Should First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF Be on Your Investing Radar?
Overview of First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF: Launched in 2014, the RDVY ETF focuses on large-cap value stocks with a significant allocation to the Financials sector, boasting over $11.71 billion in assets and an annual expense ratio of 0.49%. It aims to match the performance of the NASDAQ US Rising Dividend Achievers Index and has shown strong returns, up approximately 23.75% over the past year.
Investment Appeal and Alternatives: The RDVY ETF is considered a solid option for investors seeking exposure to large-cap value stocks, earning a Zacks ETF Rank of 2 (Buy). Alternatives like Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF and Vanguard Value ETF are also available, offering lower expense ratios and substantial asset bases.
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- Product Innovation: Aflac's new hybrid term life and long-term care product offers genuine protection against rising elder care costs, aiming to enhance financial stability for American consumers and address the growing demand for long-term care solutions.
- Market Demand Response: With the World Health Organization projecting that 1 in 6 Americans will be over 60 by 2030, Aflac's product provides employees with flexible long-term care planning, helping them navigate life's uncertainties and strengthening the company's competitive position in the market.
- Flexible Care Options: The product allows insured individuals to receive care at home or in facilities, including informal care from family or friends, catering to those who prefer aging in familiar environments, thereby increasing customer satisfaction.
- Additional Coverage Benefits: Aflac's long-term care rider includes optional extensions of benefit periods and inflation protection, ensuring customers retain these benefits even after leaving employment, which enhances employers' ability to attract and retain talent in response to employee demands for security and choice.
- Innovative Care Product: Aflac's Group Life Term to 120 product combines long-term care (LTC) and life insurance, becoming the first workplace benefit to offer protection against rising care costs, aimed at helping American consumers maintain financial stability.
- Addressing Aging Challenges: According to the World Health Organization, by 2030, 1 in 6 people in the U.S. will be over 60, and Aflac's new product is designed to meet the growing demand for long-term care, assisting individuals in better planning for their futures.
- Flexible Care Options: The product allows insured individuals to receive care at home or in facilities, and even from family or friends, catering to many who prefer to age in familiar surroundings, thereby enhancing customer choice.
- Strategic Talent Attraction: Aflac's new offering not only provides employees with security and options but also helps employers respond to the increasing demand for employee benefits, thereby strengthening their ability to attract and retain talent.
- Ethical Company Honor: Aflac has been recognized by Ethisphere as a World's Most Ethical Company for 20 consecutive years, making it the only insurance company to achieve this distinction, which enhances its brand image and market trust.
- Community Support Commitment: Since 1995, Aflac has contributed nearly $200 million to the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, demonstrating its commitment to social responsibility, which strengthens customer loyalty and enhances public perception of the company.
- Transparency and Compliance: Aflac adheres strictly to regulatory and compliance standards, ensuring customer satisfaction and shareholder returns, thereby reinforcing its competitive advantage in the industry.
- Global Recognition: In 2026, 138 companies were honored globally, with Aflac being one of them, showcasing its excellence in ethics, compliance, and governance, indicating strong potential for sustainable growth in the future.
- Ethical Company Honor: Aflac has been recognized by Ethisphere as the World's Most Ethical Company for 20 consecutive years, making it the only insurance company to achieve this distinction, which enhances its brand image and market trust significantly.
- Community Support Commitment: Since 1995, Aflac has contributed nearly $200 million to the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, demonstrating a long-term commitment to social responsibility that strengthens customer loyalty and brand value.
- Transparency and Compliance: Aflac adheres strictly to regulatory and compliance standards, ensuring customer satisfaction and shareholder returns, which helps maintain its competitive edge in a challenging market and promotes sustainable growth.
- Global Recognition and Impact: In 2026, 138 companies were honored globally, with only six achieving this recognition for 20 years; Aflac's performance not only elevates its market position but also sets a benchmark for ethical business practices for other companies.
- Shareholder Yield Highlight: Aflac boasts an impressive 8.3% shareholder yield, nearly four times the current 2.2% dividend yield, reflecting strong performance in buybacks and dividends, with expectations for future growth in returns.
- AI Automation Advantage: Aflac has automated 54% of its 'wellness' claims, which not only speeds up claims processing but also allows human resources to be reassigned to more complex tasks, thereby reducing costs and enhancing customer satisfaction.
- Buyback Strategy Effectiveness: Over the past decade, Aflac has repurchased 38% of its shares, a strategy that has improved earnings per share and driven dividend growth, further enhancing potential returns for investors.
- Smart Management Decisions: Aflac's management accelerates buybacks during price dips while tempering them during price increases, contrasting sharply with traditional fixed buyback approaches, demonstrating a keen understanding of market dynamics.

Trade Market Trends: In 2026, the trade market has seen a shift with significant capital moving towards defensive sectors like consumer staples and industrials, as investors react to weak U.S. economic data, contrasting with previous years' trends where AI hyperscalers were more favored.
Insurance Industry Outlook: The insurance sector is experiencing a boost in long-term outlook due to improved interest rate policies and efficiency, with potential for outperformance in 2026 as companies reinvest in higher-yielding assets.
Stock Performance: Major insurance stocks have recently broken out to new 52-week highs, driven by strong earnings and a favorable market environment, indicating a shift in investor sentiment towards these traditionally stable investments.
Investment Recommendations: Analysts are recommending five specific stocks for investors to consider now, highlighting their potential for growth and stability in the current market landscape, despite broader economic uncertainties.








