FTSE 100 tracker funds have grown in reputation lately. These easy funding funds passively mimic the efficiency of the Footsie whereas doling out a second earnings within the type of dividends.

Alternatively, there are ‘accumulation’ variations with all dividends reinvested within the fund. This is able to imply going with out an earnings as we speak for a probably larger return in future.

Right here, I’ll check out how a lot I may anticipate to obtain in dividends from a £20k funding in a FTSE 100 tracker fund that distributes earnings.

Needles and haystacks

First, I can definitely see the enchantment of this model of investing. I get broad publicity to a number of firms — on this case the most important 100 firms listed within the UK — via a single funding.

Furthermore, as a result of an index fund principally runs itself, they typically value little or no (definitely in comparison with energetic funds). Excessive charges can considerably eat into long-term returns.

John Bogle, the pioneer of passive investing, captured the simplicity of index funds on this timeless quote: “Don’t look for the needle in the haystack. Just buy the haystack.”

The earnings

So, how a lot may the haystack pay me? Proper now, the dividend yield on FTSE 100 shares is 3.6%.

However that doesn’t imply I’d get that precise yield as a result of dividends aren’t assured. Corporations can minimize or cancel their shareholder payouts, whereas others increase them.

For instance, luxurious agency Burberry simply scrapped its dividend because it offers with slumping gross sales. Vodafone is because of minimize its in half, whereas Aviva (LSE: AV.) elevated its payout by 7.7% final 12 months.

Additionally, share costs transfer round so much, which impacts yields as a consequence of their inverse relationship. So there’s a good bit occurring.

As issues stand although, the FTSE 100 yield is the aforementioned 3.6%, which is broadly what I’d anticipate from a tracker. So it means I’d be trying to obtain about £720 a 12 months in dividends from a £20k funding.

Observe that I’ve ignored platform charges and fund prices right here.

Overlook the haystack

Is that any good? Nicely, it’s higher than a moist crisp packet within the face, as my uncle is fond of claiming. However I reckon I can do a lot better shopping for particular person FTSE 100 shares.

Returning to Aviva, that inventory is yielding 6.5%. That’s not far off double the FTSE 100 common.

Higher nonetheless, Metropolis analysts see the insurer rising its payouts over the subsequent couple of years. If these forecasts show appropriate, then the yield rises to 7.2% in 2024 and seven.8% in 2025.

That might equate to funds of £1,440 and £1,560. An enormous distinction!

One threat I’d spotlight with Aviva is its concentrate on markets within the UK and Eire. Which may restrict progress transferring ahead, as they’re fairly mature markets.

But the agency is in nice form financially. In March, its Solvency II capital ratio was a wholesome 206%. And it’s shopping for again £300m of its shares, whereas its personal well being enterprise is booming with NHS ready lists close to report highs.

Even so, I’d be reluctant to place £20k into one inventory in case the dividend was minimize. However there are 30+ FTSE 100 shares at present yielding over 3.6% (some far more). So I don’t really want to purchase a tracker as a pleasant basket may be constructed by choosing particular person shares.