The board of Shimojima Co., Ltd. (TSE:7482) has announced that it will pay a dividend on the 4th of December, with investors receiving ¥27.00 per share. This makes the dividend yield 4.0%, which is above the industry average.
View our latest analysis for Shimojima
Shimojima's Dividend Is Well Covered By Earnings
If the payments aren't sustainable, a high yield for a few years won't matter that much. However, Shimojima's earnings easily cover the dividend. This means that most of its earnings are being retained to grow the business.
Looking forward, earnings per share could rise by 35.9% over the next year if the trend from the last few years continues. Assuming the dividend continues along recent trends, we think the payout ratio could be 49% by next year, which is in a pretty sustainable range.
Dividend Volatility
The company's dividend history has been marked by instability, with at least one cut in the last 10 years. The dividend has gone from an annual total of ¥22.00 in 2014 to the most recent total annual payment of ¥54.00. This works out to be a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 9.4% a year over that time. We have seen cuts in the past, so while the growth looks promising we would be a little bit cautious about its track record.
The Dividend Looks Likely To Grow
With a relatively unstable dividend, it's even more important to see if earnings per share is growing. Shimojima has impressed us by growing EPS at 36% 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.
Shimojima Looks Like A Great Dividend Stock
In summary, it is always positive to see the dividend being increased, and we are particularly pleased with its overall sustainability. Earnings are easily covering distributions, and the company is generating plenty of cash. Taking this all into consideration, this looks like it could be a good dividend opportunity.
It's important to note that companies having a consistent dividend policy will generate greater investor confidence than those having an erratic one. However, there are other things to consider for investors when analysing stock performance. For instance, we've picked out 1 warning sign for Shimojima that investors should take into consideration. Is Shimojima not quite the opportunity you were looking for? Why not check out our selection of top 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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About TSE:7482
Shimojima
Engages in the wholesale and retail of paper products, plastic products and packaging materials, and in-store materials in Japan.
Excellent balance sheet average dividend payer.
