VanEck BDC Income ETF

BIZD

Market cap $1.63B

BDCs play an essential role in financing middle-market companies across America; they also earn interest rates averaging over 2% higher than typical high-yield corporate bonds. Putnam BDC Income ETF (PBDC) has outperformed VanEck BDC Income ETF (BIZD) since its 2022 inception, driven by active management and higher yields. PBDC's portfolio is almost entirely invested in BDCs, yielding 10.9%, while BIZD's portfolio holds 34% T-Bills, dragging the yield down to 8.57%.

Maintaining adequate diversification is extremely important. However, unless you have simplifying anchors for a portfolio, it can be very easy to lose proper diversification. I share a portfolio strategy - along with specific picks - that can deliver a diversification, low-stress portfolio that generates very attractive income and dividend growth.

The VanEck BDC Income ETF (NYSEARCA:BIZD) just delivered a jolt to income investors: its July distribution came in at $0.24 per share, roughly half the $0.48 paid in April.

Retirement income requires more than just high yield. REIT funds may not be the best solution. A balanced REIT portfolio can offer income and growth.

Where do things stand with banks, brokers, insurers, and specialty lenders heading into next week's Q2 reports? The MoneyShow Chart of the Day shows how four different sector ETFs have performed year-to-date: the State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund, State Street SPDR S&P Regional Banking ETF, VanEck BDC Income ETF, and iShares US Broker-Dealers ETF. There's a wide dispersion of returns. Regional banks are leading with a gain of 12.4%, while Business Development Companies that lend to riskier or smaller companies are lagging with a loss of around 15%.

The BDC sector trades at a deep 0.71x P/NAV, reflecting bearish sentiment despite stable credit fundamentals. The market is focused on a credit risk (or rising non-accruals). In my view, the bigger risk lies in the income side.

Business Development Companies (BDCs), such as BIZD, offer high yields but carry elevated risk due to their lending to less stable small and medium businesses. Rising economic uncertainty and recent inflation spikes have increased the risk profile for BDCs, making their borrowers more vulnerable. Many BDCs have underperformed recently, resulting in even higher dividend yields and steep discounts, but these may not offset the underlying risks.

Dividend investing may seem simple in theory, but there are many pitfalls that investors fall into along the journey. I share perhaps the biggest mistake that many dividend investors are making in the current market environment. I share how to avoid it, along with some areas of the market I am finding a lot of attractive opportunities right now.

BDC sector valuations have dropped to a median P/NAV of 0.71x, near pandemic lows. Market pessimism around BDCs has created attractive buy-the-dip opportunities for long-term, risk-tolerant investors. Despite broad sector discounts, some high-quality BDCs face justified sell-offs and should be avoided even at lower prices.

10%+ yielding dividend stocks are often plagued with serious issues. However, every so often, market sentiment creates a golden buying opportunity. I detail two opportunities that have sold off recently that have strong underlying fundamentals and sustainable 10%+ dividend yields.