NOBL has some dividend growth counterparts addressing other market caps and regions, including the ProShares Russell 2000 Dividend Growers ETF (BATS: SMDV), ProShares S&P MidCap 400 Dividend Aristocrats ETF (BATS: REGL) and the ProShares MSCI Emerging Markets Dividend Growers ETF (BATS: EMDV).
The ProShares Russell 2000 Dividend Growers ETF, a dividend spin on the Russell 2000, the benchmark U.S. small-cap index, tracks the Russell 2000 Dividend Growth Index. That index includes small-cap firms with dividend increase streaks of at least a decade. Index constituents are screened for liquidity and dividend status, then selected and equal weighted subject to a maximum sector weight of 30%.
Data indicate there is good reason to bet dividend growth stocks and the ETFs that hold those shares. From 1972 through 2012 companies that initiated or consistently raised dividends outperformed and were less volatile than the companies either did not pay, cut or kept dividends stagnant, according to Ned Davis Research.
For more information on dividend stocks, visit our dividend ETFs category.