The AEX High Dividend Index (AEXHD) consists of 12 Dutch stocks with the highest dividend yields. The selection of stocks is based on the past calendar year dividends. The eligibility criteria is that all these stocks must be part of the AEX Index, the main blue chip index of the Dutch stock market.

The weighting is based on the dividend yield and is capped at 15%. This inception date of this index was 3/4/2008. Last year the index was down 46%.

In backtesting the index performed as follows:
2003 = 2.06%
2004 = 8.91%
2005 = 31.94%
2006 = 18.83%
2007 = 5.30%

The Components of the AEX High Dividend Index are:

1. Aegon (AEG)
Current Dividend Yield = No regular dividends paid

2. Air France – KLM (OTC: AFLYY)
Current Dividend Yield = 5.19%

3. BAM Groep KON
4. Corio
5. DSM KON

6. ING Groep (ING)
Current Dividend Yield = No regular dividends paid
7. KPN KON
8. Randstad

9. Royal Dutch Shell A (RDS.A)
Current Dividend Yield = 5.40%

10. TNT (OTC: TNTTY)
Current Dividend Yield = 1.76%

1. Unibail – Rodamco
12. Wereldhave

Many of the above stocks do not trade in the US markets. Some of them have suspended or reduced dividends due to the global economic downturn and government bailouts last year.