0. Day 1 begins the day after the date of purchase. The short–term trading fee may be applicable to each purchase of each ETF where such ETF is sold during the holding period. The short–term trading fee may be more than applicable standard commissions on purchases and sells of ETFs that are not commission-free.
Market volatility, volume, and system availability may delay account access and trade executions.
Past performance of a security or strategy does not guarantee future results or success.
Options are not suitable for all investors as the special risks inherent to options trading may expose investors to potentially rapid and substantial losses. Options trading subject to TD Ameritrade review and approval. Please read Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options before investing in options.
Supporting documentation for any claims, comparisons, statistics, or other technical data will be supplied upon request.
This is not an offer or solicitation in any jurisdiction where we are not authorized to do business or where such offer or solicitation would be contrary to the local laws and regulations of that jurisdiction, including, but not limited to persons residing in Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, UK, and the countries of the European Union.
TD Ameritrade, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC, a subsidiary of The Charles Schwab Corporation. © 2024 Charles Schwab & Co. Inc. All rights reserved.