Yahoo Finance What Makes PPL Corporation (NYSE:PPL) A Great Dividend Stock?
Over the past 10 years PPL Corporation (NYSE:PPL) has grown its dividend payouts from $1.34 to $1.65. With a market cap of US$21b, PPL pays out 67% of its earnings, leading to a 5.7% yield. Let me elaborate on you why the stock stands out for income investors like myself.
See our latest analysis for PPL
What Is A Dividend Rock Star?
It is a stock that pays a reliable and steady dividend over the past decade, at a rate that is competitive relative to the other dividend-paying companies on the market. More specifically:
It is paying an annual yield above 75% of dividend payers
It has paid dividend every year without dramatically reducing payout in the past
Its dividend per share amount has increased over the past
It is able to pay the current rate of dividends from its earnings
It is able to continue to payout at the current rate in the future
High Yield And Dependable
The company's dividend yield stands at 5.7%, which is high for Electric Utilities stocks. But the real reason PPL stands out is because it has a proven track record of continuously paying out this level of dividends, from earnings, to shareholders and can be expected to continue paying in the future. This is a highly desirable trait for a stock holding if you're investor who wants a robust cash inflow from your portfolio over a long period of time.
Reliability is an important factor for dividend stocks, particularly for income investors who want a strong track record of payment and a positive outlook for future payout. PPL has increased its DPS from $1.34 to $1.65 in the past 10 years. During this period it has not missed a payment, as one would expect for a company increasing its dividend. These are all positive signs of a great, reliable dividend stock.
The current trailing twelve-month payout ratio for the stock is 67%, which means that the dividend is covered by earnings. In the near future, analysts are predicting a payout ratio of 66% which, assuming the share price stays the same, leads to a dividend yield of around 5.8%. Furthermore, EPS should increase to $2.49.
When assessing the forecast sustainability of a dividend it is also worth considering the cash flow of the business. A company with strong cash flow, relative to earnings, can sometimes sustain a high pay out ratio.
Next Steps:
PPL's strong dividend attributes make it, without a doubt, a stock dividend investors should be considering for their portfolios. However, given this is purely a dividend analysis, you should always research extensively before deciding whether or not a stock is an appropriate investment for you. I always recommend analysing the company's fundamentals and underlying business before making an investment decision. Below, I've compiled three pertinent factors you should further research:
Future Outlook: What are well-informed industry analysts predicting for PPL’s future growth? Take a look at our free research report of analyst consensus for PPL’s outlook.
Valuation: What is PPL worth today? Even if the stock is a cash cow, it's not worth an infinite price. The intrinsic value infographic in our free research report helps visualize whether PPL is currently mispriced by the market.
Other Dividend Rockstars: Are there strong dividend payers with better fundamentals out there? Check out our free list of these great stocks here.
We aim to bring you long-term focused research analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material.
If you spot an error that warrants correction, please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. Simply Wall St has no position in the stocks mentioned. Thank you for reading.
