The most recent dividend increase was in March 2011, when the Board of Directors approved a 20.70% increase to 36.50 cents/share. The major competitors of Wal-Mart Stores include Costco Wholesale (COST), Target (TGT) and Family Dollar (FDO).
Over the past decade this dividend growth stock has delivered an annualized total return of 2.60% to its loyal shareholders.
The company has managed to deliver an increase in EPS of 12.20% per year since 2001. Analysts expect Wal-Mart to earn $4.44 per share in 2011 and $4.88 per share in 2012. This would be a nice increase from the $4.18/share the company earned in 2010. On average the company has managed to repurchase 2.20% of its stock annually over the past decade. Wal-Mart has one of the largest and most consistent stock buyback programs in the US.
Analysts estimate that Wal-Mart (WMT) will be able to achieve a 10% annual growth in EPS for the next 5 years. This will be driven largely by the company’s international operations, where the company is attempting to generate economies of scale. Wal-mart (WMT) has also decreased the number of new store openings in the US, in an effort to reduce cannibalization of sales. This has left it with extra free cash flows, which could be used to further reduce the share count. The company has started to invest in its existing stores, by redesigning them in some neighborhoods, in an effort to make them more appealing to a wider variety of shoppers. This could help Wal-Mart in squeezing in extra revenue per existing store, without having to rely too much on new stores for revenue growth in the US.
The company has had a high return on equity, which has remained in a tight range between 20% and 23% over the past decade. Rather than focus on absolute values for this indicator, I generally want to see at least a stable return on equity over time.
The annual dividend payment has increased by 17.70% per year since 2001, which is much higher than the growth in EPS.
An 18% growth in distributions translates into the dividend payment doubling every four years. If we look at historical data, going as far back as 1976, we see that Wal-Mart has actually managed to double its dividend every three years on average.
Over the past decade the dividend payout ratio has increased from 18.70% in 2001 to 29% in 2010. This has mostly been as a result of dividend growth being faster than earnings growth. A lower payout is always a plus, since it leaves room for consistent dividend growth minimizing the impact of short-term fluctuations in earnings.
Currently Wal-Mart fits my entry criteria as it is trading at 11.50 times earnings, yields 2.80% and has a sustainable dividend payout. I would consider adding to my position in the stock subject to availability of funds.
Full Disclosure: Long WMT
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