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

These two high-yield dividend ETFs are some of the best long-term investments that Canadians can make to boost their passive income.

| More on:

There’s no question that dividend investing is one of the best ways to build long-term wealth. High-quality dividend stocks don’t just pay you regular income; they’re also some of the most reliable investments you can own over time. And when you buy high-yield dividend ETFs you get all the benefits of these stocks in addition to natural diversification.

Picking individual dividend stocks offers plenty of benefits. However, it also takes a lot of time and research to not only understand what you’re buying but to ensure you’re diversifying your investments well.

That’s why high-quality dividend ETFs are some of the best investments you can buy. They help solve many of these issues by offering instant diversification, lower risk, and less work. You get exposure to a bunch of strong, income-generating companies all in one simple investment.

Therefore, if your goal is to earn steady, passive income, dividend ETFs are one of the easiest ways to do it. And with the right ones, you can generate significant passive income to boost your portfolio’s long-term growth.

So, with that in mind, here are two high-yield dividend ETFs that are perfect for generating passive income.

ETF stands for Exchange Traded Fund

Source: Getty Images

One of the best high-yield dividend ETFs on the TSX

If you’re looking to boost your passive income by owning high-quality, high-yield dividend ETFs, one of the best to consider is the iShares S&P/TSX Composite High Dividend Index ETF (TSX:XEI).

The XEI ETF holds a mix of high-quality, dividend-paying companies from across the TSX, including banks, energy stocks, telecoms, and utilities.

For example, its three top holdings are Toronto-Dominion Bank, Suncor Energy, and Enbridge, which are three of the largest and best long-term stocks in Canada.

The fund is designed to focus on income first. It doesn’t try to chase growth or time the market. It simply owns reliable companies that pay solid dividends, then passes that income onto investors.

Furthermore, because it’s well-diversified and made up of some of the most stable businesses in the country, it’s a strong choice for long-term investors. And with a current yield of roughly 5.4% and a management expense ratio of just 0.22%, it offers an attractive balance of income and dependability.

So, if your goal is to generate passive income with a reliable and diversified high-yield dividend ETF, XEI is a name worth seriously considering.

A unique fund offering a yield of more than 6.6%

In addition to the XEI ETF, another high-quality, high-yield dividend ETF to consider adding to your portfolio is the BMO Canadian High Dividend Covered Call ETF (TSX:ZWC)

The ZWC ETF is built specifically to generate significant passive income for investors. Just like the XEI, it holds a bunch of high-yield Canadian dividend stocks. However, the main difference is that the ZWC ETF uses a covered call strategy.

Basically, the ZWC ETF sells call options on the stocks it owns. That means it collects cash upfront from other investors who are betting those stocks will rise.

So, if the stocks in its portfolio stay flat or only rally slightly, the fund keeps the premium and still owns the stock. And that extra income from the premiums it collects is what helps boost the yield, which is why it’s one of the best high-yield dividend ETFs that investors can buy.

However, it also means that if stock prices rally significantly, the fund might have to sell them at a pre-set price, missing out on some of the potential capital gains.

So essentially, the fund prioritizes higher passive income generation by sacrificing some of its potential capital gains, which may not be ideal for investors who are looking for growth, but makes it a solid pick if you’re focused on boosting the passive income your portfolio generates.

And because it owns high-quality Canadian stocks, many of its holdings are similar to the XEI ETF.

However, with its covered call strategy it offers a slightly higher yield at 6.6% (with a management expense ratio of 0.72%) compared to the yield the XEI ETF offers of 5.4%.

So, if you’re looking for high-yield dividend ETFs that can offer instant diversification and significant passive income, the ZWC ETF is one of the best to consider.

Fool contributor Daniel Da Costa has positions in Enbridge. The Motley Fool recommends Enbridge. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

More on Dividend Stocks

money goes up and down in balance
Dividend Stocks

4 TSX Stocks Worth Considering as the Market Shifts Back Toward Value

Value investing is making a comeback in 2026 – and these TSX stocks fit the trend.

Read more »

woman checks off all the boxes
Dividend Stocks

5 Dividend Stocks That Could Deserve a Spot in Nearly Any Portfolio

Are you wondering how to build a portfolio that generates stable, growing passive income? These five top dividend stocks should…

Read more »

workers walk through an office building
Dividend Stocks

3 Undervalued TSX Stocks to Buy Before the Crowd Catches On

These three “undervalued” TSX names all look imperfect today, which is exactly why their valuations may be offering opportunity.

Read more »

bank of canada governor tiff macklem
Dividend Stocks

3 Canadian Stocks I’d Buy Before the Next Bank of Canada Move

With the Bank of Canada on hold, these three TSX names offer earnings power that doesn’t require perfect rate cuts.

Read more »

Investor wonders if it's safe to buy stocks now
Dividend Stocks

This Market Feels Shaky: Here Are 2 Canadian Stocks I’d Still Buy

When markets get shaky, two TSX names, a cash-gushing gold miner and a deeply discounted fund, can help you stay…

Read more »

electrical cord plugs into wall socket for more energy
Dividend Stocks

1 TSX Dividend Stock That’s Down 10% – and Looks Worth Buying While It’s There

Considering its solid operational performance, growth pipeline, reasonable valuation, and healthy dividend yield, Northland Power offers attractive buying opportunities at…

Read more »

Abstract technology background image with standing businessman
Dividend Stocks

Two Canadian Dividend Stocks Worth Snapping Up on Any Dip

These Canadian stocks have a multi-decade record of paying and growing dividends, making them top investments for passive income.

Read more »

hand stacks coins
Dividend Stocks

3 TSX Dividend Stocks That Still Look Cheap Right Now

These three TSX dividend stocks look cheap for different reasons, but each has a plausible path to keeping payouts going.

Read more »