We cover the investment strategy known as “dividend growth investing” as well as funds that employ it. We discuss how it can be a hedge against inflation and is particularly useful for those on a fixed income. We look at 6 examples, including the Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF, the WisdomTree International Quality Dividend Growth Fund, the TD Dividend Growth Fund, the Proshares S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats, the Proshares S&P MidCap 400 Dividend Aristocrats ETF and the WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Quality Dividend Growth Fund.

We discuss Index Funds, which are similar to ETFs (exchange-traded funds). Like ETFs, index funds are designed to track an index, such as a stock market or commodity prices. We compare index funds and ETFs and assess which investment is superior. We talk about the Vanguard 500 Index Fund, the Vanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund, the Federated Strategic Value Dividend Fund and Neuberger Berman Equity Income Fund.

We discuss Exchange-Traded Notes (ETNs). These investments are similar to a blend of bonds and ETFs. They are loans that generate a return based on an underlying index.

We look at various exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that pay monthly income, including SuperIncome Preferred ETF (SPFF), Enhanced Income Energy ETF (HEE), Diversified Monthly Income ETF (XTR), WisdomTree U.S. High Dividend Fund (DHS) and iShares Global Monthly Dividend Index ETF (CYH).

We also address a question about the crowdfunding platform, Fundrise.

We discuss exchange-traded funds (ETFs). These are investment funds that trade on the stock market and track a particular index, like the NYSE, dividend/income-producing companies, technology companies, etc.

We discuss traditional, inverse and leveraged ETFs, like Vanguard Real Estate ETF, iShares MBS ETF, First Trust Nasdaq Clean Edge Green Energy ETF, Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund, Invesco KBW High Dividend Yield Financial ETF, ProShares Ultra Yen ETF, ProShares Short Oil & Gas ETF, Direxion Daily CSI 300 China Inverse ETF, ProShares Short Basic Materials ETF, Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull and Bear 3X Shares Direxion Daily S&P Biotech Bear 3x Shares.

Alexis also introduces the Market Intelligence Report, available at alexisassadi.net/market.

We continue our discussion about single-asset real estate companies by exploring one that is currently raising money from investors. We look at the structure, business plan and how investors are treated.

We discuss companies that are formed for a single purpose: to acquire real estate. These are becoming increasingly available to retail investors in the private placement market. We see why it's important to understand the structure of the deal; not just the underlying asset. Done correctly, these can make for solid income producing investments.

We explore real estate funds, which invest either directly or indirectly into property. We look at the two types of real estate funds and discuss important due diligence factors.

Investment funds often invest in products issued or guaranteed by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Ginnie Mae (USA) and the Canada Housing Trust. In this episode, we explore what this all means and why it’s so important to the real estate markets of both countries. We also discuss the concepts of securitization and mortgage-backed securities (MBSs).

Mortgage funds are popular investments for income investors. They can generally invest in mortgages in two ways. They either do so as lenders, or they purchase mortgage loans in the debt markets. Either way, their goal is usually to produce revenue for their shareholders.