A Dividend ETF Goes Global

NEW YORK (TheStreet) --With the debt crisis facing the European Union sparking doubts and commanding headlines on a daily basis, it is understandable that cautious investors would hold reservations towards the idea of venturing outside of the U.S. borders and into foreign markets.

Despite these concerns, I still believe that in today's age, maintaining some exposure abroad is essential in the construction of a well-balanced portfolio.

In the past, I have highlighted Canada and China as countries investors may want to keep an eye on. While aggressive investors may find products like the iShares MSCI Canada Index Fund (EWC) and Guggenheim China Small Cap ETF (HAO) exciting, individual nation funds such as these may prove to be excessively risky for a more conservative audience. For individuals looking for a safer way to add a global element to their portfolio, the PowerShares International Dividend Achievers Portfolio (PID) may be just right.

PID, like other dividend-focused ETFs, is designed to home in on companies boasting attractive yields. However, while funds such as the iShares Dow Jones Select Dividend Index Fund (DVY) or the iShares High Dividend Equity Fund (HDV) target the U.S., PID takes a global approach to dividend investing.

Despite its name, investors turning to PID do not avoid exposure to domestic equities entirely, however. Rather, United States-based firms still command a respectable 6.8% of the fund's portfolio, making it the third largest slice of the fund's geographic breakdown. Other heavily represented nations include the U.K., Canada, Mexico, Israel, and Switzerland.

The fund's direct exposure to the troubled EU is relatively minimal. Spain is the largest represented member of the euro-bloc, representing less than 4% of the fund's portfolio.

PID's widespread geographic exposure should prove effective in helping investors mitigate some global uncertainty. This however represents only one of the fund's attractive defensive qualities.

In addition to its wide global reach, PID's sector breakdown is also well suited for safely navigating shaky markets. In its searching high dividend-yielding equities, the fund has gained ample exposure to defensive sectors. In total, telecommunications, consumer staples, health care, and utilities represent over half of the fund's total portfolio.

While the fund's geographic and sector breakdowns are attractive, the fund's real bread and butter can be found from its ample dividend. According to Morningstar, the fund's 12 month yield stands at 3.8%, surpassing the payout issued from competitors like DVY.

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