NYSE:WRK) is about to go ex-dividend in the next 3 days. This means that investors who purchase shares on or after the 13th of August will not receive the dividend, which will be paid on the 25th of August.” data-reactid=”28″>It looks like WestRock Company (NYSE:WRK) is about to go ex-dividend in the next 3 days. This means that investors who purchase shares on or after the 13th of August will not receive the dividend, which will be paid on the 25th of August.
WestRock’s next dividend payment will be US$0.20 per share, on the back of last year when the company paid a total of US$0.80 to shareholders. Based on the last year’s worth of payments, WestRock has a trailing yield of 2.8% on the current stock price of $29.07. We love seeing companies pay a dividend, but it’s also important to be sure that laying the golden eggs isn’t going to kill our golden goose! We need to see whether the dividend is covered by earnings and if it’s growing.
View our latest analysis for WestRock ” data-reactid=”30″>View our latest analysis for WestRock
Dividends are usually paid out of company profits, so if a company pays out more than it earned then its dividend is usually at greater risk of being cut. WestRock paid out more than half (53%) of its earnings last year, which is a regular payout ratio for most companies. A useful secondary check can be to evaluate whether WestRock generated enough free cash flow to afford its dividend. Thankfully its dividend payments took up just 41% of the free cash flow it generated, which is a comfortable payout ratio.
It’s positive to see that WestRock’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.
here to see the company’s payout ratio, plus analyst estimates of its future dividends.” data-reactid=”37″>Click here to see the company’s payout ratio, plus analyst estimates of its future dividends.
Have Earnings And Dividends Been Growing?
Companies with falling earnings are riskier for dividend shareholders. If earnings fall far enough, the company could be forced to cut its dividend. So we’re not too excited that WestRock’s earnings are down 2.1% a year over the past five years.
Many investors will assess a company’s dividend performance by evaluating how much the dividend payments have changed over time. WestRock has delivered 10% dividend growth per year on average over the past 10 years. Growing the dividend payout ratio while earnings are declining can deliver nice returns for a while, but it’s always worth checking for when the company can’t increase the payout ratio any more – because then the music stops.
The Bottom Line
Has WestRock got what it takes to maintain its dividend payments? We’re not enthused by the declining earnings per share, although at least the company’s payout ratio is within a reasonable range, meaning it may not be at imminent risk of a dividend cut. In summary, while it has some positive characteristics, we’re not inclined to race out and buy WestRock today.
2 warning signs for WestRock and you should be aware of these before buying any shares.” data-reactid=”55″>If you want to look further into WestRock, it’s worth knowing the risks this business faces. Our analysis shows 2 warning signs for WestRock and you should be aware of these before buying any shares.
checking our list of top dividend stocks with a greater than 2% yield and an upcoming dividend.” data-reactid=”56″>If you’re in the market for dividend stocks, we recommend checking our list of top dividend stocks with a greater than 2% yield and an upcoming dividend.
Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email [email protected].” data-reactid=”57″>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. 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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