Franklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF

LVHI

Market cap $3.94B

The Franklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF is a passive ETF that tracks an index built on an optimized hybrid multi-factor strategy. LVHI has managed to maintain a competitive risk grade without losing excessive total return. This makes it very competitive, not relative to the S&P 500, but to the aggregated ex-U.S. market, even compared to other factor ETFs.

Franklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF earns a strong buy rating for its superior risk-adjusted returns and defensive global exposure. LVHI offers high income (5.01% yield), low volatility, and strong capital preservation, outperforming IDEV in drawdowns and Sharpe ratios over 3- and 5-year periods. The fund's concentrated, currency-hedged portfolio targets stable, mature markets and defensive sectors, with high turnover to maintain low risk and high yield.

These dividend exchange-traded funds have all you can ask for. You can use the first one as a core holding and selectively pick out the satellites.

On this episode of the ETF of the Week podcast, VettaFi's Head of Research Todd Rosenbluth discussed the Franklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF (LVHI) with Chuck Jaffe of Money Life. The pair discussed several topics related to the fund to give investors a deeper understanding of the ETF overall.

LVHI offers a unique mix of high dividend yield, low volatility, and full currency hedging for developed market equities, distinguishing itself from most international value ETFs. The fund's exposure limits and volatility screens promote diversification and stability but may result in higher turnover and capping top-performing stocks. Currency hedging reduces volatility, but eliminates FX diversification; LVHI outperformed peers during USD strength, but lagged when the dollar weakened in 2025.

VettaFi's Head of Research Todd Rosenbluth discussed the Franklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF (LVHI) on this week's “ETF of the Week” podcast with Chuck Jaffe of “Money Life.” For more news, information, and analysis, visit VettaFi | ETF Trends.

Market turbulence has become a hallmark of today's investing landscape. Against the shifting sands of monetary policy and elevated macro uncertainty, investors are increasingly seeking strategies that offer stability without sacrificing long-term returns.

Franklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF offers strong international diversification, low volatility, and a stable 4-5% dividend yield, making it attractive for defensive income-focused investors. The ETF's robust diversification caps holdings, sectors, and regions, reducing concentration risk and enhancing portfolio stability. LVHI's NAV has grown at a 3.5% CAGR since inception, indicating healthy capital preservation alongside income generation.

The fund's strategy focuses on generating income through global securities, with a current dividend yield of approximately 5%. LVHI has been able to provide resilience and better capital preservation during US market declines. Despite some weaknesses related to the dividend growth, the fund's consistent payouts make it an appealing option for income-focused investors.

I track about a thousand funds using Mutual Fund Observer and have developed a ranking system to group equity funds into four categories based on risk, valuation, and/or yield. Tier One contains the Lipper Categories and funds that have a combination of lower risk, lower valuations, and higher yields. Tier Two contains those with low to moderate valuations and have lower risk.