Canadian Investors: You Can’t Miss This Great Dividend Stock

AltaGas (TSX:ALA) looks attractive because of its stable earnings and dividends. But would it be prudent at these levels?

| More on:

The regulated utility and midstream company AltaGas (TSX:ALA) stock has had a strong start to 2020. It is up more than 12% so far this year. Though the stock is currently trading at its 52-week high at the moment, I think it still has a long way to go.

Stable earnings profile

AltaGas has a solid combination of natural gas transportation and distribution operations. It mainly operates through three segments: midstream, utilities, and power. The company’s utilities segment serves more than 1.6 million customers. While the utilities segment accounts for approximately half of its total earnings, the power segment contributes a small portion. Thus, higher exposure to regulated utility operations makes its earnings as well as dividends relatively stable.

AltaGas stock is currently trading at a dividend yield of 4.5%, notably higher than that of broader markets. The company pays dividends monthly, which last year accumulated to $1.04 per share. While some might have disliked its dividend cut last year, I think the stock is poised for stable dividends once again.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2019, AltaGas’s payout ratio exceeded 100%, which is not sustainable in the long term. However, higher expected earnings in 2020 could make things look good again. The payout ratio is the portion of the company’s earnings shared with its shareholders in the form of dividends.

AltaGas in 2020

Along with a passive income, AltaGas stock looks attractive for capital appreciation for the future as well. According to the management’s guidance for 2020, the company will likely grow more than 15% year over year.

The company intends to invest $900 million in capital projects in 2020, which is lower than the last year. However, given a strong dividend yield and a handsome earnings growth, AltaGas could be an attractive pick for a robust total return this year.

AltaGas stock has been rallying for a couple of months now. It has returned more than 45% in the last 12 months, including dividends. Thus, some profit booking might create downward pressure on the stock in the short term. However, it does not look expensive at the moment. AltaGas stock is trading at a forward P/E of 17.5 times, which is lower than its historical average valuation. Thus, based on the valuation front as well, the stock seems to have some run-up left.

Improving balance sheet

Another factor that long-term investors could like in AltaGas is its improving balance sheet. Utilities is generally an asset-heavy business, and thus, they carry a large amount of debt. AltaGas has been selling its less-efficient assets to pay back its debt for the last few years. In 2019, the company paid back around $3 billion of debt. Its improving balance sheet will likely enable future credit access at relatively better terms, which bodes well for the future.

The company plans to report its fourth-quarter and full-year 2019 earnings next week. How it fared in terms of debt repayments in Q4 will be interesting to see. Along with that, investors must be keen on any additional management commentary for 2020.

Conclusion

We have seen how AltaGas played out in the last few years and how its dividend profile looks attractive at the moment. But the million-dollar question investors will have is, why will it continue to outperform in the future? I think the most fundamental factor is its stable earnings profile.

As earlier stated, midstream and regulated utility operations facilitate steady earnings and dividend growth. Also, midstream operations generally have less direct exposure to natural gas prices and make it relatively less risky. Thus, ALA’s steady dividends and continued upward climb driven by fair earnings growth will likely continue to reward investors.

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.

The Motley Fool recommends ALTAGAS LTD. Fool contributor Vineet Kulkarni does not have any positions in the stocks mentioned.

More on Dividend Stocks

Dividend Stocks

Top Canadian Stocks to Buy Right Now With $1,000

Investing in stocks is not about timing but consistency. If you have $1,000 to invest, these stocks offer an attractive…

Read more »

cloud computing
Dividend Stocks

Is Manulife Stock a Buy for its 3.5% Dividend Yield?

Manulife stock has been a long-time dividend winner, but the average has come down over the last few years. So…

Read more »

Person holds banknotes of Canadian dollars
Dividend Stocks

This 7.5% Dividend Stock Pays Cash Every Single Month

Monthly dividend income can be a saviour, but especially when it provides passive income like this!

Read more »

jar with coins and plant
Dividend Stocks

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

These TSX stocks still offer attractive dividend yields.

Read more »

concept of real estate evaluation
Dividend Stocks

Invest $23,253 in This Stock for $110 in Monthly Passive Income

Dividend investors don’t need substantial capital to earn monthly passive income streams from an established dividend grower.

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

3 Mid-Cap Canadian Stocks That Offer Reliable Dividends

While blue-chip, large-cap stocks are the preferred choice for most conservative dividend investors, there are some solid picks in the…

Read more »

The letters AI glowing on a circuit board processor.
Dividend Stocks

Is OpenText Stock a Buy for Its 3.6% Dividend Yield?

OpenText stock has dropped 20% in the last year, yet now the company looks incredibly valuable, especially with a 3.6%…

Read more »

calculate and analyze stock
Dividend Stocks

How to Use Your TFSA to Earn $6,905.79 Per Year in Tax-Free Income

Put together a TFSA and this TSX stock, and you could create massive passive income from returns and dividends.

Read more »