Three Days Left Until Oracle Financial Services Software Limited (NSE:OFSS) Trades Ex-Dividend

It looks like Oracle Financial Services Software Limited (NSE:OFSS) is about to go ex-dividend in the next three days. Typically, the ex-dividend date is one business day before the record date which is the date on which a company determines the shareholders eligible to receive a dividend. The ex-dividend date is of consequence because whenever a stock is bought or sold, the trade takes at least two business day to settle. Accordingly, Oracle Financial Services Software investors that purchase the stock on or after the 13th of May will not receive the dividend, which will be paid on the 2nd of June.

The company's next dividend payment will be ₹190 per share, on the back of last year when the company paid a total of ₹190 to shareholders. Based on the last year's worth of payments, Oracle Financial Services Software stock has a trailing yield of around 5.4% on the current share price of ₹3517.1. If you buy this business for its dividend, you should have an idea of whether Oracle Financial Services Software's dividend is reliable and sustainable. That's why we should always check whether the dividend payments appear sustainable, and if the company is growing.

View our latest analysis for Oracle Financial Services Software

Dividends are typically paid out of company income, so if a company pays out more than it earned, its dividend is usually at a higher risk of being cut. It paid out 87% of its earnings as dividends last year, which is not unreasonable, but limits reinvestment in the business and leaves the dividend vulnerable to a business downturn. We'd be worried about the risk of a drop in earnings. Yet cash flows are even more important than profits for assessing a dividend, so we need to see if the company generated enough cash to pay its distribution. It paid out 95% of its free cash flow in the form of dividends last year, which is outside the comfort zone for most businesses. Companies usually need cash more than they need earnings - expenses don't pay themselves - so it's not great to see it paying out so much of its cash flow.

While Oracle Financial Services Software's dividends were covered by the company's reported profits, cash is somewhat more important, so it's not great to see that the company didn't generate enough cash to pay its dividend. Cash is king, as they say, and were Oracle Financial Services Software to repeatedly pay dividends that aren't well covered by cashflow, we would consider this a warning sign.

Click here to see how much of its profit Oracle Financial Services Software paid out over the last 12 months.

Have Earnings And Dividends Been Growing?

Stocks in companies that generate sustainable earnings growth often make the best dividend prospects, as it is easier to lift the dividend when earnings are rising. If earnings decline and the company is forced to cut its dividend, investors could watch the value of their investment go up in smoke. This is why it's a relief to see Oracle Financial Services Software earnings per share are up 9.4% per annum over the last five years. Earnings have been growing at a steady rate, but we're concerned dividend payments consumed most of the company's cash flow over the past year.

Another key way to measure a company's dividend prospects is by measuring its historical rate of dividend growth. Oracle Financial Services Software's dividend payments per share have declined at 18% per year on average over the past eight years, which is uninspiring. It's unusual to see earnings per share increasing at the same time as dividends per share have been in decline. We'd hope it's because the company is reinvesting heavily in its business, but it could also suggest business is lumpy.

The Bottom Line

Is Oracle Financial Services Software an attractive dividend stock, or better left on the shelf? Oracle Financial Services Software is paying out a reasonable percentage of its income and an uncomfortably high 95% of its cash flow as dividends. At least earnings per share have been growing steadily. With the way things are shaping up from a dividend perspective, we'd be inclined to steer clear of Oracle Financial Services Software.

Having said that, if you're looking at this stock without much concern for the dividend, you should still be familiar of the risks involved with Oracle Financial Services Software. For example, we've found 1 warning sign for Oracle Financial Services Software that we recommend you consider before investing in the business.

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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.