What I like most about this fund is its ability to protect capital in down markets. While most other U.S. equity funds tend to fall more than the S&P 500, this gem has only fallen between 60% and 70% of the broader market. That’s because of its focus on companies that have a history of consistent and substantial dividend increases over time. Since they offer a relatively high dividend yield, they tend to hold up better when markets fall. Even in 2008 when the S&P was off by nearly 30%, this fund was only down 11%. A drawback to this strategy is these are companies that will tend to lag when markets are rising. This is a great core holding for investors who are more risk averse, but still want or need exposure to U.S. equities.