Franklin U.S. Dividend Booster Index ETF

XUDV

Market cap $66.7M

The Franklin U.S. Dividend Booster Index ETF (XUDV) has emerged as one of the stronger-performing dividend ETFs in 2026, benefiting from a mix of income-focused positioning and selective exposure to AI infrastructure-related growth stocks. According to YCharts, XUDV is up more than 15.

The VettaFi New Frontier U.S. Dividend Select Index (NFUS) delivered a mixed performance in March, as strong gains in energy and materials stocks were offset by weakness in several high-weight constituents. The index — tracked by the Franklin International Dividend Booster Index ETF (XUDV) through a full replication strategy — declined approximately 2.

Key Takeaways While index-based ETFs are often viewed as buy-and-hold vehicles, quarterly rebalancing ensures these portfolios undergo a strategic facelift to remain aligned with evolving market leadership and current economic realities. Quarterly rebalancing for thematic indexes captured a shift in the international exposure.

Key Takeaways The Franklin U.S. Dividend Booster Index ETF (XUDV) updated its portfolio as of March 24, 2026, rotating 13 names within its underlying index. The fund added several semiconductor and hardware names, including Micron Technology (MU) and Western Digital Corp (WDC), despite maintaining an overall underweight to Information Technology.

In the early innings of 2026, dividend exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are offering a rarified combo of performance as well as income. This places a spotlight on and the Franklin U.S. Dividend Booster Index ETF (XUDV) and the Franklin International Dividend Booster Index ETF (XIDV), which have both been strong performers to start the year.

Strong performance and dividend yields amid volatility — typically, an investor may need to sacrifice one in order to maximize the other. However, the Franklin U.S. Dividend Booster Index ETF (XUDV) is proving otherwise.

The ETF universe continued to expand in 2025, with a growing number of high-income products incorporating options strategies to enhance payouts. However, for many investors and advisors, traditional ETFs that own dividend-paying stocks remain a core component of a well-rounded portfolio.

A dividend ETF can add both income and stability to a portfolio and serve as a complement alongside active and passive strategies. VettaFi Head of Sector & Industry Research, Roxanna Islam, recently moderated a webcast that highlighted this concept and featured Franklin Templeton's VP, Head of U.S.

For many of us, ETFs have been synonymous with passive management. Since the early 1990s, ETFs have followed in the footsteps of the most well-known passive ETF — the S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY).

Market uncertainty has been the big story since the arrival of tariffs. But even entering 2025, ETF investors faced big challenges.