ETF Yield
Returns the distribution yield (dividend yield) for an Exchange Traded Fund (ETF). This represents the income return from distributions paid by the ETF over the past 12 months.
Supported Symbol Formats
| Type | Format | Example |
|---|---|---|
| US ETFs | SYMBOL | SPY, QQQ, VTI |
| Bond ETFs | SYMBOL | BND, AGG |
| Sector ETFs | SYMBOL | XLF, XLK |
| International ETFs | SYMBOL | VEA, EFA |
Notes
- Returns yield as a percentage (e.g., 1.35 means 1.35%)
- Based on trailing 12-month distributions
- Only works for ETFs, not individual stocks
Examples
When to Use
- Compare income potential across ETFs
- Screen for high-yielding ETFs
- Calculate expected dividend income
- Build income-focused portfolios
When NOT to Use
| Scenario | Use Instead |
|---|---|
| Individual stock dividend yield | DividendYield() |
| ETF expense ratio | ETF expense functions |
| Historical dividend amounts | DividendPerShare() |
| ETF total return | Total return functions |
Common Issues & FAQ
Q: Why am I getting "NA" or an error? A: Ensure the symbol is an ETF, not an individual stock. This function only works with ETFs.
Q: Why is the yield showing 0? A: Some ETFs (especially growth-focused ones) may have very low or no distributions.
Q: Is this the same as dividend yield? A: Yes, for ETFs the distribution yield is equivalent to the dividend yield - it represents income from distributions.
