A Yield to Caution

Article Excerpt

BMO INTERNATIONAL DIVIDEND ETF $24 (Toronto symbol ZDI; Units outstanding: 21.2 million; Market cap: $508.8 million; Dividend yield: 4.05%; www.bmoetfs.ca) offers exposure to a portfolio of high-yield dividend-paying companies in developed markets. The fund excludes North American firms. The fund started up in November 2014. Its MER is a reasonable 0.44%, and the units currently yield a high 4.05%. The ETF focuses on leading large-cap global companies. Its top stocks are Toyota Motor at 2.6% of assets; Nova Nordisk, 2.5%; Novartis AG, 2.5%; Roche Holdings, 2.5%; BHP Group, 2.5%; and Nestle SA, 2.5%. The fund’s geographic breakdown includes Japan, 18.6%; France, 15.5%; Switzerland, 14.5%; the U.K., 12.2%; Germany, 11.4%; the Netherlands, 3.5%; and Denmark, 3.1%. Our view is that North American companies provide all the diversification that North American investors need. We have felt this way for decades, and it has generally paid off. It seems likely to hold true for the remainder of this decade, possibly longer. This ETF has a worthwhile yield of 4.05%. However,…