Should Income Investors Buy Inter Pipeline Ltd. (TSX:IPL) Stock Today?

Inter Pipeline (TSX:IPL) has a low payout ratio and has raised the dividend for 10 straight years. Why is the stock so cheap?

Sometimes a contrarian approach can deliver above-average yield and provide a shot at some nice upside gains when sentiment improves for a stock or an unloved segment of the market.

Let’s take a look at one high-yield stocks that might be an interesting buy right now for income investors with a bit of a stomach for volatility.

Inter Pipeline (TSX:IPL)

IPL traded for more than $38 per share in September 2014, which was right about the time the markets realized the energy sector was about to get hammered. The crash in the Canadian oil sector hit producers as well as all the companies that provide services to them and investors pretty much dumped any stock remotely connected to the oil patch.

IPL went into a steep slide, and by early 2016 was down to $20 per share. A year later it had moved back to just under $30, but another downturn in the energy industry took it below $20 near the end of 2018, and it currently trades for close to $22 per share.

Upside opportunity

The company isn’t an oil producer; it simply transports oil for conventional and oil sands producers. In addition, IPL has a natural gas liquids (NGL) processing division as well as a growing bulk liquids storage business in Europe. Revenue and earnings hit a record in 2018. In fact, funds flow from operations jumped 10% and net income rose 12% compared to the previous year. Throughput on the pipelines hit a new average high at 1.43 million barrels per day and the company raised the dividend for the 10th straight year.

On the growth side, a $3.5 billion development projects is scheduled to go into service by the end of 2021 and generate additional annual EBITDA of at least $450 million.

The payout ratio for 2019 was about 60%, so there shouldn’t be much risk for the dividend. In fact, IPL should have room to bump it up again this year even if cash flow remains at the 2018 level. Once the new assets are complete, investors could see larger hikes to the distribution, which is paid out monthly.

Should you buy?

At the time of writing IPL’s dividend provides a yield of 7.8%. That’s getting into the range where investors start to wonder if the market knows something they don’t. A shock could certainly happen and the distribution could get trimmed, but all indications right now suggest the payout should be safe. If you can handle the ups and downs of the energy sector, this might be a good time to take a contrarian position in this stock.

This article represents the opinion of the writer, who may disagree with the “official” recommendation position of a Motley Fool premium service or advisor. We’re Motley! Questioning an investing thesis — even one of our own — helps us all think critically about investing and make decisions that help us become smarter, happier, and richer, so we sometimes publish articles that may not be in line with recommendations, rankings or other content.

Fool contributor Andrew Walker has no position in any stock mentioned.

More on Dividend Stocks

investment research
Dividend Stocks

Best Stock to Buy Right Now: TD Bank vs Manulife Financial?

TD and Manulife can both be interesting stock picks for today, depending on your investment style.

Read more »

A worker gives a business presentation.
Dividend Stocks

2 Dividend Stocks to Double Up on Right Now

These stocks are out of favour but could deliver nice returns over the coming years.

Read more »

Man holds Canadian dollars in differing amounts
Dividend Stocks

This 5.5 Percent Dividend Stock Pays Cash Every Month

This defensive retail REIT could be your ticket to high monthly income.

Read more »

Confused person shrugging
Dividend Stocks

Passive Income: How Much Do You Need to Invest to Make $600 Per Month?

Do you want passive income coming in every single month? Here's how to make it and a top dividend ETF…

Read more »

Canadian Dollars bills
Dividend Stocks

3 Monthly-Paying Dividend Stocks to Boost Your Passive Income

Given their healthy cash flows and high yields, these three monthly-paying dividend stocks could boost your passive income.

Read more »

Make a choice, path to success, sign
Dividend Stocks

The TFSA Blueprint to Generate $3,695.48 in Yearly Passive Income

The blueprint to generate yearly passive income in a TFSA is to maximize the contribution limits.

Read more »

hand stacks coins
Dividend Stocks

3 Ultra-High-Yield Dividend Stocks You Can Buy and Hold for a Decade

These three high-yield dividend stocks still have some work to do, but each are in steady areas that are only…

Read more »

senior man and woman stretch their legs on yoga mats outside
Dividend Stocks

TFSA: 2 Canadian Stocks to Buy and Hold Forever

Here are 2 TFSA-worthy Canadian stocks. Which one is a good buy for your TFSA today?

Read more »