Over the past week, there were five of companies that met the above mentioned requirements and raised dividends last week. The companies, along with my commentary are listed below:
The Clorox Company (CLX) manufactures and markets consumer and professional products worldwide. It operates through four segments: Cleaning, Household, Lifestyle, and International. The company raised its quarterly dividend by 5% to 84 cents/share. This marked the 40th consecutive annual dividend increase for this dividend champion. Over the past decade, Clorox has managed to raise dividends at a rate of 10.50%/year.
The rate of dividend growth has been slowing down over the past decade however, as the payout ratio increased from 37% in 2007 to 63% in 2016.
Clorox grew earnings from $3.22/share in 2007 to $4.92/share in 2016. Clorox is expected to earn $5.32/share in 2017. Given the slower rate of earnings growth, and the high payout ratio, I would imagine that future dividend growth will likely be in the range of 5%/year over the next decade. The stock is overvalued at 24.80 times forwards earnings and yields 2.50% today. I would be interested in Clorox at 20 times earnings or lower. If you use last years earnings, the entry price should be below $98/share. If you choose to go off the forecasted earnings for 2017, this would translate into an entry price below $106/share. Check my last analysis of Clorox for more information about the company.
Leggett & Platt (LEG) designs and produces various engineered components and products worldwide. The company operates through four segments: Residential Furnishings, Commercial Products, Industrial Materials, and Specialized Products. The company raised its quarterly dividend by 5.90% to 36 cents/share. This marked the 46th consecutive annual dividend increase for this dividend champion. Over the past decade, Leggett & Platt has managed to raise dividends at a rate of 6.90%/year.
Leggett & Platt grew earnings from $1.57/share in 2006 to $2.62/share in 2016. Leggett & Platt is expected to earn $2.63/share in 2017. The volatile cyclical nature of Leggett & Platt’s earnings, and the routinely high payout ratios have been some of the reasons why I never initiated a position in the company. You cannot win them all. Currently, the stock is fully valued at 19.70 times forward earnings and yields 2.70%. It may be a decent idea as long as the stock sells below $52/share.
FactSet Research Systems Inc. (FDS) provides integrated financial information and data analytical applications to the investment community in the United States, Europe, and the Asia Pacific. The company raised its quarterly dividend by 12% to 56 cents/share. This marked the 19th consecutive annual dividend increase for this dividend achiever.
FactSet Research Systems has managed to raise dividends at a rate of 23.80%/year over the past decade. This was supported by growth in earnings per share from $2.14 in 2007 to $8.19 in 2016. The figure for 2016 should be adjusted downwards by $2.01/share to $6.18/share. This adjustment is a one-time gain related to sale of a business. The company is expected to earn $7.28/share in 2017. The stock is overvalued at 22 times forward earnings and yields 1.40% today.
FactSet Research looks like a textbook dividend growth stock that has high earnings and dividend growth, all of which fuels rapid growth in intrinsic value. I like the strong growth in profitability, as well as the opportunities for future earnings growth. I may take a second look at this company if it ever falls below $145/share. Assuming nothing material changes in the business, it would be definitely a good opportunity below 20 times last years earnings ( $123/share or below).The business has a low yield today, which is why plenty investors may ignore it. However, this is the type of business that has the potential for high future yields on cost and high potential for total returns, assuming it is purchased at the right price and the business growth continues. The business is highly competitive, which is why I do not want to buy a future growth potential at any price.
Connecticut Water Service, Inc. (CTWS), together with its subsidiaries, operates as a regulated water company. The company operates through three segments: Water Operations, Real Estate Transactions, and Services and Rentals. The company raised its quarterly dividend by 5.30% to 29.75 cents/share. This marked the 48th consecutive annual dividend increase for this dividend champion. It has a low ten year dividend growth rate of 2.70%/year. What caught my eye was the solid growth in earnings per share over the past decade, coupled with a decreasing dividend payout ratio. The company earned $1.05/share in 2007 and managed to grow that to $2.08/share by 2016. Connecticut Water Service is expected to earn $2.20/share in 2017. The company seems well managed, and could grow organically and through acquisitions. However, the stock is fully priced a lot of future growth. It is selling at 24.10 times forward earnings, and yields 2.20%. I may take a closer look at Connecticut Water Service only if it dips below $42/share. As usual, we do not want to overpay for future growth, since there is always the possibility that the future does not always turn out as expected in our spreadsheet projections.
Buckeye Partners, L.P. (BPL) owns and operates liquid petroleum products pipelines in the United States. The company operates through three segments: Domestic Pipelines & Terminals, Global Marine Terminals, and Merchant Services. The partnership raised its quarterly distribution to $1.25/unit. Buckeye Partners has rewarded limited partners with a raise for 22 years in a row. Buckeye Partners managed to boost its distributions at a rate of 4.80%/year over the past decade. Currently, the partnership yields 7.40%.
Full Disclosure: Long CLX
Relevant Articles:
- How to value dividend stocks
- Getting Started – The Hardest Part About Dividend Investing
- How to read my weekly dividend increase reports
- Dividend Aristocrats List for 2017
- How to become a successful dividend investor