March has seen a turbulent start, with the S&P 500 down approximately 3% as of March 18, reflecting ongoing negative sentiment stemming from geopolitical tensions in Iran, rising oil prices, elevated inflation, and a weak job market. This environment has left investors seeking stability in their portfolios, prompting interest in exchange-traded funds (ETFs) designed to perform well during market downturns.
Three notable ETFs stand out in this context: the Franklin International Low Volatility High Dividend ETF (LVHI), which is up 8.3% year-to-date, focuses on high-dividend international stocks; the Franklin U.S. Low Volatility High Dividend ETF (LVHD), which has gained 7.2% year-to-date and emphasizes U.S. stocks with stable earnings; and the Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF (VDC), which has returned 7% year-to-date by investing in essential consumer goods companies.
For professionals navigating this volatile market, these ETFs may offer a strategic way to mitigate risks while maintaining exposure to dividend-paying stocks across diverse sectors.
Source: fool.com