Today is Thursday, May 23, 2019, and this is your daily dividend safety update. Today we’re looking at Clearway Energy (NYSE: CWEN) stock to see whether its 7.48% dividend is safe.
Editor’s Note: We’ve been keeping an eye on some dividend stocks that could be better for your income portfolio than Clearway Energy. These dividends are much bigger — and safer — than the paltry yields many investors settle for. Enter your email below to learn more.
Let’s look at the company’s payout ratio, cash flow growth, and dividend history to gauge the probability of a dividend cut in the next few years.
Payout Ratio (Dividends/Earnings)
Clearway Energy has a payout ratio of 1850%. That’s too high for our liking. Payout ratio equals dividends per share divided by earnings per share. Payout ratios near or over 100% indicate that the company might not be able to afford its dividend — or that it might have to borrow money to pay it.
Cash Flow Growth Year-Over-Year
Clearway Energy has not grown its cash flow in the last year. That’s a bad omen for dividend investors. No cash flow means no dividend, so if cash flow isn’t growing, that’s a problem for us.
Dividend History & Recent Cuts
Clearway Energy has a recent history of dividend cuts. In fact, it’s only been 1 year since the last cut. That’s not a good sign. Companies that have recently cut their dividend are generally more likely to cut them again.
The Takeaway
Clearway Energy stock has failed 3 of our 3 dividend safety metrics. With that in mind, we believe a dividend cut is very likely in the next few years.
Are you worried about the safety of your dividend stocks? Is there a particular stock you want us to grade next? Leave the ticker symbol in the comment section below.
