Waterco's (ASX:WAT) Upcoming Dividend Will Be Larger Than Last Year's
Waterco Limited (ASX:WAT) will increase its dividend from last year's comparable payment on the 15th of December to A$0.05. The payment will take the dividend yield to 2.0%, which is in line with the average for the industry.
Check out our latest analysis for Waterco
Waterco's Dividend Is Well Covered By Earnings
While it is always good to see a solid dividend yield, we should also consider whether the payment is feasible. Waterco is quite easily earning enough to cover the dividend, however it is being let down by weak cash flows. In general, we consider cash flow to be more important than earnings, so we would be cautious about relying on the sustainability of this dividend.
Over the next year, EPS could expand by 27.6% if recent trends continue. If the dividend continues on this path, the payout ratio could be 20% by next year, which we think can be pretty sustainable going forward.
Dividend Volatility
The company's dividend history has been marked by instability, with at least one cut in the last 10 years. Since 2012, the dividend has gone from A$0.09 total annually to A$0.08. This works out to be a decline of approximately 1.2% per year over that time. A company that decreases its dividend over time generally isn't what we are looking for.
The Dividend Looks Likely To Grow
Growing earnings per share could be a mitigating factor when considering the past fluctuations in the dividend. Waterco has seen EPS rising for the last five years, at 28% per annum. Earnings have been growing rapidly, and with a low payout ratio we think that the company could turn out to be a great dividend stock.
Our Thoughts On Waterco's Dividend
In summary, while it's always good to see the dividend being raised, we don't think Waterco's payments are rock solid. While the low payout ratio is redeeming feature, this is offset by the minimal cash to cover the payments. We don't think Waterco is a great stock to add to your portfolio if income is your focus.
Market movements attest to how highly valued a consistent dividend policy is compared to one which is more unpredictable. However, there are other things to consider for investors when analysing stock performance. Taking the debate a bit further, we've identified 1 warning sign for Waterco that investors need to be conscious of moving forward. If you are a dividend investor, you might also want to look at our curated list of high yield dividend stocks.
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This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
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