This FTSE 100 insurer’s 6.8% dividend yield is forecast to keep rising. Is it time to add it to my passive income portfolio?

This top-tier FTSE stock raised its dividend 86% after terrific 2024 results, which means its very high yield can now generate strong passive income flows.

| More on:

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.

I own several shares specifically to generate a very high passive income. This is money made with minimal effort on my part, aside from choosing the stocks and monitoring their progress periodically.

These stocks have already enabled me to live a much better life than I would have done otherwise. And they should also allow me to enjoy an extremely comfortable retirement when I decide the time is right.

 My core passive income portfolio consists of M&G (current dividend yield 10.2%), Phoenix Group Holdings (9.5%), aberdeen (9.4%), Legal & General (8.8%), and British American Tobacco (7.4%).

Should you invest £1,000 in Banco Santander 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 Banco Santander made the list?

See the 6 stocks

There are other stocks I bought because I expect their dividend yield to soon rise above the 7%+ I require. Why this figure? Because I can get 4.8% from the risk-free rate (the 10-year UK government bond yield) and shares are not risk-free.

That said, my attention has been drawn to a new potential candidate for inclusion in this key portfolio for me.

What’s the new prospect?

FTSE 100 insurer Admiral (LSE: ADM) almost ticks my minimum dividend yield requirement box already. It paid a 192p dividend in 2024, which yields 6.8% on the current £28.41 share price.

Crucially though, analysts forecast this payout will rise to 206p in 2025, 209p in 2026 and 221p in 2027.

These would generate respective dividend yields of 7.3%, 7.4% and 7.8% — all well above my 7%+ floor.

Undervalued share price?

It also ticks my second criterion for inclusion in my passive income portfolio, which is an undervalued share price. This decreases the likelihood of my losing money on the share price if I ever sell it. Conversely, it increases the chance of my making a profit in that event.

A discounted cash flow analysis using other analysts’ figures and my own shows the stock is 49% undervalued right now.

That means the fair value for the shares is £55.71, although prices can (and do) go down as well as up.

Created with Highcharts 11.4.3Admiral Group Plc PriceZoom1M3M6MYTD1Y5Y10YALL1 Apr 20201 Apr 2025Zoom ▾Jul '20Jan '21Jul '21Jan '22Jul '22Jan '23Jul '23Jan '24Jul '24Jan '252021202120222022202320232024202420252025www.fool.co.uk

Strong core business?

Admiral also ticks the third and final requirement box for me, which is a strong core business. It is earnings growth that ultimately powers a stock’s price and dividend higher over time.

And in this insurer’s case, analysts forecast its earnings will rise 6.7% a year to the end of 2027.

This looks a conservative figure to me, given its excellent 2024 results. However, a risk to its earnings does remain the cut-throat competition in the insurance sector.

That said, its 2024 pre-tax profit of £839.2m was nearly double 2023’s £442.8m. As a result, earnings per share soared 95% to 216.6p and the dividend was increased 86% to its current 192p level.

How much passive income can be made?

Investors considering a £10,000 stake in Admiral would make £9,701 in dividends after 10 years on the average 6.8% yield. This would rise after 30 years to £66,465 on the same average yield. These numbers also factor in ‘dividend compounding’ being used to turbocharge these dividend returns.

Adding in the £10,000 initial stake and the Admiral holding would be worth £76,465 by then. On the same 6.8% yield, this would pay £5,200 a year in passive income by that point.

Consequently, I have seen enough to say that I will buy the shares very soon indeed.

Should you buy Banco Santander shares today?

Before you decide, please take a moment to review this first.

Because my colleague Mark Rogers – The Motley Fool UK’s Director of Investing – has released this special report.

It’s called ‘5 Stocks for Trying to Build Wealth After 50’.

And it’s yours, free.

Of course, the decade ahead looks hazardous. What with inflation recently hitting 40-year highs, a ‘cost of living crisis’ and threat of a new Cold War, knowing where to invest has never been trickier.

And yet, despite the UK stock market recently hitting a new all-time high, Mark and his team think many shares still trade at a substantial discount, offering savvy investors plenty of potential opportunities to strike.

That’s why now could be an ideal time to secure this valuable investment research.

Mark’s ‘Foolish’ analysts have scoured the markets low and high.

This special report reveals 5 of his favourite long-term ‘Buys’.

Please, don’t make any big decisions before seeing them.

Claim your free copy now

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 British American Tobacco P.l.c., Legal & General Group Plc, M&g Plc, Phoenix Group Plc, and aberdeen group. The Motley Fool UK has recommended Admiral Group Plc, British American Tobacco P.l.c., 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

Investing Articles

Could the S&P 500 be heading for an almighty crash?

Christopher Ruane shares his take on why he thinks the S&P 500 could be heading for a big fall at…

Read more »

Middle-aged white man pulling an aggrieved face while looking at a screen
Investing Articles

Down 64%, this FTSE 250 stock offers a 13% dividend yield for investors

This struggling investment banker has suffered significant losses in the past five years, but it has the second-highest yield on…

Read more »

Investing Articles

1 stock market ETF I’ve been buying during the sell-off

The stock market's been all over the place in April, creating a fertile breeding ground for long-term buying opportunities.

Read more »

Investing Articles

As the Sainsbury share price bucks the price-war trend on FY results, I examine the dividend prospects

The J Sainsbury share price has been regaining ground, despite growing fears of intense competition in the supermarket sector.

Read more »

The words "what's your plan for retirement" written on chalkboard on pavement somewhere in London
Investing Articles

Should I invest in a Stocks and Shares ISA or a SIPP to retire early?

Early retirement is the ultimate goal for many investors, but choosing between a Stocks and Shares ISA and a pension…

Read more »

Investing Articles

Is now a great time to consider buying Greggs shares?

Greggs shares have been hammered in 2025. But have they now fallen too far? Paul Summers takes another look at…

Read more »

Investing Articles

Is it still a great time to buy cheap shares as stock market crash fears recede?

Fear of a stock market crash can trigger panic selling... but that surely can't be the best thing to do…

Read more »

Hand of person putting wood cube block with word VALUE on wooden table
Investing Articles

The Vodafone share price is 24% undervalued, according to analysts

Our writer’s been looking at the latest targets for the Vodafone share price. Although there’s a wide variation, the average…

Read more »