Deep Dive into Nutrien Ltd's Dividend Performance and Sustainability

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An in-depth analysis of Nutrien Ltd's dividend history, growth, and prospects

Nutrien Ltd (NYSE:NTR) recently announced a dividend of $0.53 per share, payable on 2023-10-13, with the ex-dividend date set for 2023-09-28. As investors look forward to this upcoming payment, the spotlight also shines on the company's dividend history, yield, and growth rates. Using the data from GuruFocus, let's deep dive into Nutrien Ltd's dividend performance and assess its sustainability.

What Does Nutrien Ltd Do?

Created in 2018 as a result of the merger between PotashCorp and Agrium, Nutrien is the world's largest fertilizer producer by capacity. Nutrien produces the three main crop nutrients--nitrogen, potash, and phosphate--although its main focus is potash, where it is the global leader in installed capacity with roughly 20% share. The company is also the largest agricultural retailer in the United States, selling fertilizers, crop chemicals, seeds, and services directly to farm customers through its brick-and-mortar stores and online platforms.

Deep Dive into Nutrien Ltd's Dividend Performance and Sustainability
Deep Dive into Nutrien Ltd's Dividend Performance and Sustainability

A Glimpse at Nutrien Ltd's Dividend History

Nutrien Ltd has maintained a consistent dividend payment record since 1990. Dividends are currently distributed on a quarterly basis. Below is a chart showing annual Dividends Per Share for tracking historical trends.

Deep Dive into Nutrien Ltd's Dividend Performance and Sustainability
Deep Dive into Nutrien Ltd's Dividend Performance and Sustainability

Breaking Down Nutrien Ltd's Dividend Yield and Growth

As of today, Nutrien Ltd currently has a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 3.23% and a 12-month forward dividend yield of 3.39%. This suggests an expectation of increased dividend payments over the next 12 months.

Over the past three years, Nutrien Ltd's annual dividend growth rate was 4.00%. Extended to a five-year horizon, this rate increased to 7.90% per year. And over the past decade, Nutrien Ltd's annual dividends per share growth rate stands at -1.50%.

Based on Nutrien Ltd's dividend yield and five-year growth rate, the 5-year yield on cost of Nutrien Ltd stock as of today is approximately 4.72%.

Deep Dive into Nutrien Ltd's Dividend Performance and Sustainability
Deep Dive into Nutrien Ltd's Dividend Performance and Sustainability

The Sustainability Question: Payout Ratio and Profitability

To assess the sustainability of the dividend, one needs to evaluate the company's payout ratio. The dividend payout ratio provides insights into the portion of earnings the company distributes as dividends. A lower ratio suggests that the company retains a significant part of its earnings, thereby ensuring the availability of funds for future growth and unexpected downturns. As of 2023-06-30, Nutrien Ltd's dividend payout ratio is 0.28.

Nutrien Ltd's profitability rank, offers an understanding of the company's earnings prowess relative to its peers. GuruFocus ranks Nutrien Ltd's profitability 8 out of 10 as of 2023-06-30, suggesting good profitability prospects. The company has reported positive net income for each of year over the past decade, further solidifying its high profitability.

Growth Metrics: The Future Outlook

To ensure the sustainability of dividends, a company must have robust growth metrics. Nutrien Ltd's growth rank of 8 out of 10 suggests that the company's growth trajectory is good relative to its competitors.

Revenue is the lifeblood of any company, and Nutrien Ltd's revenue per share, combined with the 3-year revenue growth rate, indicates a strong revenue model. Nutrien Ltd's revenue has increased by approximately 28.10% per year on average, a rate that outperforms than approximately 75.89% of global competitors.

The company's 3-year EPS growth rate showcases its capability to grow its earnings, a critical component for sustaining dividends in the long run. During the past three years, Nutrien Ltd's earnings increased by approximately 104.90% per year on average, a rate that outperforms than approximately 89.16% of global competitors.

Conclusion

With a consistent dividend payment history, a healthy dividend yield, and robust growth metrics, Nutrien Ltd presents a promising investment opportunity for dividend-focused investors. The company's low payout ratio and high profitability rank further reinforce the sustainability of its dividends. However, like any investment, it's essential to conduct thorough research and consider all relevant factors before making a decision.

GuruFocus Premium users can screen for high-dividend yield stocks using the High Dividend Yield Screener.

This article first appeared on GuruFocus.

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