Dividend-paying stocks come in many flavors that can help satisfy investors' appetite for income. While many focus simply on stocks returning capital in the United States, foreign dividend stocks can offer a worthwhile area for exploration. The topic is especially relevant now, as U.S. stocks have had a shaky start to 2025 compared to their foreign counterparts. This is evident when looking at the year-to-date returns of 41 country-specific ETFs.
The SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (NYSEARCA: SPY), used to track the performance of the U.S. stock market, has posted unimpressive results so far. Its return ranks as the fifth worst among this group of 41 as of the Mar. 10 close.
