Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF (VIG) favored for quality, low fees, and steady returns over high-yield alternatives.

The Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF (VIG) is popular among investors who prioritize low-cost, quality-focused dividend investing. It tracks companies with at least 10 years of consecutive dividend growth, excluding the highest-yielding 25% to avoid risky yield traps. VIG holds 332 mainly large-cap stocks with strong fundamentals, offering a 1.56% yield and a 13.06% annualized return over the past decade. Its low 0.04% expense ratio and focus on total return make it a favored choice for those seeking stable growth without high fees or excessive risk from tech-heavy indexes.