Today is Thursday, January 2, 2020, and this is your daily dividend safety update. Today we’re looking at Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY) stock to see whether its 2.59% dividend is safe.
High-yield dividend stocks can be very useful to investors of all ages. Younger investors can use dividend reinvestment plans (DRIPs) to grow their portfolios exponentially over time, while retirees can use them to generate passive income.
In both cases, it’s preferable to buy dividend stocks with steady or rising dividends – and avoid those that cut their dividends.
Let’s look at the payout ratio, cash flow growth, and dividend history of Bristol-Myers Squibb to gauge the probability of a dividend cut in the next few years.
Payout Ratio (Dividends/Earnings)
Bristol-Myers Squibb has a payout ratio of 47.11%. That’s low enough for us! Payout ratio equals dividends per share divided by earnings per share. A low payout ratio indicates that the company has plenty of money to cover its dividend. We’d be more concerned if the ratio was closer to 100% (or over it).
Cash Flow Growth Year-Over-Year
Bristol-Myers Squibb has grown its cash flow by 124.27% in the last year. That’s a good omen for dividend investors! When a company grows its cash flow, it can use some of that extra cash to strengthen — or even raise — its dividend.
Dividend History & Recent Cuts
Bristol-Myers Squibb has not cut its dividend in the recent past. That’s a good sign. It’s not a guarantee that the company will never cut its dividend, but companies that have cut their dividends recently are generally more likely to cut them again.
The Takeaway
Bristol-Myers Squibb stock has failed 0 of our 3 dividend safety metrics. With that in mind, we believe a dividend cut is unlikely in the next few years.
Editor’s Note: We’ve been keeping an eye on some dividend stocks that could be better for your income portfolio than Bristol-Myers Squibb. These dividends are much bigger — and safer — than the paltry yields many investors settle for. Enter your email below to learn more.
