Outokumpu Oyj (HEL:OUT1V) has announced that it will be increasing its dividend from last year's comparable payment on the 12th of April to €0.35. The payment will take the dividend yield to 4.6%, which is in line with the average for the industry.
Check out our latest analysis for Outokumpu Oyj
Outokumpu Oyj's Earnings Easily Cover The Distributions
We like to see a healthy dividend yield, but that is only helpful to us if the payment can continue. Before making this announcement, Outokumpu Oyj was easily earning enough to cover the dividend. This means that most of its earnings are being retained to grow the business.
EPS is set to fall by 76.0% over the next 12 months. If the dividend continues along recent trends, we estimate the payout ratio could be 61%, which we consider to be quite comfortable, with most of the company's earnings left over to grow the business in the future.
Outokumpu Oyj's Dividend Has Lacked Consistency
Even in its relatively short history, the company has reduced the dividend at least once. This suggests that the dividend might not be the most reliable. Since 2017, the dividend has gone from €0.10 total annually to €0.25. This means that it has been growing its distributions at 16% per annum over that time. Dividends have grown rapidly over this time, but with cuts in the past we are not certain that this stock will be a reliable source of income in the future.
The Dividend Looks Likely To Grow
Given that the dividend has been cut in the past, we need to check if earnings are growing and if that might lead to stronger dividends in the future. Outokumpu Oyj has impressed us by growing EPS at 21% per year over the past five years. A low payout ratio gives the company a lot of flexibility, and growing earnings also make it very easy for it to grow the dividend.
Outokumpu Oyj Looks Like A Great Dividend Stock
Overall, a dividend increase is always good, and we think that Outokumpu Oyj is a strong income stock thanks to its track record and growing earnings. The distributions are easily covered by earnings, and there is plenty of cash being generated as well. If earnings do fall over the next 12 months, the dividend could be buffeted a little bit, but we don't think it should cause too much of a problem in the long term. All of these factors considered, we think this has solid potential as a dividend stock.
Investors generally tend to favour companies with a consistent, stable dividend policy as opposed to those operating an irregular one. At the same time, there are other factors our readers should be conscious of before pouring capital into a stock. To that end, Outokumpu Oyj has 2 warning signs (and 1 which is a bit unpleasant) we think you should know about. 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.
About HLSE:OUT1V
Outokumpu Oyj
Produces and sells various stainless steel products in Finland, other European countries, North America, the Asia-Pacific, and internationally.
Very undervalued with excellent balance sheet.