vanguard ftse all world high dividend yield ucits etf holdings

If you’re curious about the Vanguard FTSE All World High Dividend Yield UCITS ETF holdings, you’re not alone. This fund is pretty popular among folks wanting to collect steady dividends from a wide range of global companies. It’s been around since 2013 and is managed by Vanguard, so it’s got some history. The ETF is all about picking stocks from around the world that pay higher-than-average dividends. With thousands of holdings and billions in assets, it’s a big player in the dividend ETF space. Let’s break down what’s inside, how it’s structured, and what you should know if you’re thinking of investing.

Key Takeaways

• The Vanguard FTSE All World High Dividend Yield UCITS ETF holds over 2,000 stocks from around the globe, focusing on companies with above-average dividends.

• Financials, industrials, and consumer staples make up a big chunk of the ETF’s sector exposure, with the United States leading in country allocation.

• The top 10 holdings, like JPMorgan Chase, Exxon Mobil, and Johnson & Johnson, account for just over 11% of the portfolio, keeping the fund well-diversified.

• Dividends are paid out quarterly, and the fund’s yield has hovered around 3% in recent years, which is competitive with other global dividend ETFs.

• With a low total expense ratio of 0.29% and lots of broker and savings plan options, the ETF is accessible and cost-effective for most investors.

Overview Of Vanguard FTSE All World High Dividend Yield UCITS ETF Holdings

Purpose and Strategy of the ETF

If you’re hunting for steady dividend income without wanting to pick individual stocks around the globe, this ETF tries to solve that. The Vanguard FTSE All-World High Dividend Yield UCITS ETF gives investors access to a blend of high-dividend companies across both developed and emerging markets. Its main aim is to track the performance of the FTSE All-World High Dividend Yield Index, which basically screens for firms with above-average dividend yields and leaves out REITs entirely. Here’s a quick rundown of why some folks turn to it:

• Broad geographic and sector spread—no putting all eggs in one basket

• Automatic inclusion of some of the world’s most established dividend payers

• Quarterly income payouts, perfect if you’re looking for some regular cash flow

One thing to keep in mind: The ETF doesn’t guarantee higher performance than just holding an ordinary global index fund, but it can provide more stable income streams thanks to how it’s built.

Assets Under Management and Fund Structure

Now for the numbers: The ETF is huge, with assets under management (AUM) of about EUR 5.85 billion as of late August 2025. It’s structured as an open-ended investment company (OEIC) and meets all UCITS requirements, so it follows strict European rules around transparency, safety, and liquidity.

Here’s a short table to lay out the basics:

Factor	Detail
Fund size (AUM)	€5,851 million
Launch date	21 May 2013
Domicile	Ireland
Dividend policy	Distributing (quarterly payments)
Legal structure	OEIC (UCITS-compliant)
Fund currency	USD
Ongoing charges (TER)	0.29% per year

For more on the price and holdings, check the in-depth breakdown at portfolio composition and costs.

Physical Replication Method Explained

Instead of using swaps or similar tricks, this ETF uses physical replication—although with an optimized sampling approach. That means it doesn’t buy every single company in the benchmark (there are thousands), but instead picks a broad, representative slice that matches the index as closely as possible.

Here’s how the physical replication process usually goes:

1. Vanguard identifies the most important and influential stocks for matching the index.

2. The fund buys these companies directly (rather than using financial derivatives).

3. Adjustments are made over time to keep up with index changes, keeping costs low and tracking error minimal.

This approach means you actually own shares in real businesses, not just paper promises or swap contracts. It also helps lower risk and keeps things more transparent for investors.

Analyzing The Largest Holdings In The ETF Portfolio

Top 10 Company Holdings and Weightings

The Vanguard FTSE All World High Dividend Yield UCITS ETF puts its money into hundreds of companies, but just a handful make up a core chunk of the value. Right now, the top 10 holdings comprise a bit over 11% of the whole portfolio. For context, here are the current leaders:

Company	Sector	Portfolio Weight
JPMorgan Chase & Co	Financial Services	2.4%
Exxon Mobil Corp	Energy	1.4%
Johnson & Johnson	Healthcare	1.2%
Home Depot	Consumer Cyclical	1.2%
AbbVie Inc	Healthcare	1.1%
Procter & Gamble	Consumer Defensive	1.1%
Bank of America	Financial Services	1.0%
Chevron Corp	Energy	0.9%
Cisco Systems	Technology	0.8%
Coca-Cola Co	Consumer Defensive	0.8%

That’s a pretty even split across giants in finance, energy, and consumer goods. The ETF doesn’t bet the farm on any single company—at over 2,100 companies held, it spreads out risk well.

Sector Exposure Among Major Holdings

Looking at what sectors these top companies belong to gives you a sense of what drives results for the ETF. Here’s how the top names line up by sector:

• Financials (like JPMorgan and Bank of America) make up the largest chunk in the top 10.

• Energy (Exxon and Chevron) still has a solid presence.

• Consumer Defensive and Healthcare (Procter & Gamble, Johnson & Johnson, AbbVie, Coca-Cola) are also well represented.

Here’s a quick rundown in a table:

Sector	Portion of Top 10 Holdings
Financials	2 companies
Energy	2 companies
Healthcare	2 companies
Consumer Defensive	2 companies
Consumer Cyclical	1 company
Technology	1 company

If you’re hoping for stability and solid dividend streams, having a mix across sectors like this can help cushion you when one industry hits a rough patch.

Recent Changes in Portfolio Constituents

The mix of holdings in this ETF is rarely static—every quarter, there’s a review and adjustments. Here’s what’s been happening recently:

1. Minor tweaks to proportions, mainly driven by changing company valuations or payouts.

2. Occasional additions of new up-and-coming dividend payers, especially outside of the US, as the index adapts.

3. A few exits from the top 10 club, often because the company’s dividend is cut or its value slips relative to others.

Keep in mind, the fund doesn’t make big, wild swings. Changes are gradual, but they do add up over time. This steady turnover works behind the scenes to help keep the focus on strong, consistent dividend payers.

Geographic Distribution Of ETF Investments

When you look at the Vanguard FTSE All World High Dividend Yield UCITS ETF, the first thing that pops out is its global reach. Unlike single-country products, this ETF puts your money to work across dozens of economies, balancing risk and opportunity in one package.

Country Breakdown of Fund Assets

The ETF doesn’t just focus on one region. Here’s a quick rundown of its main country allocations, as of late August 2025:

Country	Allocation (%)
United States	39.43
Japan	8.89
United Kingdom	6.81
Switzerland	4.44
Other Countries	40.43

• The United States commands the largest slice, making up nearly 40% of the fund’s assets.

• Japan and the UK follow, together adding up to about 15%.

• Switzerland is a strong European player with a little over 4%.

• The remaining chunk is broadly diversified, covering both emerging and developed markets.

This spread matches the global coverage of the FTSE All-World Total Net Return Index.

Regional Trends and Exposure Risks

The international mix comes with both perks and pitfalls:

1. America’s big presence means returns often mirror the US market.

2. Exposure to Asia (thanks to Japan and various ‘Other’ countries) cushions the effect when Western markets struggle.

3. There’s built-in protection if a single region hits a rough patch, but the flip side is you’re also open to all sorts of global economic shocks.

• Exchange rate swings can impact overall returns.

• Emerging markets offer growth but can be unstable.

• Changes in foreign tax policies sometimes lower net yields.

Influence of Geographic Allocation on Yield

Geographic allocation is key for dividend hunters. Different parts of the world tend to have different payout habits and tax rules:

• US companies often pay reliable, moderate dividends, but with strong stability.

• UK companies can have higher yields but more year-to-year variation.

• Parts of Asia and Europe—especially Switzerland—are popular for consistent, shareholder-friendly payouts.

Sometimes, the blend of countries boosts the net yield, but it can also pull it down when one big market cuts its dividends.

The bottom line: this ETF spreads bets across many regions, helping even out the ride while aiming to deliver steady income from companies all over the globe.

Sector Composition Within The Fund

The Vanguard FTSE All-World High Dividend Yield UCITS ETF focuses on a mix of industries, helping smooth out risk and giving a broader pool of dividend payers. Let’s look at the key sectors, check out which ones have more weight, and see how that could affect the fund’s income.

Key Sectors Represented in the Portfolio

Here’s how the fund is split across different sectors:

Sector	Approximate Weight (%)
Financials	29
Industrials	11
Consumer Staples	9
Health Care	9
Energy	8
Others	34

Financials have the largest role in this ETF, making up close to a third of the portfolio. These tend to be banks, insurers, and other money-related businesses. The rest is spread out — you can spot industrial groups, companies making everyday goods, health care, energy, and lots of smaller chunks in things like tech or communication.

Financials, Industrials and Energy Focus

When you drill down into the ETF’s biggest holdings, three sectors clearly stand out:

• Financials: This covers large, dividend-paying banks like JPMorgan Chase and Bank of America.

• Industrials: Includes companies from areas such as construction, shipping, or manufacturing.

• Energy: Think of major players like Exxon Mobil and Chevron, who have long paid steady dividends.

The fund’s tilt towards financials comes with more exposure to any changes in regulations or interest rates, while energy stocks can swing with commodity prices.

Impact of Sector Weights on Dividend Yield

The big bet on financials and energy changes how the ETF behaves — especially if you’re depending on yield. Here’s what happens:

• Sectors like financials and energy usually offer higher dividend payouts than, say, technology or growth stocks.

• If banks do well, the fund’s dividend yield can go up. If the energy market suffers, yields there can slip.

• Having some health care and consumer stocks helps buffer the ride, giving stability when other areas hit bumps.

A fund that weighs more heavily in these sectors can often give investors a more reliable income stream, but watch out: too much of one thing can mean taking on extra risks if that whole sector runs into trouble. For an overview of how dividend index funds compare when it comes to building a steady income stream and managing risk, see this summary of dividend index fund strategies.

Dividend Distribution And Yield Performance

Quarterly Payment Schedule

The Vanguard FTSE All World High Dividend Yield UCITS ETF pays out dividends four times a year, usually in March, June, September, and December. This regularity can make cash flow planning smoother for investors who rely on passive income.

The schedule tends to be pretty reliable, but payout dates can shift around public holidays or settlement requirements. The distribution is calculated based on the income received from the underlying companies, minus fees and costs.

Some things investors should be aware of:

• The dividend amount is not fixed from quarter to quarter.

• Investors must hold shares by a set date (the ex-dividend date) to receive payments.

• Dividend income is paid in the ETF’s base currency, which can affect non-USD holders due to currency shifts.

For anyone seeking regular payouts, this ETF feels dependable—sort of like clockwork, provided you’re not expecting the exact same amount every time.

Historical Dividend Yield Trends

Looking back over the last few years, the fund’s yield has stayed fairly stable with minor ups and downs depending on company profits and global events. The yield is calculated by dividing the annual payout by the ETF’s price.

Year	Dividend (EUR)	Dividend Yield (%)
2021	1.72	3.75
2022	2.08	3.67
2023	1.93	3.54
2024	1.94	3.41
Last 12m	2.00	3.15

Yield figures can jump or drop a bit each year, especially when broader markets move quickly, but the ETF stays firmly in that high yield zone compared to most broad equity funds.

Yield Comparison with Similar Dividend ETFs

How does the yield stack up with other global high-dividend options?

• Vanguard’s yield hovers around 3% to 3.5% in most years.

• Some regional high-dividend funds (like in emerging markets) can show higher yields, but often have more risk or higher volatility.

• Larger, global dividend ETFs from other issuers rarely push past 4% unless taking on extra income risk.

A quick comparison:

ETF	Recent Yield (%)	Distribution Frequency
Vanguard FTSE All-World High Div Yld	3.1 – 3.5	Quarterly
iShares Global Select Dividend 100	3.5 – 4.0	Semi-annual
SPDR S&P Global Dividend Aristocrats	3.2 – 3.7	Quarterly

So, if you want steady global equity income without chasing the highest possible yield, Vanguard’s approach is steady and predictable.

Risk Metrics And Volatility Analysis

Looking at risk for the Vanguard FTSE All World High Dividend Yield UCITS ETF isn’t just about stats—it’s about understanding what you might actually experience as an investor. Here, I break down how this ETF’s price shifts, how bad the worst drops have been, and what you really get for the risk you take.

Annualized Volatility Over Time

Annualized volatility tracks how much the ETF’s price moves up and down over a set period. If you’re holding onto this ETF, knowing those swings can help set your expectations.

Period	Volatility (%)
1 year	12.16
3 years	11.17
5 years	11.52

• Volatility isn’t extreme, but it does suggest regular double-digit percentage swings each year.

• Over the past three years, things have calmed a bit compared to the five-year average.

• Short-term shocks can still pop up, especially during sudden global events.

Drawdown Statistics Since Inception

Maximum drawdown measures the biggest drop from a peak to a trough—think, “worst case scenario if you bought right at the top.”

Period	Max Drawdown (%)
1, 3, 5 years	-14.79
Since inception	-35.26

This means an investor could have lost over a third of their investment from the highest to lowest point since the ETF started. Drawdowns are an important lens—during market panics, dividend stocks aren’t immune to falling hard.

Risk-Adjusted Returns Explained

When people talk about “risk-adjusted returns,” they’re looking at how much return you get per unit of risk. For this ETF, let’s glance at the numbers:

Period	Return per Risk
1 year	0.80
3 years	1.04
5 years	1.19

Higher is better: the ETF has improved its reward for risk over the past five years, but in the short term, it fluctuates—don’t expect consistent, smooth upward moves.

• The ratio above 1.0 suggests the returns have kept up with the volatility, especially longer-term.

• Ratios below 1.0 in short windows mean reward hasn’t always outpaced the risk.

• Like most broad equity funds, patience tends to pay off, but big shocks can throw the ratio off for a while.

The ETF’s volatility is moderate for global stocks, but you should still brace for double-digit moves up or down each year—especially if you’re watching the day-to-day prices. Over time, though, the balance between risk and reward has been reasonable.

Cost Structure And Investment Accessibility

Total Expense Ratio and Ongoing Charges

The Vanguard FTSE All-World High Dividend Yield UCITS ETF stands out for its low-cost structure. The total expense ratio (TER) is just 0.29% per year, which is taken directly out of the fund so you don’t see a separate bill for it. These ongoing fees are among the lowest in global equity income ETFs. Besides the TER, you won’t encounter entry or exit charges with this ETF.

Cost Component	Amount
Total Expense Ratio	0.29% p.a.
Entry Charge	0%
Exit Charge	0%

Savings Plan and Broker Fee Options

Buying this ETF is pretty straightforward, especially with the increasing number of platforms offering zero-commission deals. Here’s what you usually find:

• Some brokers charge no fees for setting up an ETF savings plan (some are as low as €0)

• Order fees for one-off purchases vary (commonly between €0 and €1 per trade)

• Savings plans are widely available across European platforms—automate monthly investing with as little as €25

Broker	Savings Plan Fee	Trade Fee	Number of Plans
Broker A	€0	€0	1,451
Broker B	€0.99	€0.99	2,840
Broker C	€1.00	€1.00	2,398

Getting started is simpler than ever—most online brokers these days let you buy this ETF in a few clicks, without digging through complicated fee lists.

Replication and Administrative Details

This ETF uses physical replication rather than synthetic methods, so it actually holds the stocks in the index directly instead of derivatives. Here’s what this means for the average investor:

1. Simpler and more transparent investment structure

2. Lower counterparty risk compared to synthetic funds

3. Securities lending may be used for some extra income, but this doesn’t affect management’s main responsibility to track the index

Administrative details like custody, registration, and reporting—mainly handled by global firms like Brown Brothers Harriman and KPMG—won’t really impact most investors, but they do show that the fund is set up with professional oversight. If you care about taxes, the fund does provide reporting for different countries (like the UK, Germany, or Switzerland), which can make your paperwork less of a hassle.

All in all, this ETF keeps fees low, offers good access across different platforms, and runs in a straightforward, transparent manner.

Conclusion

So, after looking at the Vanguard FTSE All-World High Dividend Yield UCITS ETF and its holdings, it’s clear why so many folks consider it for their portfolios. The ETF spreads its bets across a bunch of big companies from all over the world, and it’s got a pretty solid track record when it comes to paying out dividends. The costs are low, which is always nice, and you don’t have to worry about picking individual stocks. Of course, like any investment, it has its ups and downs—returns can swing, and there’s always some risk. But if you’re after steady income and a bit of global exposure, this ETF is worth a look. Just remember to do your own research and make sure it fits with your goals before jumping in.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Vanguard FTSE All-World High Dividend Yield UCITS ETF?

The Vanguard FTSE All-World High Dividend Yield UCITS ETF is a fund that invests in stocks from around the world that pay higher-than-average dividends. It tries to follow the FTSE All-World High Dividend Yield Index by picking a wide range of companies that pay good dividends.

How often does this ETF pay dividends?

This ETF pays out dividends four times a year, which means investors receive payments every quarter. These payments come from the dividends collected from the companies the ETF invests in.

What are the main countries and sectors in this ETF?

Most of the ETF’s money is invested in companies from the United States, Japan, and the United Kingdom. The biggest sectors in the fund are financials, industrials, and consumer goods.

How much does it cost to invest in this ETF?

The total expense ratio (TER) for this ETF is 0.29% per year. This fee is taken out of the fund’s assets, so you don’t have to pay it separately.

How risky is the Vanguard FTSE All-World High Dividend Yield UCITS ETF?

Like most stock funds, this ETF can go up and down in value. Its risk is measured by how much its price moves over time. In the past year, its volatility was about 12%. The biggest loss from top to bottom since the fund started is about 35%.

Where can I buy this ETF and are there savings plans available?

You can buy this ETF through many online brokers. Some brokers offer savings plans that let you invest small amounts regularly, and some even let you invest with no extra fees.