05-19-2014, 01:33 PM
(This post was last modified: 05-19-2014, 01:34 PM by hendi_alex.)
In general, I prefer to cherry pick from the top holdings of such funds. For example, here are the top ten for VIG, according to Yahool
Top 10 Holdings (36.28% of Total Assets)
Company Symbol % Assets
International Business Machines IBM 4.13
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. Common St WMT 4.07
Exxon Mobil Corporation Common XOM 4.03
Coca-Cola Company (The) Common KO 4.02
Pepsico, Inc. Common Stock PEP 3.87
QUALCOMM Incorporated QCOM 3.86
Johnson & Johnson Common Stock JNJ 3.64
United Technologies Corporation UTX 3.25
3M Company Common Stock MMM 2.74
CVS Caremark Corporation Common CVS 2.67
IMO one could pick about 5 tickers from above and have perhaps 90% of the diversification benefit of the fund. At the same time one could get by on just viewing a few favorite metrics and cherry pick. Perhaps look at current yield, debt load, dividend coverage, dividend growth rate. Then over time, accumulate additional information at your leisure, accumulating more shares or substituting a more attractive company when assessment dictates such.
Top 10 Holdings (36.28% of Total Assets)
Company Symbol % Assets
International Business Machines IBM 4.13
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. Common St WMT 4.07
Exxon Mobil Corporation Common XOM 4.03
Coca-Cola Company (The) Common KO 4.02
Pepsico, Inc. Common Stock PEP 3.87
QUALCOMM Incorporated QCOM 3.86
Johnson & Johnson Common Stock JNJ 3.64
United Technologies Corporation UTX 3.25
3M Company Common Stock MMM 2.74
CVS Caremark Corporation Common CVS 2.67
IMO one could pick about 5 tickers from above and have perhaps 90% of the diversification benefit of the fund. At the same time one could get by on just viewing a few favorite metrics and cherry pick. Perhaps look at current yield, debt load, dividend coverage, dividend growth rate. Then over time, accumulate additional information at your leisure, accumulating more shares or substituting a more attractive company when assessment dictates such.
Alex