Mergent Launches Three New ETFs

Mergent has launched three new exchange-traded funds that are based on its dividend achievers methodology, whereby the funds invest in companies that have increased their dividends for at least the past 10 years. The funds began trading on the American Stock Exchange on Sept. 15.

The new ETFs include the Broad Dividend Achievers Portfolio, the High Growth Rate Dividend Portfolio and the International Dividend Achievers Portfolio. PowerShares Capital Management will manage all three funds.

Including Mergent's existing High Yield Dividend Portfolio, the firm now offers four dividend achievers-based ETFs.

The Broad Dividend Achievers Fund promises growth and income. It is a total return fund that tracks the performance of Mergent's Broad Dividend Achievers Index, which has outperformed the Standard & Poor's 500 Index in the five-, 10-, 15- and 20-year periods ended Aug. 31.

The High Growth Rate Fund is for those who hope for capital gains and tracks the High Dividend Growth Rate Dividend Achievers Index.

The International Dividend Achievers looks for international stocks with cheaper valuations than those trading on domestic exchanges, and it tracks the International Dividend Achieves Index.