360 DigiTech's (NASDAQ:QFIN) Dividend Is Being Reduced To CN¥0.15
360 DigiTech, Inc.'s (NASDAQ:QFIN) dividend is being reduced from last year's payment covering the same period to CN¥0.15 on the 19th of May. The yield is still above the industry average at 3.8%.
View our latest analysis for 360 DigiTech
360 DigiTech's Earnings Easily Cover The Distributions
If the payments aren't sustainable, a high yield for a few years won't matter that much. However, 360 DigiTech's earnings easily cover the dividend. This means that most of its earnings are being retained to grow the business.
The next year is set to see EPS grow by 63.8%. Assuming the dividend continues along recent trends, we think the payout ratio could be 1.7% by next year, which is in a pretty sustainable range.
360 DigiTech Doesn't Have A Long Payment History
It's not possible for us to make a backward looking judgement just based on a short payment history. This doesn't mean that the company can't pay a good dividend, but just that we want to wait until it can prove itself.
The Dividend Looks Likely To Grow
With a relatively unstable dividend, and a poor history of shrinking dividends, it's even more important to see if EPS is growing. We are encouraged to see that 360 DigiTech has grown earnings per share at 72% per year over the past five years. Rapid earnings growth and a low payout ratio suggest this company has been effectively reinvesting in its business. Should that continue, this company could have a bright future.
We Really Like 360 DigiTech's Dividend
It is generally not great to see the dividend being cut, but we don't think this should happen much if at all in the future given that 360 DigiTech has the makings of a solid income stock moving forward. Reducing the amount it is paying as a dividend can protect the company's balance sheet, keeping the dividend sustainable for longer. Taking this all into consideration, this looks like it could be a good dividend opportunity.
It's important to note that companies having a consistent dividend policy will generate greater investor confidence than those having an erratic one. However, there are other things to consider for investors when analysing stock performance. As an example, we've identified 3 warning signs for 360 DigiTech that you should be aware of before investing. If you are a dividend investor, you might also want to look at our curated list of high yield dividend stocks.
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This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
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