iShares Core High Dividend ETF

HDV

Market cap $11.6B

Making its debut on 03/29/2011, smart beta exchange traded fund iShares Core High Dividend ETF (HDV) provides investors broad exposure to the Style Box - Large Cap Value category of the market.

iShares Core High Dividend ETF (HDV) is downgraded to Hold due to underperformance driven by heavy energy and healthcare sector exposure. HDV's high dividend yield is offset by sluggish price momentum and weak earnings growth in key sectors, limiting its upside in tech-driven markets. iShares Core Dividend ETF (DIVB) is maintained as a Buy, offering strong capital appreciation, higher dividend growth, and better sector diversification.

Generating passive income is a way to make your money work for you, with little effort.

Sometimes, choosing the "best" stock or exchange-traded fund comes down to a matter of taste. Because they come in all sorts of colors and flavors, and there's really something there for every palate.

I highlight 10 large-cap stocks with high dividend yields, attractive valuations, and strong profitability, making them compelling picks for income-focused investors. Shell, TotalEnergies, and Verizon stand out for their combination of above-average yields, low payout ratios, and valuations below sector medians, supporting sustainable dividends. Diageo, Zurich Insurance, and BB Seguridade Participações offer robust dividend growth histories, blending income with long-term compounding potential for dividend growth investors.

Given heightened economic uncertainty, I am leaning more defensive and sticking with my dividend growth investing strategy, emphasizing diversification and income stability. The frozen housing market, soft labor conditions, and stagnating consumer spending signal potential economic weakness, despite optimism in select sectors like tech. My ETF portfolio review shows shifting leadership, with midstream energy outperforming previously, but preferreds and tech-focused ETFs now leading as trends evolve.

Launched on March 29, 2011, the iShares Core High Dividend ETF (HDV) is a passively managed exchange traded fund designed to provide a broad exposure to the Large Cap Value segment of the US equity market.

Tech sector capital investment is surging, but enterprise AI adoption is showing disappointing returns, with 95% seeing zero ROI per an MIT study. This disconnect raises concerns about who will ultimately pay for the ongoing AI investment if enterprise customers remain slow to realize benefits. Recent underperformance in growth tech stocks reflects these doubts, while value-oriented dividend stocks have demonstrated resilience and defensiveness.

Some of its 126 holdings include Progressive Corp.

I focus on dividend stocks with sustainable payouts to maximize risk-adjusted returns and avoid dividend cuts. My August 2025 picks—like Deutsche Post, Altria, Verizon, and PepsiCo—offer attractive yields, strong financials, and potential for dividend growth. I blend high-yield and dividend growth stocks, balancing income and long-term growth for a resilient, diversified dividend portfolio.