10 Best Performing Dividend ETFs in 2022

In this article, we discuss 10 best performing dividend ETFs in 2022.

Investing in dividends, especially those that increase on a year-over-year basis, can contribute meaningfully to long-term portfolio returns in a volatile market. Market uncertainty, paired with growing recession fears and a declining macroeconomic outlook, has investors running towards safe haven assets and defensive strategies to protect their portfolios and seek upside potential. Individuals who have long investing horizons and are risk averse gravitate towards dividend stocks, as these offer cumulative growth since the earnings can be reinvested in the portfolio. Nick Lentini of the Morgan Stanley Equity Strategy team said on November 9:

“The investing backdrop of the past year, driven by macroeconomic conditions and combined with the rising risk of recession, has fueled outperformance for many dividend-paying stocks.”

Energy, Packaged Food, Beverages and Household Products, Utilities, and Banks are some of the sectors providing attractive yields and dividend growth opportunities despite the pressured economic environment. Cash flows from dividend payments are a significant source of income and return for investors. Those who wish to protect themselves against the challenging macro backdrop can look out for dividend ETFs, which offer exposure to some of the best income stocks like Enbridge Inc. (NYSE:ENB), Best Buy Co., Inc. (NYSE:BBY), and Energy Transfer L.P. (NYSE:ET). 

Our Methodology 

We selected the following dividend ETFs based on positive share price gains year-to-date as of December 9. These exchange traded funds were ranked according to their share price gains. We have discussed these ETFs in terms of their largest holdings, net assets, expense ratios, and benchmark indices.

Photo by Jp Valery on Unsplash

Best Performing Dividend ETFs in 2022

10. Touchstone Dividend Select ETF (NYSE:DVND)

YTD Share Price Gain as of December 12: 3.36%

Touchstone Dividend Select ETF (NYSE:DVND) seeks current income and capital appreciation by choosing US large-cap companies with competitive advantages that offer reliable, increasing dividends at attractive valuations. The fund tracks the investment results of the MSCI USA Large Cap Index, with $26.91 million in assets under management and an expense ratio of 0.67%. Touchstone Dividend Select ETF (NYSE:DVND) has 52 holdings in its portfolio. It is an open ended fund that primarily invests in Electronic Technology, Finance, Consumer Services, Technology Services, Retail Trade, Health Technology, and Consumer Non-Durables sectors, among others. 

Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) is a significant holding of Touchstone Dividend Select ETF (NYSE:DVND). On November 30, Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) declared a quarterly dividend of $0.68 per share, in line with previous. The dividend is payable on March 9, 2023 to shareholders of record on February 16, 2023. The dividend yield on December 12 came in at 1.09%. 

According to Insider Monkey’s data, Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) was part of 269 hedge fund portfolios at the end of Q3 2022, compared to 258 in the prior quarter. Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Trust is the largest position holder in the company, with 39.2 million shares worth $9.14 billion. 

Like Enbridge Inc. (NYSE:ENB), Best Buy Co., Inc. (NYSE:BBY), and Energy Transfer L.P. (NYSE:ET), Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) is one of the top dividend stocks backed by elite hedge funds. 

Diamond Hill made the following comment about Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) in its Q3 2022 investor letter:

“Also among our bottom contributors were media and technology giant Alphabet, software and IT services provider Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) and insurance company American International Group (AIG). Microsoft shares declined in Q3, along with other tech companies, as rising interest rates impacted the near-term outlook. We expect the business to continue to generate strong revenue growth and benefit from operating leverage. Microsoft’s cloud computing services business, Azure, is generating robust growth, confirming its competitive positioning.”

9. First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund (NYSE:FDL)

YTD Share Price Gain as of December 12: 4.22%

First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund (NYSE:FDL) tracks the investment results of the Morningstar Dividend Leaders IndexSM, which consists of companies conforming to consistent and sustainable dividend policies. The fund was established in 2006 and offers an expense ratio of 0.46%. The 30-day SEC yield as of November 30 came in at 4.32% and the dividend per share as of December 12 stood at $0.4022. First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund (NYSE:FDL)’s total net assets are $4.5 billion and the portfolio has 100 holdings. It is one of the best performing dividend ETFs to consider. It primarily invests in Energy, Financials, Consumer Staples, Health Care, and Information Technology sectors, among others. 

Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM) is the largest holding in First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund (NYSE:FDL)’s portfolio. Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM)’s dividend payments to shareholders have increased at an average annual rate of 5.9% over the last 40 years. The company announced on December 8 that it will expand its stock buyback plan to $50 billion through 2024, including $15 billion in 2022. Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM) expects to “double earnings and cash flow potential” by 2027 compared to 2019, and remains on track to report approximately $9 billion in structural cost savings by the end of 2023 compared to 2019 levels.

According to the third quarter database of Insider Monkey, 75 hedge funds were bullish on Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM), compared to 72 funds in the prior quarter. Rajiv Jain’s GQG Partners held the largest position in the company, with 33.8 million shares worth nearly $3 billion. 

In its Q2 2022 investor letter, First Eagle Investments, an asset management firm, highlighted a few stocks and Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM) was one of them. Here is what the fund said:

“Integrated oil and gas giant Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM) performed well in the second quarter as continued high prices for energy products supported the stock. As the largest refiner in the US, the company has benefitted from wide “crack spreads,” or the margin between the cost of crude oil and the petroleum products extracted from it. Exxon continues to invest in refining capacity in the US, which industry wide has been in steady decline since 2019. We are pleased that Exxon has been using its strong cash flows to reduce debt and to return cash to shareholders through dividends and stock repurchases.”

8. USCF ESG Dividend Income Fund (NYSE:UDI)

YTD Share Price Gain as of December 12: 4.42%

USCF ESG Dividend Income Fund (NYSE:UDI) seeks a high level of current income and as a secondary objective, growth of income. It is an actively managed ETF that aims to achieve its investment objective by investing at least 80% of its net assets in US-listed dividend paying and dividend growth companies that meet its environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria. It offers an expense ratio of 0.65% and a 30-Day SEC yield of 2.60% as of November 30. It is one of the best performing dividend ETFs in 2022. 

Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ), an American multinational company that researches and develops, manufactures, and sells various products in the healthcare field worldwide, features as the top holding of USCF ESG Dividend Income Fund (NYSE:UDI). Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) is a reliable dividend king, and it has increased the quarterly dividend for the 60th consecutive year in 2022. The company paid a $1.13 per share quarterly dividend to shareholders on December 6. The dividend yield on December 12 came in at 2.55%. 

According to Insider Monkey’s data, Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) was part of 85 hedge fund portfolios at the end of the third quarter of 2022, compared to 83 in the earlier quarter. Ken Fisher’s Fisher Asset Management is the leading position holder in the company, with nearly 6 million shares worth $967.2 million. 

Distillate Capital Partners LLC shared its outlook on Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) in its Q2 2022 investor letter. Here’s what the firm said:

“Johnson & Johnson was among the 2 largest trims at around 1% each. Each stock was up 1% in the quarter compared to the 16% price decline for the S&P 500 and the positions were reduced as the valuations became somewhat less appealing, though still attractive enough to warrant inclusion.”

7. iShares Core High Dividend ETF (NYSE:HDV)

YTD Share Price Gain as of December 12: 4.77%

iShares Core High Dividend ETF (NYSE:HDV) seeks to track the investment results of an index consisting of relatively high dividend paying U.S. equities, with Morningstar Dividend Yield Focus Index as its underlying benchmark. The fund exposes investors to 75 dividend-paying domestic stocks that are financially healthy. As of December 9, iShares Core High Dividend ETF (NYSE:HDV)’s net assets came in at $12.3 billion and it distributes dividends on a quarterly basis. The 30-day SEC yield stood at 4.02% and the fund offers an expense ratio of 0.08%. 

One of iShares Core High Dividend ETF (NYSE:HDV)’s top holdings is Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX), a California-based company engaged in integrated energy and chemicals operations worldwide. On December 7, Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX) announced a FY 2023 capital spending budget of $17 billion, at the high end of its $15 billion-$17 billion medium-term range and up more than 25% from expected spending in 2022. The budget also includes approximately $2 billion for projects that lower carbon emissions or boost renewable fuels production capacity, which is more than double the 2022 budget. Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX)’s streak of consecutive annual dividend increases is up to 35 years, making it a reliable dividend aristocrat. 

According to Insider Monkey’s data, Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX) was part of 66 hedge fund portfolios at the end of September 2022, compared to 59 in the prior quarter. Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway is the largest stakeholder of the company, with 165.3 million shares worth $23.75 billion. 

In its Q1 2022 investor letter, Diamond Hill, an asset management firm, highlighted a few stocks and Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX) was one of them. Here is what the fund said:

“Other top contributors in Q1 included multinational energy company Chevron Corp. (NYSE:CVX). The company benefited from increased energy demand as COVID-related economic restrictions eased in tandem with concerns regarding supply interruptions related to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.”

6. WisdomTree U.S. High Dividend Fund (NYSE:DHS)

YTD Share Price Gain as of December 12: 5.83%

WisdomTree U.S. High Dividend Fund (NYSE:DHS) was founded on June 16, 2006 and the fund offers targeted exposure to U.S. high dividend yielding equities. The ETF focuses on large-cap value and dividend oriented active and passive strategies. WisdomTree U.S. High Dividend Fund (NYSE:DHS) seeks to track the price and yield performance of the WisdomTree U.S. High Dividend Index. As of December 9, the fund’s 30-day SEC yield came in at 3.58% and the total assets were $1.4 billion. It is one of the best performing dividend ETFs in 2022. 

One of the largest holdings in WisdomTree U.S. High Dividend Fund (NYSE:DHS)’s portfolio is AbbVie Inc. (NYSE:ABBV), an Illinois-based company that discovers, develops, manufactures, and sells pharmaceuticals worldwide. On October 28, AbbVie Inc. (NYSE:ABBV) declared a $1.48 per share quarterly dividend, a 5% increase from its prior dividend of $1.41. The dividend is payable on February 15, 2023 to shareholders of record on January 3. 

According to Insider Monkey’s Q3 data, 80 hedge funds were long AbbVie Inc. (NYSE:ABBV), compared to 71 funds in the prior quarter. Peter Rathjens, Bruce Clarke, and John Campbell’s Arrowstreet Capital held a prominent stake in the company, consisting of 3.2 million shares worth $431.60 million. 

In addition to Enbridge Inc. (NYSE:ENB), Best Buy Co., Inc. (NYSE:BBY), and Energy Transfer L.P. (NYSE:ET), smart investors are piling into AbbVie Inc. (NYSE:ABBV) as a dividend play. 

Here is what Baron Funds specifically said about AbbVie Inc. (NYSE:ABBV) in its Q3 2022 investor letter:

“AbbVie Inc. (NYSE:ABBV) is a drug developer best known for Humira, an immunosuppressant that is the best selling drug of all time. Given outsized key product risk (patent cliff and generic launches beginning in 2023), AbbVie has broadened its pipeline, highlighted by its Allergan acquisition. Shares fell on results that missed consensus and indications that legacy franchises were outperforming newer product launches, calling into question AbbVie’s long-term strategy. With promising assets in the pipeline and its robust cash flow profile, we believe AbbVie will grow well into the future.”

5. Invesco S&P Ultra Dividend Revenue ETF (NYSE:RDIV)

YTD Share Price Gain as of December 12: 5.92%

Invesco S&P Ultra Dividend Revenue ETF (NYSE:RDIV) tracks the performance based on the S&P 900 Dividend Revenue-Weighted Index. The fund invests at least 90% of its total assets in securities that comprise the index. Invesco S&P Ultra Dividend Revenue ETF (NYSE:RDIV) offers a 30-day SEC yield of 3.97% as of December 9 and the average market cap stood at $56 billion. The fund charges an expense ratio of 0.39% and it holds 62 equities in its portfolio. 

Invesco S&P Ultra Dividend Revenue ETF (NYSE:RDIV)’s largest holding is Best Buy Co., Inc. (NYSE:BBY), an American company that retails technology products in the United States and Canada. On November 22, Best Buy Co., Inc. (NYSE:BBY) declared a $0.88 per share quarterly dividend, in line with previous. The dividend is payable on January 3, 2023 to shareholders of record on December 13, 2022. The dividend yield on December 12 came in at 4.27%. The company has consistently raised its dividends for the last 18 years. 

According to Insider Monkey’s Q3 data, 31 hedge funds held stakes in Best Buy Co., Inc. (NYSE:BBY), compared to 26 funds in the earlier quarter. Ken Griffin’s Citadel Investment Group held a significant position in the company, consisting of 1.3 million shares worth $83.2 million.

4. Alerian MLP ETF (NYSE:AMLP)

YTD Share Price Gain as of December 12: 11.64%

Alerian MLP ETF (NYSE:AMLP) seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of its underlying benchmark, the Alerian MLP Infrastructure Index. The underlying index provides a capped, float-adjusted, capitalization-weighted composite of energy infrastructure Master Limited Partnerships (MLPs) that generate most of their cash flow from midstream activities. The fund was established in 2010 and the net assets as of December 9 came in at nearly $6.2 billion. The total expense ratio stood at 0.87%. Alerian MLP ETF (NYSE:AMLP)’s dividend yield on December 12 was 8.13%. 

Energy Transfer LP (NYSE:ET), a Texas-based energy infrastructure company that provides natural gas transportation pipelines and natural gas storage facilities, features as the largest holding of Alerian MLP ETF (NYSE:AMLP). On October 25, Energy Transfer LP (NYSE:ET) declared a $0.265 per share quarterly dividend, a 15.2% increase from its prior dividend of $0.230. The dividend was paid to shareholders on November 21. As of December 12, Energy Transfer LP (NYSE:ET)’s dividend yield came in at 9.09%, whereas the average yield of the energy sector is 4.24%. 

According to Insider Monkey’s third quarter database, Energy Transfer LP (NYSE:ET) was part of 33 hedge fund portfolios, compared to 36 in the prior quarter. David Abrams’ Abrams Capital Management held the largest position in the company, with 22 million shares worth $242.8 million. 

Miller Value Partners, an investment firm, talked about Energy Transfer L.P. (NYSE:ET) in its Q2 2021 investor letter. Here is what the fund said:

“Energy Transfer LP (ET) rose over the period along with the price of oil climbing 40.59% over the period. The company received positive news that the Dakota Access Pipeline project would not be shut down while the Environmental Impact Statement by the US Army Corps of Engineers is drawn up. Energy Transfer reported strong 1Q results with revenue of $17B surpassing expectations for $11.8B with adjusted earnings before income, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) hitting $5.04B ahead of consensus of $2.77B. The company raised full year adjusted EBITDA guidance to $12.9-13.3B from $10.6-11.0B previously, with the increase largely related to the benefits realized from Winter Storm Uri. The company paid down $3.7B in debt during the quarter, using strong cash flow to reduce leverage. The company also announced the issuance of $900M in 6.5% Series H perpetual preferreds with the company using the proceeds to repay debt and for general purposes.”

3. VanEck Energy Income ETF (NYSE:EINC)

YTD Share Price Gain as of December 12: 13.72%

VanEck Energy Income ETF (NYSE:EINC) seeks to replicate the price and yield performance of the MVIS North America Energy Infrastructure Index, which covers North American companies involved in the midstream energy segment. The fund was established in 2012 and offers a 30-day SEC yield of 4.47% as of December 9. The total net assets came in at $31.4 million and VanEck Energy Income ETF (NYSE:EINC) delivers an expense ratio of 0.46%. VanEck Energy Income ETF (NYSE:EINC) has 29 stocks in its portfolio and it is one of the best performing dividend ETFs this year. 

Enbridge Inc. (NYSE:ENB) is the largest holding of VanEck Energy Income ETF (NYSE:EINC). It is a Canadian energy infrastructure company that operates through five segments – Liquids Pipelines, Gas Transmission and Midstream, Gas Distribution and Storage, Renewable Power Generation, and Energy Services. On November 30, Enbridge Inc. (NYSE:ENB) declared a C$0.8875 per share quarterly dividend, a 3.2% increase from its prior dividend of C$0.86. The dividend is payable on March 1, 2023 to shareholders of record on February 15. The dividend yield on December 12 came in at 6.73%. 

According to Insider Monkey’s Q3 data, Enbridge Inc. (NYSE:ENB) was part of 24 hedge fund portfolios, compared to 25 in the prior quarter. Rajiv Jain’s GQG Partners is the largest stakeholder of the company, with 56.2 million shares worth over $2 billion. 

Here is what ClearBridge Investments Dividend Strategy has to say about Enbridge Inc. (NYSE:ENB) in its Q3 2021 investor letter:

“We are meaningfully overweight energy, particularly within North American energy infrastructure. Enbridge and Williams, our two infrastructure holdings, possess crown jewel infrastructure assets. They each deliver meaningful proportions of the overall energy produced and consumed in North America. Their revenues are backed by long-term contracts with high-quality counterparties and have little direct commodity price exposure. Their growth has been driven by the increasing production of North American energy. The advent of unconventional oil and gas production (oil sand and shale) has made North America a low-cost competitor on a global basis. We expect strong North American production to be an enduring feature of global energy supply for decades to come.”

2. Global X MLP ETF (NYSE:MLPA)

YTD Share Price Gain as of December 12: 13.75%

Global X MLP ETF (NYSE:MLPA) seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the Solactive MLP Infrastructure Index. Global X MLP ETF (NYSE:MLPA)’s expense ratio is over 15% less than the competitor average. The fund was established in 2012 and has net assets of $1.29 billion, with an expense ratio of 0.45%. Global X MLP ETF (NYSE:MLPA) has 20 stocks in its portfolio. 

Enterprise Products Partners L.P. (NYSE:EPD) is the biggest holding of the Global X MLP ETF (NYSE:MLPA). It is a Texas-based company that provides midstream energy services to producers and consumers of natural gas, natural gas liquids, crude oil, petrochemicals, and refined products. The company reported a Q3 GAAP EPS of $0.62 and a revenue of $15.46 billion, topping analysts’ estimates by $0.01 and $1.64 billion, respectively. 

According to Insider Monkey’s data, Enterprise Products Partners L.P. (NYSE:EPD) was part of 21 hedge fund portfolios at the end of Q3 2022, compared to 23 in the prior quarter. Bruce Berkowitz’s Fairholme (FAIRX) held the leading position in the company, comprising 3.8 million shares worth $92.3 million. 

Here is what Fairholme Capital Management specifically said about Enterprise Products Partners L.P. (NYSE:EPD) in its Q2 2022 investor letter:

“Enterprise Products Partners L.P. (NYSE:EPD) is the largest position in the Fund. Enterprise provides processing and transportation services to producers and consumers of natural gas, natural gas liquids, and oil. These hydrocarbons are critical for modern life and have few, if any, ready substitutes. Commodity prices do not greatly affect the company’s toll road fees. Enterprise is priced at less than nine times distributable cash flows and pays a 7.5% cash distribution.”

1. InfraCap MLP ETF (NYSE:AMZA)

YTD Share Price Gain as of December 12: 16.40%

InfraCap MLP ETF (NYSE:AMZA) is an actively managed fund that invests in midstream MLPs that collect, process, store, and transport energy products. The segment benchmark index is MSCI USA IMI / Oil & Gas Storage & Transportation. The fund was launched in 2014 and offers an expense ratio of 1.40%, with a concentrated portfolio of 28 MLPs. InfraCap MLP ETF (NYSE:AMZA) has a distribution yield of 7.24% and it is one of the best performing ETFs in 2022, with shares up over 16% year-to-date as of December 12. 

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Disclosure: None. 10 Best Performing Dividend ETFs in 2022 is originally published on Insider Monkey.