Dividend Aristocrat vs. Dividend ETF: Which Offers Better Income Safety?

Dividend ETFs tend to offer a slightly different mix of sustainability and yield than Dividend Aristocrats and a different way to diversify your portfolio.

| More on:

When it comes to buy-and-forget investments, exchange-traded funds, or ETFs, tend to stand out from the crowd. Most retail investors that wish to keep their investment expenses to a minimum prefer ETFs over mutual funds. These funds come with minimal fees and offer much better capital-preservation potential than individual stocks might.

But what if your aim is to start a passive income, and you are just as concerned about the safety and sustainability of your dividend-based income as you are about the return potential/yield? The most obvious first choice might be Dividend Aristocrats, but dividend ETFs are a powerful option to consider as well.

A “former” Dividend Aristocrat

Dividend Aristocrats are companies that have grown their payouts for at least five consecutive years, and while the past doesn’t always predict the future, it is the best data set we have, nevertheless. And most Dividend Aristocrats tend to maintain their dividend streaks, because breaking that streak might result in the potential loss of investor trust.

One example would be Suncor (TSX:SU)(NYSE:SU), the oil sands giant of North America, which had to slash its payout in 2020 when it became too financially unsustainable. It was a shock to investors when the beloved Dividend Aristocrat broke its 18-year dividend-growth streak. But the company started making amends as soon as the energy sector as a whole started recovering.

The company has restored its payouts quite close to the former number, and the result is an impressive 4.7% yield. And if the company restarts its dividend-growth practice, the payouts will only increase over time.

A dividend ETF

BMO Covered Call Utilities ETF (TSX:ZWU) is a low- to medium-risk ETF that offers monthly payouts, has a market capitalization of about $1.4 billion, and offers monthly dividends with an annualized distribution yield of 7.7%. And while capital appreciation is simply the cherry on top with this dividend-oriented ETF, if you had invested $10,000 in the fund about 10 years ago, your capital would have grown to over $16,000 by now.

Since 2012, the ETF’s monthly payouts have hovered between $0.073 per share and $0.09 per share, but they have mostly remained around $0.078 and $0.08 per share. So, even though the payout is not exactly rock solid, the variation is minimal enough that you can rely upon the dividends for a reasonably secure income.

About one-third of the assets within the ETF are Canadian, while the remaining are from the United States. Its top holdings include industry giants like BCE, Fortis, and Enbridge, and this comprehensive diversification within the ETF makes the income even more secure.

Foolish takeaway

The ETF is currently offering a much better return potential, even if you take the 0.71% management expense ratio into account. It’s better diversified and significantly safer than most individual Aristocrats. However, its diversification prevents fluctuations, which means that your chances of locking in excellent yields are much lower than what they are with Aristocrats.

This article represents the opinion of the writer, who may disagree with the “official” recommendation position of a Motley Fool premium service or advisor. We’re Motley! Questioning an investing thesis — even one of our own — helps us all think critically about investing and make decisions that help us become smarter, happier, and richer, so we sometimes publish articles that may not be in line with recommendations, rankings or other content.

Fool contributor Adam Othman has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Enbridge and FORTIS INC.

More on Dividend Stocks

customer uses bank ATM
Dividend Stocks

Transform Your TFSA Into a Cash-Creating Machine With $10,000

These TSX stocks can transform your TFSA into a cash-creating machine and generate $682.32 per year in tax free income.

Read more »

ways to boost income
Dividend Stocks

Cash-Rich Canadian Companies That Thrive in Economic Downturns

The strong fundamentals and financial base of these cash-rich Canadian stocks make them attractive buys in 2025.

Read more »

shopper buys items in bulk
Dividend Stocks

2 Consumer Defensive Stocks for Every Canadian’s Portfolio

Cautious investors can protect their portfolio from potential market volatility by adding these two consumer defensive stocks to their holdings…

Read more »

ETF chart stocks
Dividend Stocks

2 High-Yield Dividend ETFs to Buy to Generate Passive Income

Here are two top high-yield Canadian dividend ETFs that could help you earn reliable passive income irrespective of economic conditions.

Read more »

up arrow on wooden blocks
Dividend Stocks

Trump Rally: This Low-Cost Dividend Stock Is Gaining Speed

Great-West Lifeco (TSX:GWO) is a fantastic financial stock to own for decades.

Read more »

man shops in a drugstore
Dividend Stocks

Got $3,500? 5 Consumer Stocks to Buy and Hold Forever

These top Canadian consumer stocks could continue to deliver strong returns on your investment even amid tough economic times.

Read more »

man in suit looks at a computer with an anxious expression
Dividend Stocks

These 2 Canadian Stocks Could Double as Tariffs Shake the Market

These two Canadian stocks could certainly help beat the market, and strengthen your portfolio.

Read more »

3 colorful arrows racing straight up on a black background.
Dividend Stocks

3 TSX Stocks Soaring Higher With No Signs of Slowing

The robust long-term growth prospects of these three rallying TSX stocks could help them keep soaring in the years to…

Read more »