Yahoo Finance Kellanova's (NYSE:K) Shareholders Will Receive A Smaller Dividend Than Last Year
Kellanova's (NYSE:K) dividend is being reduced from last year's payment covering the same period to $0.56 on the 15th of December. This means the annual payment is 4.4% of the current stock price, which is above the average for the industry.
Check out our latest analysis for Kellanova
Kellanova Is Paying Out More Than It Is Earning
We like to see robust dividend yields, but that doesn't matter if the payment isn't sustainable. Based on the last payment, Kellanova's profits didn't cover the dividend, but the company was generating enough cash instead. Generally, we think cash is more important than accounting measures of profit, so with the cash flows easily covering the dividend, we don't think there is much reason to worry.
The next 12 months is set to see EPS grow by 76.6%. If the dividend continues on its recent course, the payout ratio in 12 months could be 145%, which is a bit high and could start applying pressure to the balance sheet.
Kellanova Has A Solid Track Record
The company has a sustained record of paying dividends with very little fluctuation. The dividend has gone from an annual total of $1.76 in 2013 to the most recent total annual payment of $2.34. This means that it has been growing its distributions at 2.9% per annum over that time. While the consistency in the dividend payments is impressive, we think the relatively slow rate of growth is less attractive.
Dividend Growth Potential Is Shaky
Some investors will be chomping at the bit to buy some of the company's stock based on its dividend history. Let's not jump to conclusions as things might not be as good as they appear on the surface. Earnings per share has been sinking by 15% over the last five years. A sharp decline in earnings per share is not great from from a dividend perspective. Even conservative payout ratios can come under pressure if earnings fall far enough. However, the next year is actually looking up, with earnings set to rise. We would just wait until it becomes a pattern before getting too excited.
In Summary
Overall, the dividend looks like it may have been a bit high, which explains why it has now been cut. The company is generating plenty of cash, but we still think the dividend is a bit high for comfort. We would be a touch cautious of relying on this stock primarily for the dividend income.
It's important to note that companies having a consistent dividend policy will generate greater investor confidence than those having an erratic one. However, there are other things to consider for investors when analysing stock performance. Taking the debate a bit further, we've identified 3 warning signs for Kellanova that investors need to be conscious of moving forward. Looking for more high-yielding dividend ideas? Try our collection of strong dividend payers.
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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.
