Vanguard Equity Income Funds are designed to provide a steady stream of income to investors, with the goal of generating regular dividend payments.
These funds invest in a mix of dividend-paying stocks, with a focus on established companies that have a history of paying consistent dividends.
Vanguard offers several equity income funds, each with its own unique investment approach and risk profile.
The Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund, for example, invests in companies that have a history of consistently increasing their dividend payouts.
This fund has a relatively low turnover rate, with an average holding period of 5.5 years, which can help reduce trading costs and taxes.
By investing in a mix of dividend-paying stocks, Vanguard Equity Income Funds aim to provide a predictable and stable source of income for investors.
Fund Details
The Vanguard Equity Income Fund is a solid choice for investors looking for a stable source of income. Its inception date was January 3, 1994.
The fund is managed by W. Michael Reckmeyer, who brings a wealth of experience to the table.
Here are some key details about the fund:
- Legal Name: Vanguard Equity Income Fund
- Fund Family Name: Vanguard
- Currency: USD
- Domiciled Country: US
The fund's shares are denominated in USD, making it accessible to investors worldwide.
Investment Options
Vanguard equity income funds offer a range of investment options to suit different needs and risk tolerance levels.
For conservative investors, the Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund is a low-cost option with a 0.06% expense ratio.
For those seeking higher yields, the Vanguard High-Yield Dividend Achievers Index Fund offers a 0.15% expense ratio and a dividend yield of around 4%.
High Yield Index Admiral Shares
High Yield Index Admiral Shares is an investment option that's worth considering. It's a type of index fund that focuses on stocks with high dividend yields.
The fund has a relatively low expense ratio of 0.08%, which is a fraction of what some other investment options charge. This means you get to keep more of your investment returns.
You'll need to have a minimum investment of $3,000 to get started. This can be a barrier for some investors, but it's worth considering if you're serious about long-term investing.
The fund has a 5-year average annual return of 10.8%, which is a respectable rate of growth. This is based on historical data and may not be indicative of future performance.
The fund's top holdings include semiconductor company Broadcom, financial services company JPMorgan Chase, and oil and gas powerhouse ExxonMobil. These are well-established companies with a history of paying consistent dividends.
Here are some key statistics about the fund:
- Price: $40.30
- Expense ratio: 0.08%
- Minimum investment: $3,000
- SEC 30-day yield: 2.6%
- 5-year average annual return: 10.8%
Vhyax: Top Choice
VHYAX is a top choice for investors seeking a fund with a competitive dividend yield. The fund's 2.6% dividend yield is twice that of the S&P 500.
The stocks in VHYAX's portfolio lean towards value characteristics, showing steady growth and generating a lot of cash. This is a key factor in the fund's moderate appreciation potential.
One potential drawback of VHYAX is that it may underperform in hot markets. However, it's worth noting that this fund is designed to provide a stable return, rather than rapid growth.
VHYAX's expense ratio is not mentioned in the provided article section.
Asset Allocation
Asset Allocation is a crucial aspect of investing, and it's essential to understand how different assets perform in various market conditions. Stocks make up the largest portion of most investment portfolios, with a weighting of 97.28% in our example.
The return on stocks can vary greatly, ranging from a low of 4.16% to a high of 109.25%. This means that even in a bad year, stocks can still provide a decent return, but they can also skyrocket in a good year.
Cash is a safer option, but it also comes with lower returns, ranging from 0.00% to 17.28%. This is because cash is generally less volatile than stocks, but it also earns less interest.
Other assets, such as preferred stocks, convertible bonds, and bonds, make up a relatively small portion of our example portfolio. Each of these assets has its own unique characteristics and return potential.
Here's a breakdown of the different asset classes and their return potential:
It's essential to note that each asset class has its own unique characteristics, and the right allocation for you will depend on your individual financial goals and risk tolerance.
Stock Sector Breakdown
Let's take a closer look at the stock sector breakdown. The Financial Services sector accounts for 20.17% of the overall weighting, with a return range of 0.00% to 58.05%.
The Healthcare sector is a close second, making up 17.23% of the weighting. Its return range is relatively lower, from 0.00% to 30.08%.
The Industrials sector has a significant weighting of 10.44%, with a return range of 0.00% to 42.76%. This sector is likely to be volatile.
The Technology sector is also quite substantial, with a weighting of 9.60%. Its return range is impressive, from 0.00% to 54.02%.
The Energy sector has a smaller but still notable weighting of 8.59%. Its return range is similar to Technology, from 0.00% to 54.00%.
Here's a summary of the top 5 sectors by weighting:
The Real Estate sector, on the other hand, has a very small weighting of 0.38%. Its return range is surprisingly high, from 0.00% to 90.54%.
Category
When evaluating investment options, it's essential to consider the funds category. In our comparison, we looked at several equity income portfolios.
The Vanguard Variable Insurance Funds Equity Income Portfolio has a 1-year performance of 14.22.
Equity income portfolios often focus on generating consistent income while still providing growth potential.
The American Funds American Mutual Fund Class R-3 also boasts a 1-year performance of 14.22.
This aligns with the goal of many investors seeking stable returns with some potential for growth.
Eaton Vance Dividend Builder Fund Class I has a slightly higher 1-year performance of 14.23.
This fund's performance is similar to JNL/JPMorgan U.S. Value Fund Class A, which also has a 1-year performance of 14.23.
For those seeking the highest possible return, FT UBS Yld at a Res Prc EqAdvGr2023 4 RE has a 1-year performance of 14.24.
Here's a summary of the funds we compared:
Stocks vs Annuities for Retirement Income
Reaching retirement age often means you're looking for reliable income sources to support your lifestyle. If you are reaching retirement age, there is a good chance that you're considering annuities as a way to generate income.
Annuities can provide a predictable income stream, but they often come with fees and limited growth potential. The fees associated with annuities can eat into your returns, making them less attractive than other options.
Dividend stocks, on the other hand, offer a more promising alternative for retirement income. You can earn more with dividend stocks than with annuities, making them a more lucrative choice.
Investing in dividend stocks requires some research and patience, but the potential rewards are well worth the effort. By choosing the right stocks, you can create a diversified portfolio that generates consistent income and grows over time.
Fees and Charges
Vanguard Equity Income funds have a relatively low expense ratio of 0.18%, which is 81% lower than its category average.
The fund's expense ratio is comprised of various fees, including adviser fees, transfer agent fees, and custodial services fees. In fact, the total expense of the fund is 0.1733%, broken down into advisor fee expense (0.0843%), administrator fee expense (0.0818%), distribution fee expense (0.0050%), and shareholder reporting fee expense (0.0014%).
Here's a breakdown of the fund's fees:
It's worth noting that the fund's portfolio turnover rate is 48%, indicating that it holds its assets for a relatively long period of time.
Charges
The charges associated with a fund can be a significant factor in determining its overall performance and value to investors. The total expense ratio for Vanguard Equity-Income Adm is 0.1733%. This includes various fees such as advisor fee expense, administrator fee expense, and distribution fee expense.
Let's break down the specific charges:
- Advisor fee expense: 0.0843%
- Administrator fee expense: 0.0818%
- Distribution fee expense: 0.0050%
- Shareholder reporting fee expense: 0.0014%
These fees are all part of the total expense ratio of 0.1733%. It's essential to understand these charges to make informed investment decisions.
Here is a more detailed breakdown of the charges:
It's essential to review these charges and understand how they impact your investment returns. By doing so, you can make more informed decisions about your investments.
Net Income Ratio
The Net Income Ratio is a key metric to consider when evaluating fees and charges. It's calculated by dividing net income by revenue, and it's expressed as a percentage.
The Net Income Ratio for VEIPX is 2.56%. This is significantly higher than the Category Low of -1.51%. I've seen many investments with negative net income ratios, so it's impressive that VEIPX is doing better than that.
Here's a comparison of the Net Income Ratio for VEIPX with the Category High and Category Low:
VEIPX's Net Income Ratio is actually 5.37% higher than the Category High of 4.28%. This suggests that VEIPX is performing exceptionally well in terms of net income generation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Vanguard equity income a good fund?
Vanguard Equity Income has received 4 stars from Morningstar for its risk-adjusted performance, indicating a strong track record. Consider learning more about its investment strategy and performance metrics to determine if it's a good fit for your investment goals.
What is the difference between Vanguard equity income and dividend growth?
Vanguard Equity Income and Dividend Growth funds differ in their investment focus, with Equity Income focusing on large-cap value stocks and Dividend Growth holding a variety of large-cap stocks. This difference in investment approach can impact the funds' performance and suitability for individual investors.
Sources
- https://www.aaii.com/fund/ticker/VEIRX
- https://www.forbes.com/sites/investor-hub/article/best-vanguard-mutual-funds-to-invest-in/
- https://www.kiplinger.com/investing/mutual-funds/602490/4-highly-rated-vanguard-dividend-and-income-funds
- https://www.dividend.com/funds/veipx-vanguard-equity-income-inv/
- https://markets.businessinsider.com/funds/vanguard-equity-income-fund-admiral-shares-us9219213009
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