Exchange-traded funds offer a convenient way to invest in sectors or niches that interest you. If you'd like to load up your portfolio with some solid dividend-paying stocks, the Wisdom Tree Total Dividend ETF
The basics
ETFs often sport lower expense ratios than their mutual fund cousins. The Wisdom Tree ETF's expense ratio -- its annual fee -- is a relatively low 0.28%. It recently yielded nearly 2.7%. The fund is fairly small, too, so if you're thinking of buying, beware of occasionally large spreads between its bid and ask prices. Consider using a limit order if you want to buy in.
This ETF has roughly kept pace with the overall market, underperforming it by a smidge over the past five years and outperforming it a bit over the past three. As with most investments, of course, we can't expect outstanding performances in every quarter or year. Investors with conviction need to wait for their holdings to deliver.
With a low turnover rate of 15%, this fund isn't frantically and frequently rejiggering its holdings, as many funds do.
What's in it?
Plenty of dividend-paying companies had strong performances over the past year. Philip Morris International
Southern Copper
ConocoPhillips
Procter & Gamble
The big picture
A well-chosen ETF can grant you instant diversification across any industry or group of companies -- and make investing in and profiting from it that much easier.
These are far from your only dividend opportunities. Check out this special free report to learn about nine compelling dividend payers that can generate a lot of revenue for you over time.