- Business
- Zacks Dividend Fund Investor Class (ZDIVX) is an open-end mutual fund that seeks capital appreciation and dividend income by investing at least 80% of its net assets plus borrowings for investment purposes in equity securities of dividend-paying companies organized or headquartered in the United States; its equity investments include common stock, preferred stock, rights, and warrants. The fund employs a bottom-up quantitative investment approach, selecting undervalued stocks from the Russell 1000 Value universe based on proprietary models evaluating dividend yield, earnings, cash flows, competitive position, and management ability, with a focus on large-capitalization companies ($10 billion or higher) while generally holding 50 to 100 positions across sectors such as financials (approximately 25%), technology, industrials, consumer defensive, and healthcare; top holdings as of early 2025 include JPMorgan Chase (4.6%), Exxon Mobil (3.0%), Microsoft (3.0%), Procter & Gamble (2.9%), and Philip Morris (2.6%). Zacks Dividend Fund Investor Class operates in the large value segment of the U.S. equity market, targeting individual and institutional investors seeking income and growth, with assets under management of approximately $125 million, a net expense ratio of 1.30% (after contractual waivers through April 1, 2026), a low portfolio turnover of 11%, and a minimum initial investment of $2,500. The fund, part of Zacks Funds and advised by Zacks Investment Management, Inc., was launched on January 31, 2014, with headquarters at 10 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 1600, Chicago, Illinois 60606; an Institutional Class (ZDIIX) is also available with a lower expense ratio of 1.05% and higher minimum investment of $5,000. In a significant reorganization on January 26, 2024, the fund acquired all assets and liabilities of its predecessor fund from Investment Managers Series Trust in a tax-free transaction, maintaining identical investment objectives, strategies, and management under lead portfolio manager Mitch Zacks (since inception), with no reported acquisitions, partnerships, funding rounds, or new product launches in 2024 or 2025.