iShares Core High Dividend ETF offers steady 3% yield but lags peers in growth and total returns.

The iShares Core High Dividend ETF (HDV) provides a consistent 3% dividend yield with monthly payouts since July, making it a practical choice for income-focused investors. However, it underperforms compared to similar ETFs like SCHD and DGRO in terms of long-term total returns and dividend growth. Its recent 5-year outperformance was largely due to a surge in energy stocks and a tech sell-off in 2022, trends unlikely to continue. HDV's defensive sector focus and low tech exposure offer diversification benefits, but investors should be cautious due to its slower dividend growth compared to peers.