Yahoo Finance Zurich Insurance Group AG (VTX:ZURN) Is A Real Dividend Rock Star - Here Is Why
Over the past 10 years Zurich Insurance Group AG (VTX:ZURN) has grown its dividend payouts from $6.7 to $17.8. With a market cap of CHF48b, Zurich Insurance Group pays out 74% of its earnings, leading to a 5.5% yield. Let me elaborate on you why the stock stands out for income investors like myself.
See our latest analysis for Zurich Insurance Group
What Is A Dividend Rock Star?
It is a stock that pays a consistent, reliable and competitive dividend over a long period of time, and is expected to continue to pay in the same manner many years to come. More specifically:
It is paying an annual yield above 75% of dividend payers
It consistently pays out dividend without missing a payment or significantly cutting payout
Its has increased its dividend per share amount over the past
It is able to pay the current rate of dividends from its earnings
It has the ability to keep paying its dividends going forward
High Yield And Dependable
Zurich Insurance Group's yield sits at 5.5%, which is high for Insurance stocks. But the real reason Zurich Insurance Group stands out is because it has a high chance of being able to continue to pay dividend at this level for years to come, something that is quite desirable if you are looking to create a portfolio that generates a steady stream of income.
Reliablity is an important factor for dividend stocks, particularly for income investors who want a strong track record of payment and a positive outlook for future payout. ZURN has increased its DPS from $6.7 to $17.8 in the past 10 years. It has also been paying out dividend consistently during this time, as you'd expect for a company increasing its dividend levels. This is an impressive feat, which makes ZURN a true dividend rockstar.
The company currently pays out 74% of its earnings as a dividend, according to its trailing twelve-month data, which means that the dividend is covered by earnings. Going forward, analysts expect ZURN's payout to remain around the same level at 71% of its earnings. Assuming a constant share price, this equates to a dividend yield of 6.5%. Furthermore, EPS should increase to $27.13.
When considering the sustainability of dividends, it is also worth checking the cash flow of a company. Cash flow is important because companies with strong cash flow can usually sustain higher payout ratios.
Next Steps:
Zurich Insurance Group ticks all the boxes for what I look for in a dividend stock. If you are looking to build an income focused portfolio, this could be one to include. However, given this is purely a dividend analysis, you should always research extensively before deciding whether or not a stock is an appropriate investment for you. I always recommend analysing the company's fundamentals and underlying business before making an investment decision. I've put together three fundamental factors you should further examine:
Future Outlook: What are well-informed industry analysts predicting for ZURN’s future growth? Take a look at our free research report of analyst consensus for ZURN’s outlook.
Valuation: What is ZURN worth today? Even if the stock is a cash cow, it's not worth an infinite price. The intrinsic value infographic in our free research report helps visualize whether ZURN is currently mispriced by the market.
Other Dividend Rockstars: Are there strong dividend payers with better fundamentals out there? Check out our free list of these great stocks here.
We aim to bring you long-term focused research analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material.
If you spot an error that warrants correction, please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com. 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. Simply Wall St has no position in the stocks mentioned. Thank you for reading.
