NYSE:HRB) is about to trade ex-dividend in the next 4 days. If you purchase the stock on or after the 10th of September, you won’t be eligible to receive this dividend, when it is paid on the 1st of October.” data-reactid=”28″>H&R Block, Inc. (NYSE:HRB) is about to trade ex-dividend in the next 4 days. If you purchase the stock on or after the 10th of September, you won’t be eligible to receive this dividend, when it is paid on the 1st of October.
H&R Block’s next dividend payment will be US$0.26 per share, and in the last 12 months, the company paid a total of US$1.04 per share. Calculating the last year’s worth of payments shows that H&R Block has a trailing yield of 6.9% on the current share price of $15.15. Dividends are a major contributor to investment returns for long term holders, but only if the dividend continues to be paid. We need to see whether the dividend is covered by earnings and if it’s growing.
Check out our latest analysis for H&R Block ” data-reactid=”30″> Check out our latest analysis for H&R Block
If a company pays out more in dividends than it earned, then the dividend might become unsustainable – hardly an ideal situation. It paid out 83% of its earnings as dividends last year, which is not unreasonable, but limits reinvestment in the business and leaves the dividend vulnerable to a business downturn. We’d be concerned if earnings began to decline. A useful secondary check can be to evaluate whether H&R Block generated enough free cash flow to afford its dividend. Fortunately, it paid out only 41% of its free cash flow in the past year.
It’s positive to see that H&R Block’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. With that in mind, we’re discomforted by H&R Block’s 6.6% per annum decline in earnings in the past five years. When earnings per share fall, the maximum amount of dividends that can be paid also falls.
Another key way to measure a company’s dividend prospects is by measuring its historical rate of dividend growth. H&R Block has delivered an average of 5.7% per year annual increase in its dividend, based on the past 10 years of dividend payments. The only way to pay higher dividends when earnings are shrinking is either to pay out a larger percentage of profits, spend cash from the balance sheet, or borrow the money. H&R Block is already paying out a high percentage of its income, so without earnings growth, we’re doubtful of whether this dividend will grow much in the future.
The Bottom Line
Is H&R Block worth buying for its dividend? The payout ratios are within a reasonable range, implying the dividend may be sustainable. Declining earnings are a serious concern, however, and could pose a threat to the dividend in future. In summary, it’s hard to get excited about H&R Block from a dividend perspective.
H&R Block is showing 5 warning signs in our investment analysis, and 2 of those shouldn’t be ignored…” data-reactid=”55″>If you’re not too concerned about H&R Block’s ability to pay dividends, you should still be mindful of some of the other risks that this business faces. Be aware that H&R Block is showing 5 warning signs in our investment analysis, and 2 of those shouldn’t be ignored…
a list of interesting dividend stocks with a greater than 2% yield and an upcoming dividend.” data-reactid=”60″>We wouldn’t recommend just buying the first dividend stock you see, though. Here’s a list of interesting dividend stocks with a greater than 2% yield and an upcoming dividend.
Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email [email protected].” data-reactid=”61″>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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