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HDV iShares Core High Dividend ETF

Category: Large Cap Value Equities

Inception: 2011-03-29 Issuer: BlackRock, Inc.
Net Assets
$11.4B
Expense Ratio
0.08 %
# of Holdings
76
Average Daily Volume
599K

Fund Overview

The iShares Core High Dividend ETF (HDV) seeks to track the investment results of the Morningstar Dividend Yield Focus Index, which is composed of high-quality, high-dividend-yielding U.S. equities. The fund focuses on companies with strong financial health and sustainable dividend payouts, offering investors exposure to stable income-generating stocks. HDV is designed for long-term investors seeking a combination of dividend income and potential capital appreciation. The ETF is well-diversified across sectors, with significant holdings in healthcare, consumer staples, and energy.
Asset Class
Equity
Industry
N/A
Annual Dividend Rate
Smart Beta
Yes
Leveraged / Inverse
N/A / No
Dividend Quality - Yield
 - 3.35 %
Currency Hedged
No
Portfolio Turnover
67 %
Dividend Date

Why Invest in the HDV ETF?

Potential Benefits

  • Provides exposure to high-quality, dividend-paying U.S. stocks with strong financial health.
  • Offers a relatively high dividend yield compared to broader market ETFs.
  • Diversified across sectors, reducing concentration risk.
  • Lower expense ratio (0.08%) compared to many other dividend-focused ETFs.
  • Tracks a well-constructed index focused on sustainable dividend payouts.
  • Suitable for income-focused investors seeking stability and long-term growth.

Potential Risks

  • Dividend-paying stocks may underperform growth stocks in strong bull markets.
  • Concentration in certain sectors (e.g., healthcare, energy) may increase sector-specific risks.
  • Dividend payments are not guaranteed and can be cut during economic downturns.
  • Interest rate sensitivity: rising rates may make bonds more attractive relative to dividend stocks.
  • Potential tax implications for investors in taxable accounts due to dividend distributions.
  • Market volatility can still affect share price despite the focus on stable companies.

Performance

1 Week 1 Month 1 Year 3 Years 5 Years YTD 2025 2024 Since Inception
-0.85% -5.57% +18.75% +58.86% +75.15% +17.16% +11.89% +12.43% +375.87%

Performance


Monthly Returns (%)

Year Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
2026 +8.7% +6.0% -2.5% +1.2% -1.0% +1.5% +5.1% +3.0% -5.0% +0.3% - -
2025 +2.1% +5.3% +1.0% -5.0% +1.0% +1.5% +0.9% +4.3% 0.0% -2.6% +4.0% -0.9%
2024 +1.6% +1.8% +5.3% -2.1% +2.0% -0.4% +5.6% +3.1% +0.4% +0.1% +3.0% -6.5%
2023 +1.0% -4.6% +2.2% +1.1% -4.7% +3.7% +3.5% -1.2% -3.0% -3.4% +4.4% +3.3%
2022 +2.3% -0.2% +4.4% -3.0% +5.0% -7.2% +3.4% -2.9% -8.3% +12.8% +5.0% -2.6%
2021 -1.1% +3.3% +6.9% +0.7% +2.6% -0.8% +0.7% +0.1% -2.4% +4.4% -3.8% +7.8%
2020 -4.1% -9.9% -14.4% +14.3% +2.6% -2.3% +2.6% +1.8% -4.0% -3.3% +11.4% +2.1%
2019 +4.8% +4.3% +2.0% +2.3% -6.2% +6.4% -0.2% -1.7% +2.5% +0.6% +1.4% +2.9%
2018 +2.3% -6.6% -1.0% 0.0% +0.3% +1.3% +3.9% +1.2% +2.1% -2.2% +4.3% -7.8%
2017 -0.7% +3.7% -0.1% -0.7% +1.4% -0.7% +1.7% -0.4% +3.0% -0.3% +3.7% +2.3%
< -5% -5% to -2% -2% to 0% 0% 0% to +2% +2% to +5% > +5%

Top Holdings (by weight)

Symbol Company Name Weight
XOM EXXON MOBIL CORP 7.9 %
JNJ JOHNSON & JOHNSON 5.5 %
PGR PROGRESSIVE CORP 5.0 %
CVX CHEVRON CORP 5.0 %
ABBV ABBVIE INC 4.8 %
PG PROCTER & GAMBLE CO 4.4 %
CME CME GROUP INC CLASS A 4.1 %
PM PHILIP MORRIS INTERNATIONAL INC 4.1 %
T AT&T INC 4.1 %
KO COCA-COLA CO 3.7 %
Top 10 holdings shown, out of 76 total holdings.

Related ETFs: HDV vs Peers

ETF Full Name Expense Ratio Net Assets Holdings Asset Class
DES WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Fund 0.38 % $1.9B 585 Equity
DGRO iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF 0.08 % $30.4B 409 Equity
DVY iShares Select Dividend ETF 0.38 % $20B 101 Equity
FVD First Trust Value Line Dividend Index Fund 0.60 % $9.2B 224 Equity
NOBL ProShares S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats ETF 0.35 % $11.8B 70 Equity
PEY Invesco High Yield Equity Dividend Achievers™ ETF 0.53 % $1.2B 51 Equity
SCHD Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF 0.06 % $70.8B 101 Equity
SDY SPDR S&P Dividend ETF 0.35 % $20.1B 151 Equity
SPYD SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 High Dividend ETF 0.07 % $6.9B 79 Equity
VYM Vanguard High Dividend Yield Index ETF 0.06 % $73.3B 530 Equity
Comparison highlights key differences on cost, coverage, and focus within sector ETFs.

Investment Strategy

HDV tracks the Morningstar Dividend Yield Focus Index, which selects U.S. stocks based on dividend yield, financial health, and dividend sustainability. The index methodology screens for companies with strong balance sheets, positive earnings, and consistent dividend histories. The portfolio is weighted by market capitalization but includes quality and yield screens that differentiate it from broader dividend indexes. The fund holds common stocks and is passively managed, with semi-annual rebalancing to maintain index alignment. HDV primarily invests in large-cap U.S. equities across various sectors.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is HDV's dividend yield?

HDV's dividend yield varies with market conditions but has historically offered a yield higher than the S&P 500, typically in the 3-4% range.

How often does HDV pay dividends?

HDV pays dividends quarterly, in March, June, September, and December.

Does HDV invest in REITs or MLPs?

No, HDV focuses on common stocks of dividend-paying corporations and does not typically include REITs or MLPs in its portfolio.

How does HDV differ from bond ETFs for income?

HDV provides equity exposure with dividend income, offering potential for growth alongside income, while bond ETFs provide fixed income with generally lower volatility but also lower growth potential.

Is HDV suitable for retirement accounts?

Yes, HDV can be appropriate for retirement accounts seeking income generation, though investors should consider their overall asset allocation and tax implications.

Industry Overview

The iShares Core High Dividend ETF (HDV) provides exposure to the U.S. large-cap dividend-paying equity market. Dividend-focused investing has long been a popular strategy for income-seeking investors and those looking for relative stability in their portfolios. HDV's focus on financially healthy companies with sustainable dividends makes it particularly relevant in environments where investors prioritize income generation and lower volatility. The fund's sector diversification helps mitigate some of the risks associated with dividend investing while maintaining a yield advantage over broader market ETFs.

Alternative Comparison

Compared to similar dividend ETFs like VYM and SCHD, HDV has a stronger quality focus in its stock selection process. While VYM offers broader exposure to dividend payers across market caps, HDV concentrates on financially healthy large-cap companies. SCHD shares HDV's quality focus but uses different selection criteria (DJ US Dividend 100 Index) and has slightly different sector exposures. HDV's expense ratio of 0.08% is competitive with these peers, making it an attractive option for cost-conscious dividend investors.

Issuer Overview

HDV is issued by iShares, a leading global ETF provider and part of BlackRock, the world's largest asset manager. iShares offers a comprehensive range of ETFs across asset classes and investment strategies, known for their liquidity, transparency, and cost efficiency. BlackRock's extensive resources and research capabilities support the management of HDV and other iShares ETFs.

Conclusion

HDV represents a compelling option for investors seeking exposure to high-quality, dividend-paying U.S. stocks. Its focus on financial health and sustainable dividends, combined with a low expense ratio, makes it particularly suitable for income-oriented portfolios. While dividend strategies carry certain risks, HDV's disciplined approach to stock selection and sector diversification help mitigate some of these concerns. As with any investment, investors should consider HDV in the context of their overall portfolio objectives and risk tolerance.

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