The Only Vanguard ETFs I’d Buy and Hold Through Any Market

If you’re thinking of retirement, nearing retirement, or already there, one of the last things you want to worry about is cash flow.

You also want to ensure that you’re not part of the nearly two in three Americans (64%) who worry about running out of money more than dying, according to the 2025 Annual Retirement Study from the Allianz Center for the Future of Retirement.

Instead, have your money make you money. 

One of the best ways to do that is by investing in passive income and growth, which investors can accomplish with Vanguard exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Not only do these ETFs offer a good deal of diversification, but they can also help lower your overall risk compared to investing in an average security.

JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Equity income ETF  

Look at the JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Equity income ETF (NASDAQ: JEPQ), for example. With a yield of 11.52%, the ETF generates income by selling options and by investing in U.S. large-cap growth stocks. All of which allows it to deliver a monthly income stream through options premiums and stock dividends.

In fact, it just paid a dividend of just over 57 cents per share on January 5. Before that, it paid out a dividend of just over 55 cents on December 3. Even better, investors have also benefited from the ETF’s appreciation. Also, since bottoming out at around $42 a share in April 2025, the ETF rallied to a recent high of $58.09.

Still a solid investment with a solid dividend, it’s well worth the investment.

However, it’s not the only strong dividend-paying ETF worth buying.

Here are three more. 

Vanguard International High Dividend Yield Fund ETF 

With an expense ratio of 0.17% and a quarterly dividend, the Vanguard International High Dividend Yield Index Fund ETF (NASDAQ: VYMI | VYMI Price Prediction) offers exposure to international stocks with above-average dividend yields. Some of its holdings include Nestlé, Novartis, Roche Holding, Toyota Motor, and Shell, to name a few.

It paid a dividend of just over 93 cents on December 23. Before that, it paid a dividend of just over 70 cents on September 23. And before that, it paid a dividend of just over $1.07 per share on June 24. Also, since bottoming out at around $64 a share, the VYMI ETF is now at $90.91.

Vanguard Energy Index Fund ETF 

With an expense ratio of 0.09% and a quarterly dividend, the Vanguard Energy Index Fund ETF (NYSEARCA: VDE) tracks the returns of energy sector stocks. The ETF holds about 109 holdings with $8.8 billion in assets as of the end of November.

It also has an average yield of about 3.02%. 

Top holdings include Chevron, ConocoPhillips, Williams Cos., and EOG Resources. The ETF just paid a dividend of just over $1.02 on December 19. Before that, it paid a dividend of just over $1 per share on September 24. And before that, it paid out a dividend of just over 93 cents per share on June 30, 2025.

Fueling upside, there’s still strong global energy demand, particularly for electricity – especially with an explosive artificial intelligence story. In fact, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA), global demand for electricity is set to grow at an annual rate of 4% through 2027. 

“The surge is primarily driven by robust growing use of electricity for industrial production, increased demand for air conditioning, accelerating electrification, led by the transport sector, and the rapid expansion of data centers,” the International Energy Agency said.

Since bottoming out at around $103 in April, the ETF is now at $128.66 per share.

Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF  

With an expense ratio of 0.05% and a quarterly dividend, the Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF (NYSEARCA: VIG) tracks the performance of the S&P U.S. Dividend Growers Index.

In addition, the VIG ETF has just over $120.4 billion in assets under management, a well-diversified portfolio of 338 stocks, and offers a low-cost, resilient, growth-oriented option for smart investors. Its biggest holding is in Broadcom, where the VIG ETF holds a 7.63% stake. 

Some of its other holdings include Broadcom, Microsoft, JPMorgan, Apple, Visa, Eli Lilly, and Exxon Mobil, to name just a few. Making the VIG ETF even more attractive, it yields about 1.57% and just paid out a dividend of just paid a dividend of just over 88 cents per share on December 24. Before that, it paid out a dividend of just over 86 cents per share on October 1. And before that, it paid out a dividend of just over 87 cents per share on July 2.

Since bottoming out at around $170 in April, the VIG ETF is now up to $220.60.