Acsion (JSE:ACS) Is Increasing Its Dividend To ZAR0.22

Acsion Limited (JSE:ACS) will increase its dividend from last year's comparable payment on the 22nd of December to ZAR0.22. Despite this raise, the dividend yield of 5.5% is only a modest boost to shareholder returns.

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Acsion's Future Dividend Projections Appear Well Covered By Earnings

If it is predictable over a long period, even low dividend yields can be attractive. Before making this announcement, Acsion was easily earning enough to cover the dividend. As a result, a large proportion of what it earned was being reinvested back into the business.

Over the next year, EPS could expand by 32.4% if recent trends continue. If the dividend continues along recent trends, we estimate the payout ratio will be 8.8%, which is in the range that makes us comfortable with the sustainability of the dividend.

View our latest analysis for Acsion

Acsion's Dividend Has Lacked Consistency

It's comforting to see that Acsion has been paying a dividend for a number of years now, however it has been cut at least once in that time. This suggests that the dividend might not be the most reliable. The annual payment during the last 8 years was ZAR0.125 in 2017, and the most recent fiscal year payment was ZAR0.44. This works out to be a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 17% a year 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

With a relatively unstable dividend, it's even more important to see if earnings per share is growing. Acsion has impressed us by growing EPS at 32% per year over the past five years. Earnings per share is growing at a solid clip, and the payout ratio is low which we think is an ideal combination in a dividend stock as the company can quite easily raise the dividend in the future.

We Really Like Acsion's Dividend

Overall, a dividend increase is always good, and we think that Acsion is a strong income stock thanks to its track record and growing earnings. The company is easily earning enough to cover its dividend payments and it is great to see that these earnings are being translated into cash flow. All in all, this checks a lot of the boxes we look for when choosing an income stock.

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. Case in point: We've spotted 3 warning signs for Acsion (of which 1 doesn't sit too well with us!) you should know about. Is Acsion not quite the opportunity you were looking for? Why not check out our selection of top dividend stocks.

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