IGRO: International ETF Heavily Weighted In Financials, Downplays China
iShares International Dividend Growth ETF offers diversified exposure to 557 international stocks with at least five years of dividend growth. IGRO has low exposure to China-related geopolitical risk but is heavily weighted in financials (30.7%). The fund has underperformed the ex-U.S. equity benchmark IXUS since inception, and lagged it by 10.2% over the last 12 months.
Dividend Growth ETF (IGRO) Hits Fresh 52-Week High
IGRO hits a new 52-week high as strong global markets and rising demand for income-generating ETFs fuel momentum.
IGRO: Not A Good Time For Dividend Growth
iShares International Dividend Growth ETF is rated a hold due to portfolio flaws and the availability of superior alternatives like LVHI. IGRO's backward-looking dividend growth strategy lacks quality screens, resulting in higher volatility, sector/geographic concentration, and underperformance versus LVHI. LVHI outperforms IGRO on risk-adjusted returns, yield, and liquidity, making it a more compelling choice for global ex-US dividend exposure.
IGRO: Risk-Reward For A Long Position Is Not Very Ideal
IGRO which follows a group of 450 international dividend growers has generated returns of close to 15% and outperformed global markets by around 330 bps this year. We measure how IGRO stacks up against its more popular peer- VIGI. While IGRO's portfolio may appeal to those fishing for beaten down and cheaply valued opportunities across the globe, we find that the risk-reward on the standalone chart is not ideal.
IGRO: Finding Value In Foreign Dividend Growers
IGRO focuses on owning high-quality dividend-growth companies domiciled outside of the US. I see value in the fund given its low 14x P/E, while the sector breakdown is diversified. With bullish seasonality in play, I highlight key price levels to monitor.
IGRO: Why It Is A Good Time To Buy An International Dividend Growth ETF
A diversified portfolio of dividend-paying stocks is likely to perform well when interest rates are lowered. International stock valuations are not as inflated as U.S. stocks, offering the potential for more affordable purchases. The healthcare sector provides stability and dividend payments, making it appealing during market volatility, and it is the second-largest sector in IGRO.
IGRO: Not The Best Fund For Dividend Growth Investors
The iShares International Dividend Growth ETF owns a portfolio of international dividend growth stocks, with a concentration in Canada, Japan, and Switzerland. IGRO had a rough ride in 2022 but has since recovered, though its return is still lower than the S&P 500 index. IGRO's fund price may be impacted by currency rates and the Federal Reserve's monetary policy.
