SDIV: Global, High Dividend Exchange Traded Fund (ETF), Good Diversity.

Are you looking for a single ETF or mutual fund to help give you great diversification and a high dividend?  You should consider an international ETF which produces a high dividend.  SDIV, an ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) from Global-X Funds, does that.


As of June 2014, the 12 Month Dividend Yield is 6.01%.   The Total Annual Fund Operating Expense is 0.58%.     


In terms of country breakdown, 25.81% is invested in the United States, 17.85% in Australia, 9.14% in Canada, 8.14% in France, 7.69% in the U.K., 6.01% in Singapore, and so on.


In terms of industry, Financials occupies 20% of the portfolio, REITs (Real Estate Investment Trusts) 15%, Utilities 13.5%, Telecom Services, 12.2%, Mortgage REITs 10.6%, Energy 9.2%, Industrials 5.03%, Consumer Discretionary, 4.8%, Health Care 2.8%, Materials 2.7%, and Info Tech at 2.1%.  


SDIV could be a great way to get high dividend diversification.   And if you can find SDIV in a commission free program by your broker, you could invest in SDIV cheaply (because you have no commission fee) in an automatic investment plan where you invest some regular sum at regular intervals.   Watch your reinvested dividends (especially in a high dividend ETF), grow.   Experts often say that reinvested dividends is a great way to grow your money.

High Yield Savings Account Update as Fed Cuts Rates

As the Fed cuts rates aggressively, the yields of no (or low) minimum online savings accounts have gone down.

Here are a few sample high yield online savings accounts with no or very few fees and with no or low minimums.

1. Amboy Direct: APY = 4.25%


2. E*Trade Bank Complete Savings Account: APY = 4.10%


3. FNBO Direct: APY = 3.85%


4. Emigrant Direct: APY = 3.60%


5. HSBC Direct: APY = 3.55%


6. ING Direct: APY = 3.40%

Among the things to consider in choosing a high yield savings account:

1. The Yield.
   
2. The Minimum Amount Needed to Open.
   
3. What are the fees (if any)
   
4. How easy is it to use?
   
5. Is there a minimum amount you need to keep in the account to avoid a fee?
   
6. Does it have an ATM or Debit Card Feature?
   
7. Are there any fees when using the ATM?
   
8. Are there any fees when using a competitors ATM?
   
9. Is it a reputable bank?
   
10. Are they FDIC insured?
    
11. Is there a check-writing service?
    
12. How many times can you withdraw or transfer out of per month?
    
13. How easy is it to open the account?
    
14. Do you need to access the accounts online at all hours of the day? (Some sites are down for maintainance longer than others)
    
15. How good is customer support?

All the accounts mentioned above generally fit in the no fees, low minimum, FDIC insured category.

If you aren't getting those high rates, consider choosing one of the accounts above.

High Yielding Savings Accounts

If you aren't getting at least 5% on your Savings or Money Market accounts, you are throwing money away.

To find the best accounts with the best rates, you can use the online resource: BankRate.com.

Each Savings account has special rules and minimum balances, so do be careful. In general (read the fine print carefully!), these Savings accounts are FDIC insured. You normally link your Checking account (from your current Bank, for example) with the Savings account, and use the internet interface to transfer money back and forth.

While you can make unlimited deposits, these Savings Accounts have limited number of electronic transfers out of the account. Most have a limit of six electronic transfers out of the account per month.

Some of these accounts have additional features such as having an ATM attached to the account, so you can withdraw money using a normal ATM (many have unlimited withdrawals per month).

Be careful about minimum balances and fees. While most may have no minimum balance and no fees (outside of a possible ATM withdrawal fee), some may have maintainance fees if your balance falls below a certain amount.

Here are a few recommendations ranked from the best:

• HSBC Direct. Currently yielding 5.05%. FDIC insured. No monthly fees, no balance minimums. Free linked ATM card. Has a hidden feature: In some states, such as in California, you can use a Wells Fargo ATM and not get charged a fee. High reliability.
  
• E*Trade Complete Savings Account. Currently yielding 5.05%. FDIC insured. No minimums or account fees. High reliability. You can also open many other accounts here such as IRAs or Brokerage accounts.
  
• Emigrant Direct. Currently yielding 5.05%. FDIC insured. "No Fee Savings Account". They have a Mastercard 1.40% cash back offer. During maintainance periods, site can be unavailable.
  
• GMAC Bank. Currently yielding 5.30% APY on balances over $500. There is a maintainance fee if your balance goes under $500. Minimum open deposit is $500.
  

Yields can change at any time, but at this moment, there are many ways to get a great deal on a 5% or greater Savings or Money Market fund.