NYSE:UPS) for its dividend will need to make their move shortly, as the stock is about to trade ex-dividend. If you purchase the stock on or after the 21st of August, you won’t be eligible to receive this dividend, when it is paid on the 9th of September.” data-reactid=”28″>Readers hoping to buy United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS) for its dividend will need to make their move shortly, as the stock is about to trade ex-dividend. If you purchase the stock on or after the 21st of August, you won’t be eligible to receive this dividend, when it is paid on the 9th of September.
United Parcel Service’s upcoming dividend is US$1.01 a share, following on from the last 12 months, when the company distributed a total of US$4.04 per share to shareholders. Based on the last year’s worth of payments, United Parcel Service has a trailing yield of 2.5% on the current stock price of $160.74. 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! That’s why we should always check whether the dividend payments appear sustainable, and if the company is growing.
View our latest analysis for United Parcel Service ” data-reactid=”30″>View our latest analysis for United Parcel Service
If a company pays out more in dividends than it earned, then the dividend might become unsustainable – hardly an ideal situation. It paid out 78% 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. Yet cash flow is typically more important than profit for assessing dividend sustainability, so we should always check if the company generated enough cash to afford its dividend. Dividends consumed 68% of the company’s free cash flow last year, which is within a normal range for most dividend-paying organisations.
It’s positive to see that United Parcel Service’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 consistently growing earnings per share generally make the best dividend stocks, as they usually find it easier to grow dividends per share. Investors love dividends, so if earnings fall and the dividend is reduced, expect a stock to be sold off heavily at the same time. This is why it’s a relief to see United Parcel Service earnings per share are up 8.9% per annum over the last five years. Decent historical earnings per share growth suggests United Parcel Service has been effectively growing value for shareholders. However, it’s now paying out more than half its earnings as dividends. If management lifts the payout ratio further, we’d take this as a tacit signal that the company’s growth prospects are slowing.
Another key way to measure a company’s dividend prospects is by measuring its historical rate of dividend growth. Since the start of our data, 10 years ago, United Parcel Service has lifted its dividend by approximately 8.4% a year on average. It’s encouraging to see the company lifting dividends while earnings are growing, suggesting at least some corporate interest in rewarding shareholders.
The Bottom Line
From a dividend perspective, should investors buy or avoid United Parcel Service? Earnings per share growth has been unremarkable, and while the company is paying out a majority of its earnings and cash flow in the form of dividends, the dividend payments don’t appear excessive. In summary, while it has some positive characteristics, we’re not inclined to race out and buy United Parcel Service today.
2 warning signs for United Parcel Service you should be aware of.” data-reactid=”59″>If you want to look further into United Parcel Service, it’s worth knowing the risks this business faces. Case in point: We’ve spotted 2 warning signs for United Parcel Service you should be aware of.
a list of promising dividend stocks with a greater than 2% yield and an upcoming dividend.” data-reactid=”60″>A common investment mistake is buying the first interesting stock you see. Here you can find a list of promising 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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