When Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers hands down the budget on 14 May, the pressing need for fiscal responsibility is likely to trump spending programs.
In an era of fake news, it’s getting more difficult to separate fact from fiction. Yet it’s imperative we do so because the consequences for being deceived can be enormous.
Is this the top dividend stock of 2020?
ASX investors looking for dividend income are likely eyeing off Washington H. Soul Pattinson & Co. Ltd (ASX:SOL) and licking their chops.
Together with BHP (ASX: BHP), CSL (ASX: CSL) and Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA), “WHSP” has established itself among the best ASX-listed shares for income. Even now, as COVID-19 isolation measures take hold on the economy, WHSP shares are moving forward as a leading dividend share for many investors because of a few important factors, discussed below.
Are ASX dividend income shares worth the risk?
One of the best things about investing on the Australian share market is the ability to generate long-term dividend income.
SOL pays fully franked dividends to shareholders. As of its 2019 annual report the company had over $554 million of franking credits available to pay with dividends to shareholders. That’s a lot! If you’re due to receive a dividend with franking, click here to use our free franking credits calculator (hint: bookmark the page).
Who is SOL?
SOL or WHSP is an investment company that has been on the ASX for over a century. Its history is in owning and operating Australian pharmacies, which is where the Soul Pattinson chemist chain comes from. You might have seen these chemists around Sydney, for example.
The Soul Pattinson Chemist business is now owned by Australian Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd (ASX: API), of which WHSP owns 19%. WHSP invests in a large number of companies across a variety of industries such as construction, finance, resources and telecommunications.
3 reasons to like SOL shares for dividends
1. Diversification
As the following chart demonstrates, SOL is one of the most diversified ‘holding’ companies on the ASX, with over $5.5 billion invested in various companies in different sectors, whether they are listed on the ASX or privately held companies.
This type of diversification or ‘non-correlated’ investing means a more stable income-generating portfolio for SOL which in turn means more stable dividends for investors.
As long-running Chairman Rob Millner put it last month, “We are pleased that the diversification of the portfolio and focus on resilient businesses which can perform well even in difficult conditions has placed WHSP in a good position to weather the storm we are seeing in financial markets.”
2. Track record
Amongst CBA, Westpac Banking Group (ASX: WBC), CSL and BHP, SOL shares have produced one of the most reliable dividend track records in ASX history. Of course, dividends are not guaranteed… but I think you’ll agree the following chart looks pretty consistent!
“Over the last 20 years to 31 January 2020, an investment in WHSP with dividends reinvested has increased by 11.1 times while the Index has increased just 4.2 times,” WHSP’s CEO Todd Barlow said in a March 2020 ASX update.
3. Optionality
SOL is able to generate a defensive dividend income stream for shareholders at a time when most other investment businesses are panicking because they have to meet client withdrawals or, frankly, they’ve never experienced a proper market decline. Since SOL is a company and not a trust or managed fund it does not have to enable redemptions or withdrawals of shareholder money – the money is already inside the company.
If you are indeed a long-term income investor – with a five, 10 or 20-year view – a holding company structure is preferable to a trust structure because the investors steering the investments don’t have to bother with ‘flows’ of money coming in-and-out. They can deploy capital confidently knowing the money is available to invest. In addition, the target investment companies (e.g. TPG, API, etc.) also prefer an investor like SOL on their register because they know SOL is likely to support them for the long run.
For example, SOL was topping up on shares of TPG Telecom at around 14 cents per share over 10 years ago during the GFC. It’s now trading around $7.70 per share and SOL owns over 20% of the company.
“We believe that the recent events will provide WHSP with opportunities to make new investments and we are actively looking for opportunities where our long-term, patient and disciplined investment approach can deliver outperformance for shareholders,” Barlow added.
Is it time to buy Soul Patts?
I’m watching Soul Patts closely because I think it’s run by very high-quality investors, has a diverse portfolio of good industrial businesses and combines them to produce a consistent stream of dividend income.
I don’t think Soul Patts shares are dirt cheap. For example, based on a yearly dividend payment of $0.59 (before franking) and growing at 3% per annum, my dividend valuation model puts the value of WHSP shares between $12 and $15. If I include franking, the valuation edges higher to between $15 and $20 per share — but that’s a little bit of a stretch.
I’m doing more work on WHSP this week for our Rask Invest community — Australian investors who pay to access our expert stock research.
Disclosure & Disclaimer: At the time of publishing, Owen does not have a financial interest in any of the companies mentioned. This article is published by The Rask Group Pty Ltd and contains general financial advice only. Always seek the advice of a licensed financial adviser before acting on the information. Past performance is not a guarantee of future performance.
