Korn Ferry (NYSE:KFY) will increase its dividend from last year's comparable payment on the 15th of April to $0.48. This makes the dividend yield 2.2%, which is above the industry average.
See our latest analysis for Korn Ferry
We like to see robust dividend yields, but that doesn't matter if the payment isn't sustainable. Before making this announcement, Korn Ferry was easily earning enough to cover the dividend. This means that most of what the business earns is being used to help it grow.
The next year is set to see EPS grow by 31.9%. Assuming the dividend continues along recent trends, we think the payout ratio could be 29% by next year, which is in a pretty sustainable range.
The company has an extended history of paying stable dividends. Since 2015, the dividend has gone from $0.40 total annually to $1.48. This works out to be a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 14% a year over that time. It is good to see that there has been strong dividend growth, and that there haven't been any cuts for a long time.
Some investors will be chomping at the bit to buy some of the company's stock based on its dividend history. Korn Ferry has impressed us by growing EPS at 11% per year over the past five years. With a decent amount of growth and a low payout ratio, we think this bodes well for Korn Ferry's prospects of growing its dividend payments in the future.
In summary, it is always positive to see the dividend being increased, and we are particularly pleased with its overall sustainability. Earnings are easily covering distributions, and the company is generating plenty of cash. All of these factors considered, we think this has solid potential as a dividend stock.
Market movements attest to how highly valued a consistent dividend policy is compared to one which is more unpredictable. Meanwhile, despite the importance of dividend payments, they are not the only factors our readers should know when assessing a company. Companies that are growing earnings tend to be the best dividend stocks over the long term. See what the 5 analysts we track are forecasting for Korn Ferry for free with public analyst estimates for the company. If you are a dividend investor, you might also want to look at our curated list of high yield dividend stocks.
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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.