Should You Buy Focus Systems Corporation (TSE:4662) For Its Upcoming Dividend?

Readers hoping to buy Focus Systems Corporation (TSE:4662) for its dividend will need to make their move shortly, as the stock is about to trade ex-dividend. The ex-dividend date generally occurs two days before the record date, which is the day on which shareholders need to be on the company's books in order to receive a dividend. The ex-dividend date is of consequence because whenever a stock is bought or sold, the trade can take two business days or more to settle. This means that investors who purchase Focus Systems' shares on or after the 29th of September will not receive the dividend, which will be paid on the 9th of December.

The company's next dividend payment will be JP¥12.00 per share. Last year, in total, the company distributed JP¥54.00 to shareholders. Based on the last year's worth of payments, Focus Systems stock has a trailing yield of around 3.3% on the current share price of JP¥1625.00. If you buy this business for its dividend, you should have an idea of whether Focus Systems'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.

This technology could replace computers: discover the 20 stocks are working to make quantum computing a reality.

Dividends are typically paid from company earnings. If a company pays more in dividends than it earned in profit, then the dividend could be unsustainable. Fortunately Focus Systems's payout ratio is modest, at just 32% of profit. Yet cash flow is typically more important than profit for assessing dividend sustainability, so we should always check if the company generated enough cash to afford its dividend. Thankfully its dividend payments took up just 32% of the free cash flow it generated, which is a comfortable payout ratio.

It's positive to see that Focus Systems's dividend is covered by both profits and cash flow, since this is generally a sign that the dividend is sustainable, and a lower payout ratio usually suggests a greater margin of safety before the dividend gets cut.

See our latest analysis for Focus Systems

Click here to see how much of its profit Focus Systems 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 business enters a downturn and the dividend is cut, the company could see its value fall precipitously. With that in mind, it's good to see earnings have grown 7.2% on last year. The company is retaining more than half of its earnings within the business, and it has been growing earnings at a decent rate. Organisations that reinvest heavily in themselves typically get stronger over time, which can bring attractive benefits such as stronger earnings and dividends.

One year is a very short time frame in the pantheon of investing, so we wouldn't get too hung up on these numbers.

Another key way to measure a company's dividend prospects is by measuring its historical rate of dividend growth. Focus Systems has delivered an average of 28% per year annual increase in its dividend, based on the past four years of dividend payments. It's encouraging to see the company lifting dividends while earnings are growing, suggesting at least some corporate interest in rewarding shareholders.

The Bottom Line

Is Focus Systems an attractive dividend stock, or better left on the shelf? Earnings per share growth has been growing somewhat, and Focus Systems is paying out less than half its earnings and cash flow as dividends. This is interesting for a few reasons, as it suggests management may be reinvesting heavily in the business, but it also provides room to increase the dividend in time. We would prefer to see earnings growing faster, but the best dividend stocks over the long term typically combine significant earnings per share growth with a low payout ratio, and Focus Systems is halfway there. Focus Systems looks solid on this analysis overall, and we'd definitely consider investigating it more closely.

With that in mind, a critical part of thorough stock research is being aware of any risks that stock currently faces. Case in point: We've spotted 3 warning signs for Focus Systems you should be aware of.

Generally, we wouldn't recommend just buying the first dividend stock you see. Here's a curated list of interesting stocks that are strong dividend payers.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.

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.