Clear market notes built around the JSE, the rand, and what matters locally.

2026-07-28 10:30 • The Motley Fool Positive Axe Cap view: Selective

The Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) is recommended as the best dividend ETF for long-term investors seeking a 20-year income strategy. Unlike the Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF (VIG) and iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF (DGRO), SCHD maintains better sector balance and prioritizes dividend yield and fundamental value, with top holdings in stable consumer staples like Coca-Cola, Merck, Chevron, and Procter & Gamble that will remain relevant over decades.

Axe note: SCHD’s balanced, high-yield approach offers steady income potential over decades, making it worth watching from a rand investor’s perspective.

2026-07-28 10:28 • The Motley Fool Positive Axe Cap view: Selective

Vanguard's VDC and First Trust's FTXG are both defensive ETFs investing in consumer staples, but with different approaches. VDC offers broader diversification across 103 stocks with a lower 0.09% expense ratio and stronger 5-year returns, while FTXG concentrates on 30 food and beverage companies with a higher 2.59% dividend yield but higher 0.60% expense ratio. For most long-term investors, VDC is the more straightforward choice due to lower costs and better diversification.

Axe note: Between Vanguard’s VDC and First Trust’s FTXG, cost and diversification make VDC the smarter, safer defensive pick.

2026-07-28 10:15 • The Motley Fool Positive Axe Cap view: Selective

PepsiCo and Hasbro are highlighted as attractive high-yield dividend stocks. PepsiCo offers a 4.3% dividend yield with 54 consecutive years of dividend growth and posted 7% year-over-year revenue increase. Hasbro provides a 3.2% yield with strong earnings growth and resilient brands like Magic: The Gathering showing 32% revenue growth.

Axe note: Two US dividend stalwarts offer lessons for South African income investors.