Why Rio Tinto plc Is A Better Income Stock Than RSA Insurance Group plc And Pennon Group plc

Here’s why the dividend appeal of Rio Tinto plc (LON: RIO) exceeds that of RSA Insurance Group plc (LON: RSA) and Pennon Group plc (LON: PNN)

| More on:

The content of this article was relevant at the time of publishing. Circumstances change continuously and caution should therefore be exercised when relying upon any content contained within this article.

When investing, your capital is at risk. The value of your investments can go down as well as up and you may get back less than you put in.

Read More

The content of this article is provided for information purposes only and is not intended to be, nor does it constitute, any form of personal advice. Investments in a currency other than sterling are exposed to currency exchange risk. Currency exchange rates are constantly changing, which may affect the value of the investment in sterling terms. You could lose money in sterling even if the stock price rises in the currency of origin. Stocks listed on overseas exchanges may be subject to additional dealing and exchange rate charges, and may have other tax implications, and may not provide the same, or any, regulatory protection as in the UK.

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More.

When deciding which stocks are most appealing for income-seeking investors, mining companies are usually not included. That’s simply because, historically, their yields have not been as high as those of insurers or utility stocks, for example, but also because their earnings and financial outlook are relatively volatile and open to sudden shocks such as a fall in the price of a key commodity which they produce.

Clearly, Rio Tinto’s (LSE: RIO) (NYSE: RIO.US) appeal as an income stock is hampered somewhat by its large exposure to iron ore. In fact, it relies on the sale of the steel-making ingredient for around 90% of its profit and, as such, is less stable than index peers in other sectors. However, Rio Tinto’s yield, dividend coverage ratio, growth prospects and valuation mark it out as a top notch income stock.

For example, Rio Tinto currently yields a whopping 5.3%, which is among the highest on offer in the FTSE 100. This compares very favourably to the likes of RSA (LSE: RSA) and Pennon (LSE: PNN), which are perhaps viewed as more traditional income plays. They yield 2.6% and 4% respectively, which are a long way behind Rio Tinto’s yield. And, even though both RSA and Pennon are forecast to increase their dividends significantly next year so as to trade on forward yields of 3.6% and 4.3% in 2016, Rio Tinto is expected to do the same and, as a result, should yield 5.5% next year.

Of course, there is more to the income appeal of a stock than a fast-growing, high yield. The sustainability of dividends are also hugely important, since a dividend cut not only means less income for the company’s investors, but can also lead to a significant fall in the company’s share price.

However, on this front, Rio Tinto also impresses, with its dividends set to be covered a healthy 1.3 times by profit next year. Although this is lower than RSA’s dividend cover of 2.2 and is less appealing than Pennon’s coverage ratio of 1.2 (since Pennon is a more stable business, it can pay out a greater proportion of earnings as a dividend and still offer a sustainable income outlook), Rio Tinto can clearly afford its current level of payments. As such, its outlook as an income stock seems to be sound.

Looking ahead, Rio Tinto also offers superb growth prospects alongside a great dividend. For example, its bottom line is expected to rise by 20% next year, versus a rise of 13% for RSA and an increase in earnings of 8% for Pennon. As such, Rio Tinto appears to have a positive catalyst to push its share price higher, while its price to earnings growth (PEG) ratio of 0.7 also compares favourably to RSA’s PEG ratio of 1 and Pennon’s PEG ratio of 2.3.

Therefore, while its profitability may be hit by a fall in the price of iron ore, this appears to be fully priced in, meaning that Rio Tinto is a more appealing income stock than either RSA or Pennon.

Should you invest, the value of your investment may rise or fall and your capital is at risk. Before investing, your individual circumstances should be assessed. Consider taking independent financial advice.

Peter Stephens owns shares of Pennon Group, Rio Tinto, and RSA Insurance Group. The Motley Fool UK has no position in any of the shares mentioned. We Fools don't all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.

More on Investing Articles

Investing Articles

5 steps to start buying shares with under £500

Learn how this writer would start buying shares with a few hundred pounds in a handful of steps, if he…

Read more »

Young happy white woman loading groceries into the back of her car
Investing Articles

The FTSE 100 offers some great bargains. Is this one?

Our writer digs into one FTSE 100 share that has had a rough 2024 to date, ahead of its interim…

Read more »

Smiling white woman holding iPhone with Airpods in ear
Investing Articles

£9,000 of savings? Here’s my 3-step approach to aim for £1,794 in passive income

Christopher Ruane walks through the practical steps he would take to try and turn £9,000 into a sizeable passive income…

Read more »

Group of young friends toasting each other with beers in a pub
Investing Articles

I’d buy 29,412 shares of this UK dividend stock for £150 a month in passive income

Insiders have been buying this dividend stock, which offers an 8.5% yield. Roland Head explains why he’d choose the shares…

Read more »

Red briefcase with the words Budget HM Treasury embossed in gold
Investing Articles

Could the new UK budget spell growth for these 6 FTSE stocks? I think so!

Mark David Hartley considers six UK stocks that could enjoy growth off the back of new measures announced in the…

Read more »

Investing Articles

With a 6.6% yield, is now the right time to add this income stock to my ISA?

Our writer’s looking to boost his Stocks and Shares ISA. With this in mind, he’s debating whether to buy a…

Read more »

Dividend Shares

This blue-chip FTSE stock just fell 12.5% in a day. Is it time to consider buying?

Smith & Nephew is a well-known, blue-chip FTSE stock with a decent dividend yield. And its share price just dropped…

Read more »

Investing Articles

At 72p, the Vodafone share price looks to be at least 33% undervalued to me

Our writer looks at a number of valuation measures to determine whether the Vodafone share price reflects the fair value…

Read more »