This FTSE 100 share keeps growing its dividend. I’d buy!

Christopher Ruane owns shares in this FTSE 100 business with a long track record of regular dividend increases. He’d happily buy more today.

| 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.

A pastel colored growing graph with rising rocket.

Image source: Getty Images

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.

One of the things I like about investing in FTSE 100 companies is the income prospects they offer me.

This month, a FTSE 100 share in my portfolio raised its annual dividend 6.5%. Not only that, but this was the 29th year in a row the annual payout had grown. Yet its share price today is substantially cheaper than it was five years ago!

If I had spare money to invest today, I would happily snap up more of its shares for my portfolio.

Should you invest £1,000 in Lloyds Banking Group right now?

When investing expert Mark Rogers has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the flagship Motley Fool Share Advisor newsletter he has run for nearly a decade has provided thousands of paying members with top stock recommendations from the UK and US markets. And right now, Mark thinks there are 6 standout stocks that investors should consider buying. Want to see if Lloyds Banking Group made the list?

See the 6 stocks

Serial dividend raiser

The company in question is DCC (LSE: DCC). The name might not be familiar despite the business being a FTSE 100 enterprise.

It has a conglomerate structure, meaning it operates under a variety of different brands. Many of these are in its energy business. DCC is one of the leading suppliers of bottled gas in multiple markets. But it also operates a healthcare business and is active in the technology field.

Energy represents the lion’s share of DCC’s business. Last year, the division accounted for 70% of the company’s total adjusted operating profits of £656m.

Given the high energy prices seen last year, its strong performance came as no surprise. But does its focus on energy involve the risk of a dividend cut as gas prices fall?

Strong business model

I do see a risk. After all, no dividend is ever guaranteed – and past performance is not necessarily an indicator of future success.

Still, DCC’s business model has been proven over decades, including multiple energy market cycles.

Last year’s dividend of £1.87 per share was more than covered by earnings. Adjusted earnings were £4.56 per share, while basic earnings came in at £3.38 per share.

On a free cash flow basis too, the dividend was comfortably covered. Free cash flow for the year came in at £570m. Paying dividends cost the FTSE 100 firm the far smaller sum of £178m.

With that sort of coverage, I reckon DCC could continue its long streak of annual dividend increases, even if earnings fall.

Risk environment

I do have some concerns about future earnings, as it happens. Debt has grown sharply. Net debt jumped 47% last year to £1.1bn. That figure includes lease creditors, but I still think the rapid growth in debt is a risk to profits, especially in a time of rising interest rates.

The flipside is that the company has been incurring debt to fund acquisitions. That could boost earnings potential this year and beyond.

The healthcare division has also been performing weakly, with operating profits falling 8.6% last year.  But that might be due to a customer stock overhang. Once that has worked through the system, hopefully revenue growth will return. But that could take time.

I’d buy!

Despite these risks, I think the company is well-positioned and benefits from a simple but proven business model.

Created with Highcharts 11.4.3Dcc Plc PriceZoom1M3M6MYTD1Y5Y10YALL11 May 201824 Apr 2025Zoom ▾2019202020212022202320242025202020202022202220242024www.fool.co.uk

DCC is throwing off large free cash flows. I expect that to continue even in an environment of lower energy prices. Its bottled gas businesses often benefit from a captive market, with few sizeable competitors.

Such free cash flows can help support the dividend. As one of the FTSE 100’s Dividend Aristocrats, I like the long-term income prospects offered by holding DCC shares in my portfolio.

Should you invest £1,000 in Lloyds Banking Group right now?

When investing expert Mark Rogers has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the flagship Motley Fool Share Advisor newsletter he has run for nearly a decade has provided thousands of paying members with top stock recommendations from the UK and US markets.

And right now, Mark thinks there are 6 standout stocks that investors should consider buying. Want to see if Lloyds Banking Group made the list?

See the 6 stocks

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.

C Ruane has positions in Dcc Plc. 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

Investor looking at stock graph on a tablet with their finger hovering over the Buy button
Investing Articles

£10,000 invested in Lloyds shares on 7 April is already worth…

After a dip in early April, Lloyds shares are back to their 30%+ year-to-date gain in 2025. And analysts are…

Read more »

US Stock

What I’d look to buy as the US stock market heads for the worst month since 1932

Jon Smith sifts through the US stock market to try and find some ideas that have fallen in value recently…

Read more »

Growth Shares

Prediction: I think £1,000 invested in this UK stock could double by 2030

Jon Smith runs through a FTSE 250 stock with a market cap just over £1bn that he feels has the…

Read more »

Investing Articles

With £10k in savings, here’s how an investor could target a second income of £500 a month

£10k in savings could be the foundation needed towards a powerful second income. Our writer details some steps necessary to…

Read more »

Asian man looking concerned while studying paperwork at his desk in an office
Investing For Beginners

£1k invested in the FTSE 100 on ‘Liberation Day’ is now worth…

Jon Smith talks about the volatility in the FTSE 100 in the weeks since the tariff announcements and flags up…

Read more »

Long-term vs short-term investing concept on a staircase
Investing Articles

Barclays’ share price is down 7% from March, so is now the right time for me to buy?

Barclays’ share price has dipped recently, which could mean a bargain to be had. I took a deep dive into…

Read more »

Investing Articles

Down 13% since March, does this rising FTSE 250 defence star look an unmissable buy for me?

The FTSE 250 is currently home to many of the big stock stars of tomorrow and I think this high-tech…

Read more »

Investing Articles

Should I buy Aston Martin shares for my ISA while they’re under 70p?

With Aston Martin's shares down hugely across multiple time frames, this writer is wondering if he should snap up some…

Read more »