ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF

IDOG

Market cap $394M

A smart beta exchange traded fund, the ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF (IDOG) debuted on 06/28/2013, and offers broad exposure to the Foreign Large Value ETF category of the market.

International ETF investing has been a key theme so far in 2025, boosting portfolios significantly for numerous investors. Already, on a YTD basis, numerous such strategies have outperformed key domestic funds, offering diversification alongside those returns.

I rate IDOG a buy: the Dogs of the Dow strategy is a proven risk-adjusted outperformance and high dividend yield. IDOG offers superior long-term returns and Sharpe ratios versus ACWX, though it comes with higher concentration and liquidity risks, making it best for long-term investors. ACWX provides broader diversification and emerging market exposure, but its higher valuation and lower yield make it less attractive in the current macro environment.

If the first half of 2025 had a story to tell in ETF land, it may well be the performance of international equities. Non-U.S. stocks and ETFs performed well amid serious tariff concerns, as many investors sought to diversify their portfolios.

After more than a decade of lackluster performance, established international and emerging markets are growing in popularity. What's driving this, and what could derail this investor enthusiasm?

It's been a strong year for ex-U.S. equities. International equities ETFs have done very well following the spring swoon for U.S. stocks.

The ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF (IDOG) was launched on 06/28/2013, and is a smart beta exchange traded fund designed to offer broad exposure to the Foreign Large Value ETF category of the market.

In 2025, investors face a unique opportunity to pivot from prolonged U.S. market dominance into international developed equities. In that arena, currency, valuation, and policy dynamics are finally harmonizing.

Core U.S. equity and U.S. fixed income ETFs were up 2%-3% year-to-date through mid-June. Such modest performance has led many advisors to look for diversification benefits through other investments.

Dividend ETFs like TDV, TDIV, and GCOW are hitting 52-week highs as market volatility has boosted demand for steady income.