All investors love getting big returns from their portfolio, whether it's through stocks, bonds, ETFs, or other types of securities. However, when you're an income investor, your primary focus is generating consistent cash flow from each of your liquid investments.
Cash flow can come from bond interest, interest from other types of investments, and of course, dividends. A dividend is the distribution of a company's earnings paid out to shareholders; it's often viewed by its dividend yield, a metric that measures a dividend as a percent of the current stock price. Many academic studies show that dividends account for significant portions of long-term returns, with dividend contributions exceeding one-third of total returns in many cases.
Assured Guaranty in Focus
Based in Hamilton Bermuda, Assured Guaranty (AGO - Free Report) is in the Finance sector, and so far this year, shares have seen a price change of -16.37%. The insurance holding company is currently shelling out a dividend of $0.28 per share, with a dividend yield of 2.15%. This compares to the Insurance - Multi line industry's yield of 2.35% and the S&P 500's yield of 1.78%.
In terms of dividend growth, the company's current annualized dividend of $1.12 is up 12% from last year. Over the last 5 years, Assured Guaranty has increased its dividend 5 times on a year-over-year basis for an average annual increase of 11.69%. Future dividend growth will depend on earnings growth as well as payout ratio, which is the proportion of a company's annual earnings per share that it pays out as a dividend. Assured Guaranty's current payout ratio is 29%. This means it paid out 29% of its trailing 12-month EPS as dividend.
Earnings growth looks solid for AGO for this fiscal year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2023 is $4.60 per share, with earnings expected to increase 11.11% from the year ago period.
Bottom Line
Investors like dividends for a variety of different reasons, from tax advantages and decreasing overall portfolio risk to considerably improving stock investing profits. However, not all companies offer a quarterly payout.
Big, established firms that have more secure profits are often seen as the best dividend options, but it's fairly uncommon to see high-growth businesses or tech start-ups offer their stockholders a dividend. Income investors must be conscious of the fact that high-yielding stocks tend to struggle during periods of rising interest rates. With that in mind, AGO is a compelling investment opportunity. Not only is it a strong dividend play, but the stock currently sits at a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold).
Free Report Reveals How You Could Profit from the Growing Electric Vehicle Industry
Globally, electric car sales continue their remarkable growth even after breaking records in 2021. High gas prices have fueled his demand, but so has evolving EV comfort, features and technology. So, the fervor for EVs will be around long after gas prices normalize. Not only are manufacturers seeing record-high profits, but producers of EV-related technology are raking in the dough as well. Do you know how to cash in? If not, we have the perfect report for you – and it’s FREE! Today, don't miss your chance to download Zacks' top 5 stocks for the electric vehicle revolution at no cost and with no obligation.
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All investors love getting big returns from their portfolio, whether it's through stocks, bonds, ETFs, or other types of securities. However, when you're an income investor, your primary focus is generating consistent cash flow from each of your liquid investments.
Cash flow can come from bond interest, interest from other types of investments, and of course, dividends. A dividend is the distribution of a company's earnings paid out to shareholders; it's often viewed by its dividend yield, a metric that measures a dividend as a percent of the current stock price. Many academic studies show that dividends account for significant portions of long-term returns, with dividend contributions exceeding one-third of total returns in many cases.
Assured Guaranty in Focus
Based in Hamilton Bermuda, Assured Guaranty (AGO - Free Report) is in the Finance sector, and so far this year, shares have seen a price change of -16.37%. The insurance holding company is currently shelling out a dividend of $0.28 per share, with a dividend yield of 2.15%. This compares to the Insurance - Multi line industry's yield of 2.35% and the S&P 500's yield of 1.78%.
In terms of dividend growth, the company's current annualized dividend of $1.12 is up 12% from last year. Over the last 5 years, Assured Guaranty has increased its dividend 5 times on a year-over-year basis for an average annual increase of 11.69%. Future dividend growth will depend on earnings growth as well as payout ratio, which is the proportion of a company's annual earnings per share that it pays out as a dividend. Assured Guaranty's current payout ratio is 29%. This means it paid out 29% of its trailing 12-month EPS as dividend.
Earnings growth looks solid for AGO for this fiscal year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2023 is $4.60 per share, with earnings expected to increase 11.11% from the year ago period.
Bottom Line
Investors like dividends for a variety of different reasons, from tax advantages and decreasing overall portfolio risk to considerably improving stock investing profits. However, not all companies offer a quarterly payout.
Big, established firms that have more secure profits are often seen as the best dividend options, but it's fairly uncommon to see high-growth businesses or tech start-ups offer their stockholders a dividend. Income investors must be conscious of the fact that high-yielding stocks tend to struggle during periods of rising interest rates. With that in mind, AGO is a compelling investment opportunity. Not only is it a strong dividend play, but the stock currently sits at a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold).
Free Report Reveals How You Could Profit from the Growing Electric Vehicle Industry
Globally, electric car sales continue their remarkable growth even after breaking records in 2021. High gas prices have fueled his demand, but so has evolving EV comfort, features and technology. So, the fervor for EVs will be around long after gas prices normalize. Not only are manufacturers seeing record-high profits, but producers of EV-related technology are raking in the dough as well. Do you know how to cash in? If not, we have the perfect report for you – and it’s FREE! Today, don't miss your chance to download Zacks' top 5 stocks for the electric vehicle revolution at no cost and with no obligation.
>>Send me my free report on the top 5 EV stocks<<
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