The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) dropped over 1% today by market close. The ASX 200 fell to 5,403 points.

The coronavirus continues to dominate news headlines, but there’s growing concern about China hurting Australia’s exports of barley and beef.

Here’s what happened in the ASX 200 today

There was a full year result and a few interesting updates.

CSR Limited (ASX: CSR) reports

The ASX 200 construction business announced its FY20 report today. The CSR share price went up by over 10%.

CSR reported that net profit after tax (NPAT) of $125.3 million rose from $78 million in the prior year which included an impairment last year.

NPAT from continuing operations (before significant items) of $134.8 million was down from $181.7 million in FY19.

CSR decided not to pay a final dividend.

Altium Limited (ASX: ALU) update

The ASX 200 electronic PCB software business announced another coronavirus update earlier today.

It’s starting to feel some of the effects of the coronavirus, causing it to lower prices and extend payment terms. It doesn’t think it can reach its US$200 million revenue target this year. May and June are typically important months for sales for the company and things are only getting tougher rather than easier. 

However, it said that it has a cash balance of US$77 million and it’s working hard to invest in cloud offering Altium 365.

The ASX 200 software business fell by around 4% today.

Premier Investments Ltd (ASX: PMV) says stores to re-open

The major retailer said that store closures had significantly impacted global sales with total sales down 74% for the six weeks to 6 May 2020 compared to the prior period. The global retail store network sales were down 99%, but online sales have risen 99%.

Premier Investments has announced that the balance of its stores in Australia will reopen from 15 May 2020, although airports and some CBD stores will remain closed. All New Zealand stores will reopen from 14 May 2020.

The company said it will pay rent in arrears for all stores at a gross percentage of sales.

The Premier Investments share price was essentially flat today for the ASX 200 retailer.

More reading

• Short sellers are going after Afterpay’s rivals and these ASX shares
• 3 top-notch ASX shares on my May watchlist
• ASX stock of the day: This ASX construction share jumped 10% today on a 61% surge in profits
• Is the Altium share price a buy after today’s update?
• Is this ASX healthcare share about to soar?

Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison owns shares of Altium. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of and has recommended Premier Investments Limited. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of Altium. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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2020 is shaping up to be a year to forget when it comes to dividends. We have seen ASX companies cut dividends across the board this year, including from some ASX income heavyweights.

Dividends from ASX banks like Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) have gone up in smoke. It’s the same with distributions from real estate investment trusts (REITs) like Scentre Group (ASX: SCG) and would-be dividend aristocrat Ramsay Health Care Limited (ASX: RHC).

It’s a brave new world for income investors, that’s for sure.

That’s why I think a great strategy for investors seeking dividend income in 2020 is to go for diversification. With an exchange-traded fund (ETF), you can buy dozens (if not hundreds) of income-paying companies within one share!

Here are 3 ideas to get you started:

Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF (ASX: VHY)

This ETF from Vanguard aims to hold a large basket of ASX dividend-paying shares. It currently holds 62 ASX-listed companies, which include the big banks, BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP), Telstra Corporation Ltd (ASX: TLS) and Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES).

Although many of these holdings will be pulling back on their dividends in 2020, many will not as well. All in all, I see this ETF as a collection of some of the best yielders on the ASX.

SPDR S&P Global Dividend Fund (ASX: WDIV)

This ETF can be used as a great compliment to VHY as it invests in top-notch dividend payers from around the world.

WDIV only holds stocks that have maintained or increased their dividends over the past 10 years – which is a great filter in my view. There are many defensive companies here, ranging from the utilities sector to energy, REITs and ‘sin stocks’.

WDIV has a trailing dividend yield of 6.33%, which isn’t bad at all and will provide a solid stream of passive income. Such diversity can do wonders for an ASX-dominated dividend portfolio in my view and as such, I think this ETF is one that any income investors should consider.

iShares S&P/ASX 20 ETF (ASX: ILC)

This ETF from BlackRock is very simple – it simply holds the top 20 companies on the ASX. CSL Limited (ASX: CSL) is, of course, the top holding, followed by the big 4 banks, BHP and Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW).

So why this ETF over VHY? Well, it’s a more conservative choice in that it is defined by holding the largest companies on the ASX – all of which pay dividends. It is a little concentrated in the banking and resources sectors, but the largest holding, CSL, is a notable exception. ILC boasts a trailing dividend yield of 5.52%, which also comes with some franking credits.

More reading

• 3 top ASX dividend shares to buy right now
• 3 ASX dividend shares I would buy immediately
• How to earn more frequent retirement income from ASX shares
• 3 top ASX dividend shares to buy during the COVID-19 crisis
• How to generate a passive income of $50,000 a year with ASX shares

Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen owns shares of SPDR S&P Global Dividend Fund and Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield Etf. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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