“The way the VIG index is structured creates a fund with more defensive allocations. The criteria for raising dividends over the last 10 years are eliminating funds that were unable to continue raising dividends during the last recession. It would be a mistake to believe that the potential recession coming up bears any substantial resemblance to the last one. The causes are entirely different and we don’t even know if the recession will come to pass,” according to a Seeking Alpha analysis of VIG. http://seekingalpha.com/article/3899156-vig-thoroughly-beat-market-early-2016
However, some strategists warn that these same dividend aristocrats may find it harder to continue their dividend growth themes, especially in the energy and materials space where companies are under pressure from the plunge in commodity prices. [Energy ETFs Watch]
Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF
