Latest news with #Schwab
Time of India
25 minutes ago
- Business
- Time of India
WEF spat heats up as founder Klaus Schwab denies misconduct
"I am in a position to refute all the accusations brought up against me," Schwab said in a statement, responding to a report in SonntagsZeitung. The Swiss newspaper said preliminary findings by Swiss law firm Homburger support allegations that Schwab manipulated economic reports published by the forum and submitted unjustifiably high expense claims. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads ZURICH: World Economic Forum founder Klaus Schwab denied allegations of misconduct that were reportedly substantiated by a formal investigation and accused the board of trustees of violating an agreement regarding media discretion on the matter."I am in a position to refute all the accusations brought up against me," Schwab said in a statement, responding to a report in SonntagsZeitung. The Swiss newspaper said preliminary findings by Swiss law firm Homburger support allegations that Schwab manipulated economic reports published by the forum and submitted unjustifiably high expense investigation, commissioned by the WEF's board of trustees, is examining a range of accusations against the 87-year-old, including claims he used the forum's resources for personal abruptly resigned from the WEF in April after the misconduct allegations emerged, sparking a clash with the board. A successor has yet to be figures linked to the role have included BlackRock Vice Chairman and former Swiss National Bank President Philipp Hildebrand , who joined the board of trustees in May, and European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde , who until recently was considered the top candidate by both Schwab and the organization, Bloomberg previously has said she first intends to complete her ECB term, which runs until October WEF board of directors is currently led by former Nestle Chairman Peter Brabeck-Letmathe on an interim his statement Sunday, Schwab said he made himself available for an interview with Homburger on July 15. He was told he would have access to a draft of the report to respond to the allegations. He has yet to see a draft, a spokesperson added in a separate statement."In this respect I feel deceived," Schwab said. "I am willing to defend my interests with all my strength, even in the context of a legal dispute."A WEF spokesperson declined to comment when contacted by Bloomberg, stating that the organization would respond once the investigation concludes, likely at the end of SonntagsZeitung report intensifies an ongoing dispute between Schwab and the board of trustees at WEF and comes just weeks after the two parties issued a joint statement claiming they were working toward "normalizing" their relationship and resolving the to excerpts cited by the newspaper, Homburger's investigation found that Schwab repeatedly intervened to influence country rankings in the WEF's Global Competitiveness Report for political investigation also scrutinized some 900,000 Swiss francs ($1.12 million) in expenses submitted by Schwab and his wife Hilde that allegedly lacked sufficient ties to WEF activities, the newspaper said.
Yahoo
42 minutes ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Best International Equity ETFs of 2025
Photo by Antoine Schibler via Unsplash ETFs are booming in the US, but that doesn't mean investors are keeping their investments stateside. International equity ETFs that invest in publicly traded companies have surged this year, posting returns of 20% or more and cementing international funds at the top of the heap of the best performing funds of 2025's first half. The massive gains were due to overperforming European markets and strong performing sectors in other countries. The outperformance in Europe, relative to both the US and international stocks more broadly, can be attributed to an 'increased willingness' for those countries to invest in companies that help drive economic growth, said Zachary Evens, a Morningstar research analyst. 'Banks and utilities and industrials and communication service companies, like telecoms, these companies are more boring,' he said. 'They don't typically grow very fast, but they benefit from broad economic growth, so a lot of the outperformance has been concentrated in some of those stocks.' READ ALSO: Why Invesco Wants QQQ to Become an Open-End Fund and Bitcoin with Bubblewrap: Calamos Preps Laddered ETFs Across The Pond European stocks have outperformed their US counterparts for the past three years, reversing a trend of US dominance that began following the Great Recession, with the MSCI EMU Index outpacing the S&P 500 by more than 35 percentage points since 2022, according to Schwab. International stocks in general have also beaten American stocks, as measured by the MSCI EAFE Index. Some of the top-performing international markets ETFs so far this year are: The Schwab International Dividend Equity ETF (SCHY), which tracks a market-cap-weighted index of foreign stocks and had YTD returns of 20.7%. The Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS), which has an expense ratio of .05% and holds more than 8,600 stocks in companies from both developed and emerging markets. It posted YTD returns of 18.3%. The SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF (SPEM), which tracks emerging markets in countries like China, India, Brazil, South Africa, and Mexico and had YTD returns of 14.3%. Still, diversification is key to avoiding region-specific downturns. 'If Spain grows by a lot, but France falters, then diversification will even that out… That also goes for the sector side,' said Evens. 'You would be better suited to be more diversified across sectors and countries to minimize those negative impacts.' All Hail the Sector. Sector performance tends to be the main driver of stock performance, with US markets leaning heavily on tech companies in recent years. Still, outside factors — inflation, political deals, tariffs — have an impact on sectors, which in turn affects markets, according to Evens. 'What impacts the performance of those sectors would be more idiosyncratic risks or geopolitical factors, or economic factors,' he said. 'Weighing those is how investors can think about potential outperformance or underperformance of the respective markets.' This post first appeared on The Daily Upside. To receive exclusive news and analysis of the rapidly evolving ETF landscape, built for advisors and capital allocators, subscribe to our free ETF Upside newsletter.
Globe and Mail
2 hours ago
- Business
- Globe and Mail
2 High-Yield Dividend ETFs That Could Deliver Steady Income for Decades
Key Points The Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF and Fidelity High Dividend Yield ETF both offer fat payouts. The Schwab ETF has increased its dividend by more than 160% over the past decade. Fidelity's ETF has outperformed all three major U.S. indexes over the past five years. 10 stocks we like better than Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF › With the stock market being notorious for its volatility and uncertainty, it's nice to have a reliable income stream you can count on. That's where dividends come into the picture. Dividends provide stable income, regardless of stock price movements. Dividend stocks aren't immune to volatility or uncertainty, but the guaranteed income offsets some of the risk of stock investing. For an added layer of security, consider investing in dividend-focused exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Many offer yields as high as single stocks and are more stable because it's many companies doing the lifting. If you're looking for steady income for years to come, the Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (NYSEMKT: SCHD) and Fidelity High Dividend Yield ETF (NYSEMKT: FDVV) are great options. They both offer dividend yields more than double the S&P 500 average and are led by companies that make me confident it can be a go-to for quite some time. SCHD Dividend Yield data by YCharts 1. Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF This ETF tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Dividend Index, which focuses on companies with a history of consistent dividend payments and strong financial performance. It's one of the most popular dividend ETFs on the stock market and is known for holding blue chip dividend stocks like Coca-Cola, Altria, and AbbVie -- all of which are Dividend Kings. The criteria to be included in Schwab ETF mean it's filled with well-established companies that have stood the test of time. That's what you want when you're investing for the long haul, because there are many instances of companies having to cut or suspend their dividend to help fix their finances during a rough patch. Dividend payouts from ETFs fluctuate because different companies pay on different schedules, but the Schwab fund has maintained a dividend yield of at least 3.1% over the past three years. Its last four payouts were $0.2602, $0.2488, $0.2645, and $0.7545, averaging out to a yield of over 5.6% yield at its $26.90 price at the time of this writing. Arguably more important -- especially for long-term investors -- is the rate at which Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF has been able to increase its dividend. In the past 10 years, it has increased by more than 160%. SCHD Dividend data by YCharts 2. Fidelity High Dividend Yield ETF Whereas the Schwab ETF emphasizes value-leaning companies, the Fidelity ETF contains a mix of companies that offer both consistent income and growth opportunities. Its top three holdings are Nvidia, Microsoft, and Apple, accounting for over 16% of the fund as of June 30. The tech sector represents over a quarter of the fund (vs. just 7% for the Schwab fund). The Fidelity ETF's dividend yield isn't eye-popping (although above 3% is impressive for a broad ETF), but it works out to be a true 2-for-1 when you consider its stock price appreciation. Over the past five years, the Fidelity ETF has outperformed all three of the stock market's major indexes. FDVV Total Return Level data by YCharts A high concentration of tech stocks isn't typical for a dividend ETF, as many of these companies prioritize reinvesting profits for growth rather than paying dividends. However, it works out in the Fidelity High Dividend Yield ETF's case because its top holdings are mature tech companies with a strong cash flow and the ability to do both. You don't have to pick one ETF or the other If you're interested in both ETFs, the good news is that they cover a good amount of ground without too much overlap. It's common for similarly themed ETFs to hold many of the same stocks, but that's not the case with these two funds. Only 19 stocks are in both ETFs out of more than 100 holdings in each fund. Investing in both could allow you to benefit from Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF's reliability and low cost, and Fidelity High Dividend Yield ETF's mix of growth and income. Should you invest $1,000 in Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF right now? Before you buy stock in Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $652,133!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $1,056,790!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor's total average return is 1,048% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 180% for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor. See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of July 21, 2025
Gulf Insider
2 hours ago
- Business
- Gulf Insider
World Economic Forum (WEF) Founder Denies He Fudged Data, Racked Up $1.1M In Expenses
Klaus Schwab, the 87-year-old architect of Davos and the WEF's global elite gatherings, slammed the organization's board of trustees on Sunday, accusing them of breaking a confidentiality deal by letting media outlets get wind of the allegations. 'I am in a position to refute all the accusations brought up against me,' Schwab said in a statement after Swiss newspaper SonntagsZeitung detailed preliminary findings from a law firm's probe. The investigation, conducted by Swiss law firm Homburger and ordered by the WEF's own board, reportedly found that Schwab interfered with the forum's flagship economic rankings to favor political allies and avoid controversy – and submitted 900,000 Swiss francs (about $1.1 million) in expenses that investigators say lacked proper justification. Three months ago we reported that Schwab was under investigation by the WEF after a whistleblower alleged financial and ethical misconduct by Mr. 'eat the bugs' and his wife. In an anonymous letter from sent to the board of directors by 'current and former Forum employees,' Schwab and his wife are accused of commingling their personal affairs with WEF resources without proper oversight, and much more… Among the most serious allegations: Schwab asked junior employees to withdraw thousands of dollars from ATMs on his behalf and used Forum funds to pay for private, in-room massages at hotels. His wife Hilde, a former Forum employee, scheduled 'token' Forum-funded meetings in order to justify luxury holiday travel at the organization's expense. The letter also raises concerns about how Klaus Schwab treated female employees and how his leadership over decades allegedly allowed instances of sexual harassment and other discriminatory behavior to go unchecked in the workplace Other allegations include the Schwab family's use of Villa Mundi – a luxury property bought before the pandemic by the Forum located next to the organization's Geneva headquarters, which the whistleblower letter maintains that Hilde Schwab maintains tight control over, and which the forum paid $30 million to purchase and another $20 million to renovate – also overseen by Hilde. Schwab says he paid the WEF back for said 'in-room massages', and denied the allegations about luxury travel and withdrawing funds. According to the WEF, its board unanimously supported the decision to launch an independent investigation 'following a whistleblower letter containing allegations against former Chairman Klaus Schwab. This decision was made after consultation with external legal counsel.' Schwab abruptly resigned from the WEF in April after the allegations surfaced. A replacement has yet to be named. The report claims Schwab personally intervened to tweak the WEF's Global Competitiveness Report to protect ties with key leaders like Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In 2017, Schwab allegedly ordered a delay in releasing the rankings to avoid souring relations with India, whose score took a dive. He also reportedly advised holding back on boosting the UK's ranking to avoid giving ammo to Brexit supporters. In another incident in 2022, Schwab allegedly shared draft rankings with an unnamed country official whose position slipped, pushing to kill that year's report entirely. The WEF later blamed the cancellation on COVID-related disruptions. Schwab insists he's been deceived, saying he offered to sit for an interview with investigators on July 15 and was promised a chance to review the findings before any conclusions were published. 'In this respect I feel deceived,' he said. 'I am willing to defend my interests with all my strength, even in the context of a legal dispute.' The WEF stayed tight-lipped when contacted by Bloomberg, saying only that it would comment once the probe concludes, likely by late August. Sunday's revelations ramp up an already heated battle between Schwab and his former colleagues. Just weeks ago, the WEF and its founder released a joint statement claiming they were working to 'normalize' their strained relationship. But with accusations of data manipulation and lavish spending now in the open, that détente looks increasingly shaky. Source Zero Hedge
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
2 High-Yield Dividend ETFs That Could Deliver Steady Income for Decades
Key Points The Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF and Fidelity High Dividend Yield ETF both offer fat payouts. The Schwab ETF has increased its dividend by more than 160% over the past decade. Fidelity's ETF has outperformed all three major U.S. indexes over the past five years. 10 stocks we like better than Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF › With the stock market being notorious for its volatility and uncertainty, it's nice to have a reliable income stream you can count on. That's where dividends come into the picture. Dividends provide stable income, regardless of stock price movements. Dividend stocks aren't immune to volatility or uncertainty, but the guaranteed income offsets some of the risk of stock investing. For an added layer of security, consider investing in dividend-focused exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Many offer yields as high as single stocks and are more stable because it's many companies doing the lifting. If you're looking for steady income for years to come, the Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (NYSEMKT: SCHD) and Fidelity High Dividend Yield ETF (NYSEMKT: FDVV) are great options. They both offer dividend yields more than double the average and are led by companies that make me confident it can be a go-to for quite some time. 1. Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF This ETF tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Dividend Index, which focuses on companies with a history of consistent dividend payments and strong financial performance. It's one of the most popular dividend ETFs on the stock market and is known for holding blue chip dividend stocks like Coca-Cola, Altria, and AbbVie -- all of which are Dividend Kings. The criteria to be included in Schwab ETF mean it's filled with well-established companies that have stood the test of time. That's what you want when you're investing for the long haul, because there are many instances of companies having to cut or suspend their dividend to help fix their finances during a rough patch. Dividend payouts from ETFs fluctuate because different companies pay on different schedules, but the Schwab fund has maintained a dividend yield of at least 3.1% over the past three years. Its last four payouts were $0.2602, $0.2488, $0.2645, and $0.7545, averaging out to a yield of over 5.6% yield at its $26.90 price at the time of this writing. Arguably more important -- especially for long-term investors -- is the rate at which Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF has been able to increase its dividend. In the past 10 years, it has increased by more than 160%. 2. Fidelity High Dividend Yield ETF Whereas the Schwab ETF emphasizes value-leaning companies, the Fidelity ETF contains a mix of companies that offer both consistent income and growth opportunities. Its top three holdings are Nvidia, Microsoft, and Apple, accounting for over 16% of the fund as of June 30. The tech sector represents over a quarter of the fund (vs. just 7% for the Schwab fund). The Fidelity ETF's dividend yield isn't eye-popping (although above 3% is impressive for a broad ETF), but it works out to be a true 2-for-1 when you consider its stock price appreciation. Over the past five years, the Fidelity ETF has outperformed all three of the stock market's major indexes. A high concentration of tech stocks isn't typical for a dividend ETF, as many of these companies prioritize reinvesting profits for growth rather than paying dividends. However, it works out in the Fidelity High Dividend Yield ETF's case because its top holdings are mature tech companies with a strong cash flow and the ability to do both. You don't have to pick one ETF or the other If you're interested in both ETFs, the good news is that they cover a good amount of ground without too much overlap. It's common for similarly themed ETFs to hold many of the same stocks, but that's not the case with these two funds. Only 19 stocks are in both ETFs out of more than 100 holdings in each fund. Investing in both could allow you to benefit from Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF's reliability and low cost, and Fidelity High Dividend Yield ETF's mix of growth and income. Should you invest $1,000 in Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF right now? Before you buy stock in Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the for investors to buy now… and Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $652,133!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $1,056,790!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor's total average return is 1,048% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 180% for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor. See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of July 21, 2025 Stefon Walters has positions in Apple, Coca-Cola, and Microsoft. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends AbbVie, Apple, Microsoft, and Nvidia. The Motley Fool recommends the following options: long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. 2 High-Yield Dividend ETFs That Could Deliver Steady Income for Decades was originally published by The Motley Fool
