Exelon (NASDAQ:EXC) Will Pay A Larger Dividend Than Last Year At $0.36
Exelon Corporation (NASDAQ:EXC) has announced that it will be increasing its dividend from last year's comparable payment on the 9th of June to $0.36. The payment will take the dividend yield to 3.4%, which is in line with the average for the industry.
Check out our latest analysis for Exelon
Exelon's Earnings Easily Cover The Distributions
We aren't too impressed by dividend yields unless they can be sustained over time. Based on the last payment, Exelon's earnings were much higher than the dividend, but it wasn't converting those earnings into cash flow. In general, we consider cash flow to be more important than earnings, so we would be cautious about relying on the sustainability of this dividend.
The next year is set to see EPS grow by 32.0%. If the dividend continues along recent trends, we estimate the payout ratio will be 53%, which is in the range that makes us comfortable with the sustainability of the dividend.
Dividend Volatility
The company's dividend history has been marked by instability, with at least one cut in the last 10 years. The dividend has gone from an annual total of $2.10 in 2013 to the most recent total annual payment of $1.44. This works out to be a decline of approximately 3.7% per year over that time. A company that decreases its dividend over time generally isn't what we are looking for.
Dividend Growth Potential Is Shaky
With a relatively unstable dividend, it's even more important to see if earnings per share is growing. Over the past five years, it looks as though Exelon's EPS has declined at around 12% a year. A sharp decline in earnings per share is not great from from a dividend perspective. Even conservative payout ratios can come under pressure if earnings fall far enough. Over the next year, however, earnings are actually predicted to rise, but we would still be cautious until a track record of earnings growth can be built.
Exelon's Dividend Doesn't Look Sustainable
Overall, we always like to see the dividend being raised, but we don't think Exelon will make a great income stock. While the low payout ratio is a redeeming feature, this is offset by the minimal cash to cover the payments. This company is not in the top tier of income providing stocks.
Companies possessing a stable dividend policy will likely enjoy greater investor interest than those suffering from a more inconsistent approach. However, there are other things to consider for investors when analysing stock performance. Just as an example, we've come across 3 warning signs for Exelon you should be aware of, and 1 of them shouldn't be ignored. Is Exelon not quite the opportunity you were looking for? Why not check out our selection of top 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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