Vanguard and Blackrock

 

Nearing mid July, 2022 ... gas prices are easing from some from their highs as the price of oil flirts with the $100 USD range. That seems to be the only break in necessary expenses on my end as the price of groceries continue to inch up. Interest rates are expected to hike again this week hitting folks with mortgages the hardest no doubt, if they are on a variable interest rate term or nearing a "renew" of their terms

Central Banks, with their strategies to combat high inflation are not winning yet and when there is eventually some curbing of inflation ... will grocery prices drop in tandem? No

People grumble about it but carry on seeking the happier things in life and entertainment or too busy with family, around the house and work to have time to dwell on it all.

Most folks seek bargains, discounts or a good deal. Being involved in the dividend paying stock market ... I see stocks and ETF's that are rare bargains before the Markets rebound once again. It all looks like a rewind of the big drop of March, 2020 when the pandemic started here in Canada and the US.

Looking at the Vanguard and Blackrock ETF's, they have a long lineup and with some being very popular with folks seeking dividends and low management fees.

There a lot of articles, books and media comparing the companies products and strategies and how to benefit from them.

Most Bloggers I read that focus on dividends, have a portfolio of stocks but usually have one or a few ETF's from Vanguard and/or Blackrock as an addon.

XEI - iShares S&P/TSX Composite High Dividend Index ETF has a Holding of 75 popular stocks with a yield of 3.94% and pays monthly. XEI from Blackrock has some steady growth between the dips like March, 2020 and currently. 

With Vanguard, VDY - FTSE Canadian High Dividend Yield Index ETF also pays a monthly dividend and has a 3.46% yield with 47 popular yielding stocks in Canada. 

Both ETF's come with a low 0.22 MER or fees that management charges. A good savings off the "bottom line' compared to the high management fees out there.

I think the drawback with these ETF's is that the cash distributions fluctuate while some investors prefer to have the same amounts in dividends each month/quarter. Sector and company weighting in the Holdings may not be to the liking of some. But, overall they work and provide a dividend income if desired and there's growth looking at the 3 and 5 year charts.

Those are two personal picks I like while there are a variety of choices to choose from getting into the US, International markets and sectors allowing for risk tolerances.

Dale from Cut The Crap Investing has a great post here about XEI and VDY