How do ETF distributions work?
ETF issuers collect any dividends paid by the companies whose stocks are held in the fund, and they then pay those dividends to their shareholders. They may pay the money directly to the shareholders, or reinvest it in the fund.
What is a distributing ETF? In contrast to accumulating ETFs, distributing ETFs pay out dividends to investors. This means that you receive cash flow and can use the money received however you choose.
Thankfully, there are some stock ETFs that do pay dividends on a monthly basis. They're definitely in the minority, but there are enough where you can actually build a pretty diversified portfolio using just monthly pay stock ETFs. Whether stock ETFs pay monthly dividends usually comes down to the issuer.
Types of dividends
Moreover, the investor must own the shares in the ETF paying the dividend for more than 60 days during the 121-day period that begins 60 days before the ex-dividend date. This means if you actively trade ETFs, you probably can't meet this holding requirement.
Automatic dividend reinvestment plans (DRIPs) directly from the fund sponsor aren't yet available on all ETFs although most brokerages will allow you to set up a DRIP for any ETF that pays dividends. This can be a smart idea because there's often a longer settlement time required by ETFs.
ETF issuers collect any dividends paid by the companies whose stocks are held in the fund, and they then pay those dividends to their shareholders. They may pay the money directly to the shareholders, or reinvest it in the fund.
- Interest distributions if the ETF invests in bonds.
- Dividend. + read full definition distributions if the ETF invests in stocks that pay dividends.
- Capital gains distributions if the ETF sells an investment. + read full definition for more than it paid.
It's possible to live off the income from high-dividend ETFs, but it may take some planning. You can find high-dividend ETFs by analyzing the ETF selection in your brokerage account.
Dividends and interest payments from ETFs are taxed similarly to income from the underlying stocks or bonds inside them. For U.S. taxpayers, this income needs to be reported on form 1099-DIV. 2 If you earn a profit by selling an ETF, they are taxed like the underlying stocks or bonds as well.
| Symbol | Name | Dividend Yield |
|---|---|---|
| TUGN | STF Tactical Growth & Income ETF | 12.10% |
| PEX | ProShares Global Listed Private Equity ETF | 12.09% |
| QYLD | Global X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF | 12.03% |
| SDIV | Global X SuperDividend ETF | 11.95% |
Which ETF pays highest dividend?
- Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF (VYMI) ...
- Invesco S&P 500 High Dividend Low Volatility ETF (SPHD) ...
- WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Fund (DES) ...
- FCF International Quality ETF (TTAI) ...
- Invesco High Yield Equity Dividend Achievers ETF (PEY)
For ETFs held more than a year, you'll owe long-term capital gains taxes at a rate up to 23.8%, once you include the 3.8% Net Investment Income Tax (NIIT) on high earners. If you hold the ETF for less than a year, you'll be taxed at the ordinary income rate.
| Dividend ETF | Assets under management | Expense ratio |
|---|---|---|
| Vanguard High Dividend Yield Index ETF (VYM) | $55 billion | 0.06% |
| Vanguard Real Estate ETF (VNQ) | $34 billion | 0.12% |
| iShares International Select Dividend ETF (IDV) | $4.2 billion | 0.51% |
| Global X SuperDividend ETF (SDIV) | $760 million | 0.58% |
Reinvested dividends may be treated in different ways, however. Qualified dividends get taxed as capital gains, while non-qualified dividends get taxed as ordinary income. You can avoid paying taxes on reinvested dividends in the year you earn them by holding dividend stocks in a tax-deferred retirement plan.
Many financial experts recommend that you reinvest dividends most of the time – and I'm inclined to agree. The process is typically automated, doesn't incur any fees and gives your holdings a little (or a lot) of extra oomph.
How Do You Pay Taxes on a Fund That Reinvests Dividends? Dividends are taxable regardless of whether you take them in cash or reinvest them in the mutual fund that pays them out.
ETFs are bought and sold just like stocks (through a brokerage house, either by phone or online), and their price can change from second to second. Mutual fund orders can be made during the day, but the actual trade doesn't occur until after the markets close.
A premium passive income producer
Its primary goal is to deliver monthly income and equity market exposure with less volatility than the broader stock market. The ETF has certainly lived up to its name over the past year, delivering premium income compared to other yield-focused asset classes.
Key Takeaways
Introduced in the U.S. in 1993, ETFs have become one of the most popular investment choices for investors. ETFs may close due to lack of investor interest or poor returns. For investors, the easiest way to exit an ETF investment is to sell it on the open market.
If you're looking for an easy solution to investing, ETFs can be an excellent choice. ETFs typically offer a diversified allocation to whatever you're investing in (stocks, bonds or both). You want to beat most investors, even the pros, with little effort.
When you buy an ETF where does the money go?
An exchange-traded fund, or ETF, allows investors to buy many stocks or bonds at once. Investors buy shares of ETFs, and the money is used to invest according to a certain objective. For example, if you buy an S&P 500 ETF, your money will be invested in the 500 companies in that index.
The holding period starts on the day after your purchase order is executed (“trade date”) and ends on the day of your sell order (also the “trade date”).
To generate $5,000 per month in dividends, you would need a portfolio value of approximately $1 million invested in stocks with an average dividend yield of 5%. For example, Johnson & Johnson stock currently yields 2.7% annually. $1 million invested would generate about $27,000 per year or $2,250 per month.
If, for example, your portfolio gets to a value of $1.5 million, you could invest in a fund or multiple investments that yield an average of 3.3%. At that rate, you could generate $50,000 in annual dividends. With a lower portfolio balance of $1 million, you would need to target an average yield of 5%.
Stocks in the S&P 500 index currently yield about 1.5% on aggregate. That means, if you have $1 million invested in a mutual fund or exchange-traded fund that tracks the index, you could expect annual dividend income of about $15,000.
