Exchange-traded products belonging to Morningstar’s “dividend” strategic-beta group form one of the largest contingents within this universe as measured by assets under management. As of the end of May 2019, these funds collectively held US$173 billion of investors’ assets in the U.S.
This group has been growing at a blistering pace in recent years. During the trailing decade, dividend ETPs in the U.S. have attracted nearly US$133 billion in new assets.
This should come as little surprise in the context of the prevailing interest-rate regime and the secular upward trend in demand for sources of investment income, as the first waves of baby boomers have entered retirement.