More investors are getting their dividend income via exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Yet, getting dividend cash flow is becoming ever more challenging as more publicly-traded companies and real estate investment trusts (REITs) suspend dividends. How bad has it gotten?
The coronavirus outbreak has triggered an avalanche of dividend cuts or suspensions. Thus far, in 2020, almost 90 companies and REITs have eliminated their dividend payouts, the highest rate since the bear market 2000-02 bear market. Plus, another 143 companies have slashed their dividend payouts to shareholders to conserve corporate cash. The year isn't even half over