The 5 Best Dividend ETFs for 2024

We rank the top-performing dividend ETFs with yields above five percent.

kent
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Research Lead
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Reviewed by: etf.com Staff
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Edited by: Ron Day
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Best Dividend ETFs for 2024
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Best Dividend ETFs - AMLP
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Best Dividend ETFs - MLPX
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Best Dividend ETFs - AMZA
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Top Dividend ETFs - ENFR
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Best Dividend ETFs - EYLD
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How We Identified the Best Dividend ETFs for 2024

To arrive at the best dividend ETFs for 2024, we began with the entire universe of exchange-traded funds and screened for high dividend yield ETFs with the best year-to-date returns through June 18, 2024. 

 

We first screened for 30-day SEC yields above 5% and then ranked those funds by performance. Leveraged ETFs and derivative income funds, such as covered call ETFs, were eliminated from our search. 

 

While past performance is no guarantee of future results, and high yields can indicate higher market risk, the top-performers in this space are dominated by funds focusing on master limited partnerships. MLPs are publicly traded partnerships that combine the tax benefits of a private partnership with the liquidity of a stock, often focusing on energy, natural resources and infrastructure.

Alerian MLP ETF

The Alerian MLP ETF (AMLP) tracks a basket of Master Limited Partnerships (MLPs) in the energy infrastructure sector, offering investors exposure to this income-generating asset class.

 

The companies listed in its market-cap-weighted index earn majority of their cash flow from midstream activities involving energy commodities.

 

  • YTD return: 12.80%
  • SEC yield: 10.31%
  • Expense ratio: 0.85%
  • AUM: $8.4 billion

 

Global X MLP & Energy Infrastructure ETF

The Global X MLP & Energy Infrastructure ETF (MLPX) offers exposure to Master Limited Partnerships (MLPs) and energy infrastructure companies, targeting income generation.

 

Unlike most existing MLP ETPs that are structured as C-corporations, MLPX is regulated as a classic 1940 Act fund. While this eliminates the downsides of the other structures, it also means the fund offers diluted exposure to MLPs.

 

  • YTD return: 14.27%
  • SEC yield: 5.74%
  • Expense ratio: 0.45%
  • AUM: $1.5 billion

InfraCap MLP ETF

The InfraCap MLP ETF (AMZA) focuses on midstream energy companies, generating income through high current payouts.

 

These midstream companies don't directly drill for oil or gas, but instead focus on the transportation, storage, and processing of energy products like oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids.

 

  • YTD return: 14.76%
  • SEC yield: 9.05%
  • Expense ratio: 2.18%
  • AUM: $338.8 million

Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF

The Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF (ENFR) provides investors with exposure to companies across the North American energy infrastructure landscape.

 

The ENFR ETF holds a broad range of energy infrastructure businesses, including pipelines, utilities and companies involved in storage and transportation of energy resources.

 

  • YTD return: 14.91% 
  • SEC yield: 5.30%
  • Expense ratio: 0.35%
  • AUM: $149.3 million

Cambria Emerging Shareholder Yield ETF

The Cambria Emerging Shareholder Yield ETF (EYLD) targets emerging market companies that return cash to shareholders through a three-pronged approach. 

 

Unlike traditional dividend-focused ETFs, EYLD considers not just dividends but also net share buybacks, where companies repurchase their own stock, and low financial leverage. This strategy aims to identify companies in developing economies that prioritize returning value to shareholders while maintaining a healthy financial profile.

 

  • YTD return: 15.31%
  • SEC yield: 5.67%
  • Expense ratio: 0.66%
  • AUM: $420.8 million

Kent Thune is Research Lead for etf.com, focusing on educational content, thought leadership, content management and search engine optimization. Before joining etf.com, he wrote for numerous investment websites, including Seeking Alpha and Kiplinger. 

 

Kent holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree and is a practicing Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) with 25 years of experience managing investments, guiding clients through some of the worst economic and market environments in U.S. history. He has also served as an adjunct professor, teaching classes for The College of Charleston and Trident Technical College on the topics of retirement planning, business finance, and entrepreneurship. 

 

Kent founded a registered investment advisory firm in 2006 and is based in Hilton Head Island, SC, where he lives with his wife and two sons. Outside of work, Kent enjoys spending time with his family, playing guitar, and working on his philosophy book, which he plans to publish in the coming year.