These are not good times for income-oriented investors. Rising interest rates have put downward pressure on many high-yielding stocks, reducing the market value of their portfolios.
The dividends are still being paid. But people are getting edgy as they see the price of their shares pull back. No one likes a shrinking portfolio.
Fortunately, there are a few dividend stocks that are bucking the trend. Here are two. Prices are as of midday on Aug. 20.
Norbord Inc. (TSX, NYSE: OSB)
- Type: Common stock
- Current price: $56.08, US$42.93
- Annual payout: $2.40 (variable)
- Yield: 4.28 per cent
- Risk Rating: Higher risk
- Website: www.norbord.com
Comments: Norbord shareholders received a pleasant surprise earlier this month when the board approved a special stock dividend of $4.50 for shareholders of record as of Sept. 1. Not surprisingly, the share price jumped on the news.
The announcement came after the company posted the best second-quarter results in its history with adjusted earnings of US$167-million (US$1.92 a share, fully diluted), compared with $US95-million ($1.10) in the same quarter last year.
Norbord manufactures oriented strand board (OSB), which is used in home construction. It is a cyclical company that is currently benefiting from high prices and strong demand for its products. Chief executive officer Peter Wijnbergen says that is expected to continue.
“Given the positive outlook for OSB demand in North America and Europe driven by continued growth in the construction and renovation of homes, as well as meaningful growth in industrial end uses and export markets, Norbord is well positioned to continue to return excess capital to shareholders, including through share repurchases," he said.
But a word of warning. This is a boom or bust company. Right now, it is going through a boom phase. But as recently as March, 2017, the quarterly dividend was only 10 cents a share and the stock was trading at around the $30 level. So, if you own the stock, enjoy the ride for now but be prepared to sell at the first sign of a slowdown in home construction.
If you don’t have a position and buy before Sept. 1, you will receive the special dividend, but the share price will probably drop after that date to reflect the big payout.
Pembina Pipeline Corp. (TSX: PPL, NYSE: PBA)
- Type: Common stock
- Current price: $46.04, US$35.26
- Annual payout: $2.28
- Yield: 4.95 per cent
- Risk rating: Moderate
- Website: www.pembina.com
Comments: The company recently released strong second-quarter results that drove the price higher despite the headwind of higher interest rates.
All the numbers were impressive. Revenue came in at $1.9-billion, up from $1.2-billion in the same period of 2017. For the first six months of the fiscal year, revenue was $3.8-billion, compared with $2.6-billion the year before. The acquisition of Veresen last year was a major contributor to the revenue growth.
Earnings were $246-million (43 cents a share), up from $117-million (24 cents) in the second quarter of 2017. For the first six months, Pembina earned $576-million ($1.02 ) compared with $327-million (72 cents) the year before.
“We are seeing strong customer demand for our services, leading to higher volumes and increased utilization in the pipelines and facilities divisions, combined with rising commodity prices which drive solid performance in our marketing business,” CEO Mick Dilger said.
The monthly dividend was increased by a penny in May to 19 cents a share ($2.28 a year).
My newsletter rating on this stock is a buy as I see it as the best choice in the pipeline sector right now. Consult your financial adviser before making a decision.
Gordon Pape is editor and publisher of the Internet Wealth Builder and Income Investor newsletters.
Gordon Pape