Q: Hi Peter, Ryan, and Team,
Your last answer to a 5i member (Peter) regarding the sustainability of AQN’s dividend is more positive than David Berman’s piece in today’s Globe & Mail.
In light of his article, where he repeated a comment by a Scotiabank analyst: “We have taken all dividend growth out of our model and, even still, the payout ratio remains 103 per cent of earnings per share in 2023 and 97 per cent in 2024,” Robert Hope, an analyst at Bank of Nova Scotia, said in a note.
Algonquin’s management said last week that it was targeting a dividend payout ratio of 80 per cent to 90 per cent, meaning that the company expects to distribute no more than 90 per cent of its profits as dividends over the longer term.
“This payout ratio target would be above its peers and, in general, makes growing the business without external equity more difficult. If the company does pursue a full reset, we could see a reduction in the dividend,” Mr. Hope said.
Is 5i still of the opinion that the dividend won’t be cut? My feeling is that if in fact the dividend is cut, the stock will decline even further, and as always, welcome your thoughts.
Your last answer to a 5i member (Peter) regarding the sustainability of AQN’s dividend is more positive than David Berman’s piece in today’s Globe & Mail.
In light of his article, where he repeated a comment by a Scotiabank analyst: “We have taken all dividend growth out of our model and, even still, the payout ratio remains 103 per cent of earnings per share in 2023 and 97 per cent in 2024,” Robert Hope, an analyst at Bank of Nova Scotia, said in a note.
Algonquin’s management said last week that it was targeting a dividend payout ratio of 80 per cent to 90 per cent, meaning that the company expects to distribute no more than 90 per cent of its profits as dividends over the longer term.
“This payout ratio target would be above its peers and, in general, makes growing the business without external equity more difficult. If the company does pursue a full reset, we could see a reduction in the dividend,” Mr. Hope said.
Is 5i still of the opinion that the dividend won’t be cut? My feeling is that if in fact the dividend is cut, the stock will decline even further, and as always, welcome your thoughts.