Is this dividend star also the best bargain in the FTSE 100?

This FTSE 100 stock pays a whopping 8%+ yield, looks very undervalued against its peers, and is set for stellar earnings growth in the next three years.

| 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.

FTSE 100 global investment manager M&G (LSE: MNG) has now recouped nearly all its losses from March 2023. 

These came from fears of a new financial crisis after Silicon Valley Bank and Credit Suisse failed.

A genuine financial crisis does remain a risk for the stock. And there have been concerns from some about its debt level.

It has a debt-to-equity ratio of just over 2. A healthy figure for many companies is regarded as being up to around 1.5.

However, for firms in high-cash-flow businesses — like insurance and investment — anywhere up to 2.5 or so is considered fine.

I believe this risk for M&G is mitigated further by short-term assets (£34.3bn) far outweighing its short-term liabilities (£13.1bn).

Additionally, its H1 2023 results show it should achieve operating capital generation of £2.5bn by end-2024. This huge cash war chest will allow it further leeway in meeting its debt obligations.

It can also provide a powerful engine for further growth. Analysts’ expectations are for earnings and revenue to increase, respectively, by 37.1% and 109.6% a year to the end of 2026.

Earnings per share is expected to grow by 39.3% a year to that point.

A dividend star

For 2022, M&G paid 19.6p a share, which — based on the current £2.26 price — yields 8.7%.

This could well increase, as the interim dividend for 2023 rose to 6.5 from 6.2p in 2022. If this was applied to the total dividend then the payment would be 20.54p. At the current share price, this would give a yield of 9.1%.

Before that, M&G provided a dividend yield of 9.2% in 2021, from an 18.3p payout. The yield was the same in 2020, from an 18.23p payout.

By comparison, the average yield of the FTSE 100 in 2022, 2021, and 2020 was 3.7%, 3.7%, and 3.2%, respectively.

The best bargain in the Footsie?

There are many bargains currently in the FTSE 100. This is partly due to a broad mark-down of UK economic prospects after the Brexit decision in 2016, justified or not. And it is also due to a lack of technology stocks that have powered gains in other global indices.

Overall, the FTSE 100 traded at an average price-to-book (P/B) of around 2 in 2023, and it remains about the same now. This compares to about 4.2 for the S&P 500 in 2023 and around 4.7 now.

For M&G shares, their recovery from March 2023’s mini-financial crisis does not mean they have no value left.

Using the P/B metric, the stock is trading at the bottom of its peer group, at just 1.3.

Man Group is at 2.3, Intermediate Capital Group at 2.6, St. James’s Place at 2.8, and Hargreaves Lansdown at 4.9. This gives a peer group average of 3.2.

A discounted cash flow analysis shows M&G shares to be around 46% undervalued at the current price of £2.26.

Therefore, a fair value would be around £4.19.

The stock may never reach that price, of course. However, it does confirm to me that it looks like one of the best bargains in the FTSE 100.

Given its strong earnings outlook, high yield, and good value share price, I am happy to keep my holding in the company.

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.

Simon Watkins has positions in M&g Plc. The Motley Fool UK has recommended Hargreaves Lansdown Plc and M&g Plc. 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 »