The Globe and Mail reports in its Wednesday, July 29, edition that the iShares Global Infrastructure Index ETF has been delivering pleasant surprises. The Globe's regular guest columnist Gordon Pape writes that this ETF has an annual payout of $1.114, which is a yield of 1.5 per cent. This ETF tracks the performance of the Manulife Investment Management Global Infrastructure Index, net of expenses. It theoretically targets infrastructure companies from around the world, but in fact, most of its assets are in the U.S. and Canada. The MER is 0.72 per cent. It was started in 2008 and has assets under management of about $1.6-billion. This ETF has been a solid performer for a long time. The average annual compound rate of return since inception is an impressive 10.39 per cent (to June 30). Gains over the past five years have been in double-digit territory except for 2022, when the fund was ahead only 6.71 per cent. Even that beat all the major indexes as the entire stock market was rocked by rising interest rates that year. Top holdings include Edison International, Atco, Targa Resources and Caterpillar. Distributions are paid quarterly.