There are many reasons to invest in equities. Historically, they have offered higher capital returns than many other asset classes. Furthermore, they provide liquidity and diversification and allow investors to participate in the growth of high performing businesses and sectors. Not to be overlooked, however, is their capacity to provide an income stream through regular dividends. In the Month Ahead for July, we highlight a selection of Australian equities that offer superior forecast dividend yields and may be suitable investments for those seeking income.
Happy New Financial Year!
BHP Group (BHP)
BHP Group (ASX: BHP) is the largest diversified mining company in the world. BHP has extensive iron ore, copper, nickel and coal operations, and will soon add potash to its portfolio once its massive Jansen project comes online in late 2026. Besides nickel, which has proven volatile, the rest of BHP’s basket of market exposures share the similar characteristic of typically boasting bumper margins throughout the cycle. Over the last decade BHP has shifted its corporate strategy toward streamlining its business, protecting its balance sheet, slowing its pace of investment and maximising shareholder returns. Despite an impressive shareholder performance over recent years, BHP’s dividend yield has remained above market.
Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure (DBI)
Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure (ASX: DBI). DBI owns a fully contracted coal export terminal in central Qld. It has strong revenue and cost risk mitigants, CPI-linked base revenues boosted by incremental revenues from commissioned sustaining capex projects, very high EBITDA margins, and an investment grade credit profile. Investors comfortable with the coal-related exposure also benefit from the ESG discount imputed into the stock price.
Ventia Services Group (VNT)
Ventia Services Group (ASX: VNT) delivers essential services predominantly to government (c.75% of revenue), with an average contract tenure of c.5-7 years and direct inflation passthrough (95% of revenue) in most contracts. The industry grows at 6-7% pa, with VNT growing 7-10% through industry growth and contract expansion, whilst margins should remain stable. The stock continues to deliver a strong dividend yield, which we expect to continue growing at mid-single digits, whilst trading on an undemanding low double-digit PER.
Eagers Automotive (APE)
Eagers Automotive Limited (ASX: APE) is the leading automotive retail group in Australia and New Zealand, operating for over 100 years and representing a diverse portfolio of OEM (original equipment manufacturer) brands. While current industry dynamics in the auto sector (margin pressure; cost of living impacts) are expected to persist in the near-term, we view the scale operators (such as APE) as best placed to navigate this challenging dynamic. Longer-term, we are positive on APE’s various strategic initiatives and expect it can continue to scale; and sustain a structurally higher return on sales through the cycle.
GQG Partners (GQG)
GQG Partners (ASX: GQG) is global asset management boutique, managing ~US$150bn in funds across four primary equity strategies. We like GQG given its highly effective distribution, scalable strategies, and strong long-term investment performance. We view the earnings tailwind from strong funds under management growth (a combination of investment performance and net fund inflows) will continue and we think GQG will continue to re-rate along with this to a higher earnings multiple in time.
HomeCo Daily Needs REIT (HDN)
HomeCo Daily Needs REIT (ASX: HDN) has a +$4.5bn real estate portfolio focused on daily needs retail (Large Format Retail; Neighbourhood; and Health Services) across +50 properties with the top five tenants being Woolworths, Coles, JB Hi-Fi, Bunnings and Spotlight. Most of leases are fixed. The portfolio has resilient cashflows, with the majority of tenants being national. Sites are in strategic locations with strong population growth. HDN offers an attractive distribution yield, with a +$600m development pipeline providing further growth.
IPH Limited (IPH)
IPH Limited (ASX: IPH) is a prominent IP services group with market leading shares in Australia, Singapore and Canada. A defensive business, IPH has strong cash flow generation (with high conversion to EBITDA) and a long-track record of paying dividends to shareholders. We like IPH and consider the return to organic growth (albeit subdued) as a key near-term catalyst for the group. Longer-term, we expect IPH to continue to prosecute its consolidation and network expansion strategy offshore.
Suncorp (SUN)
Suncorp (ASX: SUN) is well positioned to benefit from continued strong price increases going through the home and motor insurance market in Australia, we expect these price increases to be supportive of SUN’s margins expanding further over the next couple of years. Additionally SUN’s recent divestment of its bank was done at an excellent price and will allow the company to focus completely on its strongest business, general insurance, where it is a market leader. Finally, post the bank sale, SUN now has >A$4bn of excess capital to return to shareholders, which will occur most likely via the way of a share consolidation and a small special dividend.
Super Retail Group (SUL)
Super Retail Group (ASX: SUL) is a large discretionary retailer comprising four well-known brands which span several categories, including: Supercheap Auto; rebel Sport; Boating, Camping and Fishing (BCF), and Macpac. We like SUL given its market leading scale (>740 stores), deep data capabilities, strong loyalty base and diversified portfolio of brands. SUL has a very strong net cash balance sheet, and we expect it is positioned for further capital management initiatives in the near-term (i.e. potential special dividends).
Woodside Energy (WDS)
Woodside Energy (ASX: WDS) is the largest ASX-listed oil and gas producer, and in the top 10 globally. While its share price has come under pressure, Woodside’s fundamentals have benefited from resilient oil/LNG prices, steady group production, progress on delivering its key growth projects, a robust level of profitability, and clear focus on its dividend profile. Woodside’s dividend payout ratio has averaged 80% of earnings for the last +5 years, which is impressive given the last 2 years have been a capex-heavy phase as its progressed construction of the Scarborough, Pluto Train 2, and Sangomar projects. With gearing remaining low and cash flow set to grow post the current investment phase, we see Woodside as likely to remain an attractive yield play.
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