A Focus on High-Yield Equities: VanEck's Developed Markets ETF Distributes March Dividend

VanEck's high-dividend ETF distributed €0.21 per share in March 2026. The fund, tracking 100 top-yielding stocks with ESG screens, has grown to ~€6.9B AUM and returned ~7% YTD.

Investors in the VanEck Morningstar Developed Markets Dividend Leaders UCITS ETF received their quarterly distribution in March 2026. The payout was set at 0.21 euros per share, with the ex-dividend date falling on March 4 and the payment following on March 11. This fund, which targets high-dividend-paying companies, has seen its assets under management grow substantially, reaching approximately 6.9 billion euros.

Index Methodology and Stock Selection

The fund's strategy is built around tracking the Morningstar® Developed Markets Large Cap Dividend Leaders Screened Select Index. This involves a direct holding of the 100 highest-yielding equities from developed nations. The selection process is governed by strict rules designed to promote sustainability and quality. A company's payout ratio cannot exceed 75%, and its current dividend per share must be at least equal to the level from five years prior. To ensure diversification, the methodology caps individual holdings at 5% of the portfolio and limits sector exposure to 40%.

Further refining the selection, the index incorporates ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) screens. Firms with poor sustainability ratings or those found in violation of the UN Global Compact principles are excluded. The underlying index portfolio is reviewed and rebalanced on a semi-annual schedule, specifically in June and December.

Performance, Cost, and Regional Exposure

As of the end of February 2026, the ETF's largest country allocations were to the United States (24.23%) and the United Kingdom (11.39%). The product carries a total expense ratio of 0.38% annually. In terms of performance, the fund has delivered a year-to-date return of roughly 7%, a figure that notably outpaces its more modest gain over the preceding 30-day period.