WisdomTree International Quality Dividend Growth Fund

IQDG

Market cap $743M

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.

WisdomTree International Quality Dividend Growth Fund holds 262 international dividend stocks with quality and growth characteristics. IQDG is well-diversified across countries, sectors and holdings, with a focus on Europe. The track record of IQDG is uncompelling: the fund has underperformed an ex-US benchmark and several competitors since 2016.

International equities and the related exchange traded funds have not been immune to the tariff-induced tumble currently affecting global markets. However, some market observers believe fundamental factors at play could bolster the international equity complex later this year.

So far this year, the WisdomTree International High Dividend Fund has delivered relative outperformance in a market environment that has become challenging in light of Trump Administration Tariff discussions. Despite offering a lower yield, the WisdomTree International Quality Dividend Growth Fund continues to seek superior profitability and earnings growth potential, reinforcing its long-term appeal to investors focused on quality and compounding. The stark sector differences between DTH and IQDG, especially in Financials and Information Technology, underscore the importance of understanding what's driving returns beneath the surface and how to consider broad-based international exposures in the current environment.

While the S&P 500 set an impressive pace in the first quarter, gaining 10.4%, some ex-U.S. developed markets benchmarks showed signs of life. For example, the widely followed MSCI EAFE Index gained 6% in the first three months of 2024.

By Alejandro Saltiel, CFA, Head of Indexes, U.S. The WisdomTree International Quality Dividend Growth Index (WTIDG) and the WisdomTree International Hedged Quality Dividend Growth Index (WTIDGH) will have their 10-year anniversary at the end of November.

WisdomTree International Quality Dividend Growth Fund selects ex-North America dividend stocks with quality and expected earnings growth characteristics. The fund is well-diversified across countries, sectors, and holdings, with a focus on Europe. IQDG has outperformed at least four close competitors in 2023 and has the best 5-year dividend growth rate in its group.