2 unloved dividend stocks I’d buy today

These two income stocks look attractive despite recent declines.

| 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.

Royal Mail (LSE: RMG) has quickly established itself as one of the FTSE 100’s top dividend stocks, despite concerns about the group’s long-term earnings growth potential. 

As concerns grow about the state of the UK letter and parcel market, Royal mail has been busy trying to establish itself as one of the industry’s most cost effective and efficient operators with international as well as national exposure. Management has slashed costs across the business and is also trying to monetise the group’s enormous property portfolio, which is worth hundreds of millions of pounds. 

Expanding overseas

At the beginning of June, Royal Mail announced that conditional contracts had been exchanged for the sale of two of the seven plots on its Nine Elms site to Greystar for £101m in cash. These actions are not only designed to help improve the company’s balance sheet, but they will also help fund growth overseas. 

At the beginning of April, the company invested around £11m in US overnight parcel delivery company Postal Express through its General Logistics Systems global business. For the financial year ending 26 March, General Logistics had operations in 41 European countries and seven states in the US. Revenue for the period from this division was £2.1bn, up 9% year-on-year, offsetting much of the decline in the UK business.

Royal Mail’s international expansion and balance sheet strengthening through asset monetisation should help the group maintain and increase its hefty dividend payout. Shares in the company currently support a dividend yield of 5.4% and the payout is covered twice by earnings per share, leaving plenty of payout headroom for dividend growth. 

City analysts are predicting steady payout increases in the years ahead and based on current estimates, the shares should yield 5.9% for 2019. At the time of writing, shares in the international delivery company trade at a forward P/E of 9.6.

Weak growth high yield 

Shares in IG Group (LSE: IGG) took a dive at the end of last year when city regulators announced they were planning to clamp down on the company’s core CFD trading market. Initially, IG’s response to this news was positive, as management believes the company’s core customer base is mainly professional investors who will likely be exempt from any change. 

However, the market remains unconvinced and today shares in the company still trade around a third below the level before the announcement. City analysts are sceptical too, predicting little to no earnings growth for the company during the next three financial years. Nonetheless, even though no earnings growth is expected, the company’s dividend payout remains well covered (1.4 times by earnings per share) and at the time of writing the shares support a dividend yield of 5.7%. And just like Royal Mail, shares in the financial services company trade at a relatively attractive forward P/E of 12.5.

The bottom line

Overall, even though the City has turned its back on these two companies as their growth prospects dim, they both remain attractive income plays with 5%-plus dividend yields and payouts that are well covered by earnings per share.

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.

Rupert Hargreaves has no position in any shares mentioned. The Motley Fool UK has no position in any of the shares mentioned. Views expressed on the companies mentioned in this article are those of the writer and therefore may differ from the official recommendations we make in our subscription services such as Share Advisor, Hidden Winners and Pro. Here at The Motley Fool we believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.

More on Investing Articles

Bearded man writing on notepad in front of computer
Investing Articles

Could a 2025 penny share takeover boom herald big profits for investors?

When penny share owners get caught up in a takeover battle, what might happen? Christopher Ruane looks at some potential…

Read more »

Young woman working at modern office. Technical price graph and indicator, red and green candlestick chart and stock trading computer screen background.
Investing Articles

3 value shares for investors to consider buying in 2025

Some value shares blew the roof off during 2024, so here are three promising candidates for investors to consider next…

Read more »

Investing Articles

Can this takeover news give Aviva shares the boost we’ve been waiting for?

Aviva shares barely move as news of the agreed takeover of Direct Line emerges. Shareholders might not see it as…

Read more »

Investing Articles

2 cheap FTSE 250 growth shares to consider in 2025!

These FTSE 250 shares have excellent long-term investment potential, says Royston Wild. Here's why he thinks they might also be…

Read more »

A pastel colored growing graph with rising rocket.
Investing Articles

Has the 2024 Scottish Mortgage share price rise gone under the radar?

The Scottish Mortgage share price rise has meant a good year for the trust so far, but not as good…

Read more »

Investing Articles

Will the easyJet share price hit £10 in 2025?

easyJet has been trading well with rising earnings, which reflects in the elevated share price, but there may be more…

Read more »

Investing Articles

2 FTSE shares I won’t touch with a bargepole in 2025

The FTSE 100 and the FTSE 250 have some quality stocks. But there are others that Stephen Wright thinks he…

Read more »

Dividend Shares

How investing £15 a day could yield £3.4k in annual passive income

Jon Smith flags up how by accumulating regular modest amounts and investing in dividend shares, an investor can build passive…

Read more »