# US dividend ETFs compared for UAE and NRI investors

Source page: https://www.rudowealth.com/etf/category/us-dividend-etfs

ETFs that hold companies chosen for paying or growing dividends. For a UAE resident, US dividends usually have 30% withheld, which matters more here than for other equity funds.

| # | Ticker | ETF | Domicile | Currency | 1Y | 3Y (annualised) | 5Y (annualised) | Volatility 3Y | Worst fall 5Y | Expense ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | [VIG](https://www.rudowealth.com/etf/VIG) | Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF | US | USD | +8.9% | +16.6% | +10.2% | 12.2% | -20.4% | 0.04% |
| 2 | [SCHD](https://www.rudowealth.com/etf/SCHD) | Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF | US | USD | +23.9% | +16.1% | +8.9% | 13.2% | -16.8% | 0.06% |
| 3 | [VYM](https://www.rudowealth.com/etf/VYM) | Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF | US | USD | +12.6% | +18.5% | +11.1% | 12.5% | -15.8% | 0.04% |
| 4 | [DGRO](https://www.rudowealth.com/etf/DGRO) | iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF | US | USD | +12.3% | +18.0% | +10.5% | 11.8% | -19.3% | 0.08% |
| 5 | [CGDV](https://www.rudowealth.com/etf/CGDV) | Capital Group Dividend Value ETF | US | USD | +15.9% | +24.6% | N/A | 13.8% | -21.8% | 0.33% |
| 6 | [RDVY](https://www.rudowealth.com/etf/RDVY) | First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF | US | USD | +17.4% | +21.7% | +11.8% | 16.6% | -25.3% | 0.47% |
| 7 | [VYMI](https://www.rudowealth.com/etf/VYMI) | Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF | US | USD | +23.8% | +23.4% | +13.5% | 13.7% | -24.0% | 0.07% |
| 8 | [DVY](https://www.rudowealth.com/etf/DVY) | iShares Select Dividend ETF | US | USD | +11.0% | +17.2% | +9.1% | 13.8% | -17.5% | 0.38% |
| 9 | [SDY](https://www.rudowealth.com/etf/SDY) | State Street SPDR S&P Dividend ETF | US | USD | +7.1% | +11.9% | +6.7% | 12.2% | -15.2% | 0.35% |
| 10 | [DGRW](https://www.rudowealth.com/etf/DGRW) | WisdomTree U.S. Quality Dividend Growth Fund | US | USD | +10.5% | +16.9% | +12.0% | 12.6% | -17.3% | 0.28% |
| 11 | [HDV](https://www.rudowealth.com/etf/HDV) | iShares Core High Dividend ETF | US | USD | +18.6% | +17.0% | +11.6% | 11.6% | -15.4% | 0.08% |

Ordered by fund size, largest first. Total returns with dividends reinvested, in each listing's currency. Leveraged and inverse ETFs are not included.

What differs for an investor living in the UAE:
- US estate tax: a US-domiciled ETF counts as a US asset. For a person who is not a US citizen or resident, US estate tax can apply above US$60,000 of US assets, at rates that rise to 40%. Ireland-domiciled UCITS ETFs are generally not treated as US assets for this tax.
- Tax on US dividends: the UAE has no income tax treaty with the United States, so US dividends paid to a UAE resident usually have 30% withheld. An Irish UCITS fund pays 15% on the US dividends it receives, under the US and Ireland treaty.
- The outcome depends on your nationality, residence and facts, so confirm your own position with a tax adviser. Sources: IRS (https://www.irs.gov/individuals/international-taxpayers/some-nonresidents-with-us-assets-must-file-estate-tax-returns; https://www.irs.gov/businesses/international-businesses/united-states-income-tax-treaties-a-to-z).

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RuDo Wealth is a fee-only cross-border advisory operating through two separate companies. India: RuDo Wealth Investment Advisory, SEBI Registered Investment Adviser, registration INA000019503. UAE: RuDo Digital Wealth, FSRA Financial Services Permission 220155, Category 3C (Retail), ADGM. The entity permitted to serve you depends on your country of residence.

General information, not a recommendation to buy or sell any fund. Past performance does not indicate future returns.