High Dividend ETFs Are Beating the S&P 500 by 9 Points in 2026 and These 3 Pay Up to 4 Percent While Doing It

Dividend investing spent most of the last decade trailing growth. That has reversed in 2026.

24/7 Wall Street • Aug 16, 2026

FDL: Dividend ETF That Keeps Buying The Losing Sector

The First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund ETF is rated a hold due to its defensive positioning but structural flaws in its yield-focused strategy. FDL recently outperformed SPY, aided by energy sector exposure, yet its lack of technology holdings poses long-term underperformance risk as tech drives index gains. The fund's quarterly rebalancing and yield prioritization lead to rotating out of outperforming sectors, increasing reliance on mean reversion for capital appreciation.

Seeking Alpha • Aug 15, 2026

Should First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders ETF (FDL) Be on Your Investing Radar?

Launched on March 9, 2006, the First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders ETF (FDL) is a passively managed exchange traded fund designed to provide a broad exposure to the Large Cap Value segment of the US equity market.

Zacks Investment Research • Aug 5, 2026

Comcast's Spinoff Ripples Through Sector & Dividend ETFs

Comcast Corp. (CMCSA) sent shockwaves through the media landscape with the announcement that it would spin off its media business today. The telecommunications giant will divest its traditional cable television networks, namely NBCUniversal and Sky, into a standalone, publicly traded company.

ETF Trends • Jun 29, 2026

An ETF Retirement Portfolio for Moderate-Risk Investors

Building a retirement portfolio in today's market? Here's a balanced ETF mix featuring dividends, short-term bonds, global stocks and commodities.

Zacks Investment Research • Jun 11, 2026

FDL: Insufficient Quality Matters For First Trust's $7.4B Dividend Leaders ETF

First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index ETF offers high yield but lacks compelling quality and growth potential versus peers. FDL's methodology focuses on top 100 dividend yielders with basic quality screens, excluding REITs and capping individual weights. Recent index changes and corporate actions reduced FDL's holdings to 85, but reconstitution should restore the count to 100.

Seeking Alpha • Jun 1, 2026

FDL: Regular Dividends And Relative Value (Reaffirming Buy)

First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund offers a 3.87% SEC yield, targeting large-cap, established dividend payers with moderate valuation multiples. FDL's value-oriented sector allocation contrasts sharply with the tech-heavy S&P 500, positioning it for potential mean reversion and defensive income. Despite underperforming the S&P 500 over the past decade, FDL's yield and sector mix make it attractive in times of elevated market valuations and sector imbalances.

Seeking Alpha • May 30, 2026

Guide to High-Dividend Paying ETFs

High-dividend ETFs are back in focus as geopolitical risks and AI valuation worries push investors toward steady income plays.

Zacks Investment Research • May 29, 2026

Time for Quality & Value ETFs?

Rising bond yields and inflation fears are raising correction risks. Investors may find shelter in quality and value ETFs like QUAL, VTV and VLUE.

Zacks Investment Research • May 21, 2026

This Dividend ETF Is Up 12% in 2026 and Still Paying Retirees Well, but With a Catch

First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund (NYSEARCA: FDL) is up 12.3% year-to-date, moving from about $44 to nearly $50.

24/7 Wall Street • Apr 14, 2026