RDVY ETF Explained: Returns, Expense Ratio, Holdings and Alternative ETFs
The First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF (RDVY) is a dividend growth ETF that selects US companies with a record of steadily raising their dividends. It focuses on rising dividend trends and financial health rather than simply high yields, and the fee gap versus SCHD and VIG is a key point of comparison.
SubscribeWhat Is the First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF?
This is a dividend growth thematic ETF that tracks the Nasdaq US Rising Dividend Achievers Index. Using a rules-based approach, it selects US companies that have increased their dividends in recent years and show healthy debt ratios and manageable dividend payouts relative to earnings.
It values a rising dividend trend and financial soundness over simple high yield, making it well suited to medium- and long-term investors seeking both dividends and growth potential.
It is a passive (index-tracking) ETF managed by First Trust.
How Does the First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF Invest?
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Tracking Index | Nasdaq US Rising Dividend Achievers Index |
| Management Style | Passive (rules-based index tracking) |
| Rebalancing Frequency | Semiannual |
| Dividend Frequency | Quarterly |
| Manager | First Trust |
| Total Expense Ratio | 0.47% |
From US companies with a history of dividend increases, the fund uses rules to screen for those with healthy payout ratios and debt levels, and holds them in a relatively even-weighted manner. The key point is that it focuses on companies with the capacity to keep raising dividends, not simply those with high current dividends.
- Selection criteria that weigh both dividend growth trends and financial health
- A focus on dividend growth rather than high yield
First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF Size and Costs (AUM and Management Fee)
Assets under management (AUM) are $25.2B, and the total expense ratio is 0.47% per year.
Compared with SCHD and VIG in the same dividend category, it differs in its stock selection method and fee level.
First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF Performance and Trends
1-Year Price Performance
Dividend & Yield
52-Week Price RangeGiven its dividend growth theme, performance tends to vary across market phases depending on its weighting in cyclical sectors such as financials and industrials. Short-term results are also affected by the interest rate environment and earnings seasons.
Fund flows tend to continue as investors seek a balance between dividends and growth, but they can shift with the direction of interest rates and changes in investor appetite for dividend stocks. The fund moves together with the broader environment for dividend ETFs.
First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF Pros and Cons
Its strength lies in selection criteria that weigh both dividend growth and financial health, while the fee and sector concentration are points to check in advance.
💪 Key Strengths
⚠️ Points to Note
First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF Alternative ETFs and Related Products
SCHD, VIG, VYM and others shown in the table are leading ETFs in the same US dividend category, and they differ from RDVY in stock selection method, fees and dividend orientation. For direct comparison with a dividend growth focus, you can also consider DGRO, as well as NOBL, which includes only companies with consecutive dividend increases. It is worth comparing whether each fund's selection criteria suit your own investment style.
Peer Comparison ETFs| Ticker | Name | Price | Change | AUM | Total Expense Ratio | Dividend Yield | 1Y |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 SCHD | Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF | $35.30 | +0.1% | $118.7B | 0.06% | 2.98% | +30.6% |
 VIG | Vanguard Dividend Appreciation FTF | $244.43 | +0.5% | $113.7B | 0.04% | 1.49% | +11.9% |
 VYM | Vanguard High Dividend Yield Indx ETF | $162.41 | +0.6% | $82.1B | 0.04% | 2.26% | +14.7% |
 DVY | iShares Select Dividend ETF | $161.22 | -0.0% | $23.5B | 0.38% | 3.31% | +13.1% |
 SDY | State Street SPDR S&P Dividend ETF | $158.51 | +0.1% | $22.0B | 0.35% | 2.38% | +13.6% |
Top Holdings| Ticker | Name | Weight | Price | Change | Market Cap | P/E | Dividend Yield |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AMAT | Applied Materials Inc | 0.08% | $387.59 | +2.7% | $307.6B | 33.4 | 0.5% |
| LRCX | Lam Research Corp | 0.08% | $237.37 | +3.2% | $297.0B | 35.3 | 0.55% |
| KLAC | KLA Corp | 0.07% | $149.21 | +2.5% | $194.7B | 40.7 | 0.62% |
| GEV | GE Vernova Inc | 0.06% | $855.12 | +4.9% | $227.7B | 24.5 | 0.23% |
| ROST | Ross Stores Inc | 0.03% | $234.11 | +2.1% | $74.8B | 28.3 | 0.76% |
| BKR | Baker Hughes Co | 0.02% | $56.04 | +0.3% | $55.6B | 18.0 | 1.66% |
First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF Investor Checkpoints
Here are the points to review before investing in RDVY. It is an attractive dividend growth thematic ETF, but beyond whether its stock selection method suits your style, it is wise to check the fee burden, sector concentration and currency exposure before holding it for the long term.
| Checkpoint | What to Check | Current Status |
|---|---|---|
| 💵 Expense Ratio | Check the cumulative cost impact over a long holding period | Somewhat high |
| 📈 Selection Criteria | Check whether the dividend growth focused selection method suits your style | Needs checking |
| 📊 Sector Weighting | Review the degree of concentration in particular sectors | Needs checking |
| 💱 Exchange Rate | Impact on returns converted into Korean won | Not currency hedged |
Sector concentration and exchange rate fluctuations are the main drivers of short-term volatility. Even with a dividend growth theme, short-term losses can occur during market corrections, so this should be weighed together with the fee burden.
This ETF's strength is a selection strategy that weighs both dividend growth and financial health. If high dividends themselves are the priority, compare options such as SCHD and VYM. If you value the momentum of dividend growth, compare products such as RDVY and DGRO before choosing.
SubscribeDisclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. All investment responsibility lies with the investor.
This article reflects information as of June 21, 2026.
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