Main Street Capital (NYSE:MAIN) Is Increasing Its Dividend To $0.235
Main Street Capital Corporation (NYSE:MAIN) has announced that it will be increasing its dividend from last year's comparable payment on the 13th of October to $0.235. This will take the annual payment to 6.9% of the stock price, which is above what most companies in the industry pay.
See our latest analysis for Main Street Capital
Main Street Capital Is Paying Out More Than It Is Earning
Impressive dividend yields are good, but this doesn't matter much if the payments can't be sustained. Prior to this announcement, Main Street Capital's earnings easily covered the dividend, but free cash flows were negative. No cash flows could definitely make returning cash to shareholders difficult, or at least mean the balance sheet will come under pressure.
Looking forward, earnings per share is forecast to fall by 14.6% over the next year. If the dividend continues along recent trends, we estimate the payout ratio could reach 100%, which could put the dividend in jeopardy if the company's earnings don't improve.
Dividend Volatility
While the company has been paying a dividend for a long time, it has cut the dividend at least once in the last 10 years. Since 2013, the annual payment back then was $1.80, compared to the most recent full-year payment of $2.82. This implies that the company grew its distributions at a yearly rate of about 4.6% over that duration. The dividend has seen some fluctuations in the past, so even though the dividend was raised this year, we should remember that it has been cut in the past.
Main Street Capital Could Grow Its Dividend
Given that the dividend has been cut in the past, we need to check if earnings are growing and if that might lead to stronger dividends in the future. Main Street Capital has seen EPS rising for the last five years, at 5.8% per annum. While on an earnings basis, this company looks appealing as an income stock, the cash payout ratio still makes us cautious.
Our Thoughts On Main Street Capital's Dividend
Overall, we always like to see the dividend being raised, but we don't think Main Street Capital will make a great income stock. While the low payout ratio is a redeeming feature, this is offset by the minimal cash to cover the payments. We don't think Main Street Capital is a great stock to add to your portfolio if income is your focus.
It's important to note that companies having a consistent dividend policy will generate greater investor confidence than those having an erratic one. Meanwhile, despite the importance of dividend payments, they are not the only factors our readers should know when assessing a company. Just as an example, we've come across 5 warning signs for Main Street Capital you should be aware of, and 2 of them are potentially serious. If you are a dividend investor, you might also want to look at our curated list of high yield dividend stocks.
Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.
This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
