Yahoo Finance Northern Oil and Gas (NYSE:NOG) Has Announced That It Will Be Increasing Its Dividend To US$0.19
Northern Oil and Gas, Inc. (NYSE:NOG) has announced that it will be increasing its dividend on the 29th of July to US$0.19. Although the dividend is now higher, the yield is only 1.6%, which is below the industry average.
See our latest analysis for Northern Oil and Gas
Northern Oil and Gas Might Find It Hard To Continue The Dividend
The dividend yield is a little bit low, but sustainability of the payments is also an important part of evaluating an income stock. Even though Northern Oil and Gas is not generating a profit, it is still paying a dividend. It is also not generating any free cash flow, we definitely have concerns when it comes to the sustainability of the dividend.
Looking forward, earnings per share could 9.1% over the next year if the trend of the last few years can't be broken. This means the company will be unprofitable and managers could face the tough choice between continuing to pay the dividend or taking pressure off the balance sheet.
Northern Oil and Gas Doesn't Have A Long Payment History
Without a track record of dividend payments, we can't make a judgement on how stable it has been. This doesn't mean that the company can't pay a good dividend, but just that we want to wait until it can prove itself.
Dividend Growth Is Doubtful
Investors who have held shares in the company for the past few years will be happy with the dividend income they have received. However, initial appearances might be deceiving. Over the past five years, it looks as though Northern Oil and Gas' EPS has declined at around 9.1% a year. Declining earnings will inevitably lead to the company paying a lower dividend in line with lower profits.
The company has also been raising capital by issuing stock equal to 28% of shares outstanding in the last 12 months. Trying to grow the dividend when issuing new shares reminds us of the ancient Greek tale of Sisyphus - perpetually pushing a boulder uphill. Companies that consistently issue new shares are often suboptimal from a dividend perspective.
Northern Oil and Gas' Dividend Doesn't Look Great
Overall, while the dividend being raised can be good, there are some concerns about its long term sustainability. The company seems to be stretching itself a bit to make such big payments, but it doesn't appear they can be consistent over time. Overall, this doesn't get us very excited from an income standpoint.
Market movements attest to how highly valued a consistent dividend policy is compared to one which is more unpredictable. Still, investors need to consider a host of other factors, apart from dividend payments, when analysing a company. Just as an example, we've come across 5 warning signs for Northern Oil and Gas you should be aware of, and 2 of them are concerning. Is Northern Oil and Gas 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.
