The utilities sector has also been outperforming the broader S&P 500 as yields on benchmark 10-year Treasuries dipped to 2.27%. Over the past month, XLU rose 4.0%, IDU gained 3.7% and VPU increased 3.5% while the S&P 500 advanced 2.6%.
Moreover, for broad real estate investment trust exposure, the Vanguard REIT ETF (NYSEArca: VNQ) has a 4.07% 12-month yield, SPDR Dow Jones REIT ETF (NYSEArca: RWR) has a 3.34% 12-month yield and iShares Dow Jones US Real Estate Index Fund (NYSEArca: IYR) has a 3.86% 12-month yield. [REIT ETFs Could Rebound from Here]
Investors can also consider high-yield, mortgage-backed REITs, which are more sensitive to changes in interest rates. The Market Vectors Mortgage REIT Income ETF (NYSEArca: MORT) has a 10.49% 12-month yield and the iShares Mortgage Real Estate Capped ETF (NYSEArca: REM) has a 14.29% 12-month yield.
For more information on dividend stocks, visit our dividend ETFs category.
Max Chen contributed to this article.