Due in part to a spate of negative dividend actions in the energy and materials sectors, S&P 500 dividend growth, though still expected to remain solid, is also expected to slow in 2016. As economic growth slows and observers downgrade earnings forecasts, company cash payouts, along with stock buybacks, have also lessened.
Knowing that slower dividend growth could be the new normal this year means dividend investors should emphasize the exchange traded funds that hold companies that have previously displayed the ability to boost payouts during myriad market environments.
Markets are turbulent some market observers believe the selling is overdone. For those who believe in a market rebound but are still wary of potential turns, look to steady dividend-paying stock exchange traded funds. However, investors can also turn to mid-caps for dependable income and the ProShares S&P MidCap 400 Dividend Aristocrats ETF (BATS: REGL) is one way to access mid-cap dividend consistency.
Like the ProShares S&P 500 Aristocrats ETF (NYSEArca: NOBL), the ProShares S&P MidCap 400 Dividend Aristocrats ETF tracks a dividend aristocrats index. The midcap dividend aristocrats index requires 15 consecutive years of increased dividends for inclusion whereas NOBL’s underlying index requires a minimum dividend increase streak of 25 years. [Portfolio Building With Dividend Growth ETFs]