Glatfelter Corporation's (NYSE:GLT) investors are due to receive a payment of US$0.14 per share on 1st of August. This means the annual payment is 6.8% of the current stock price, which is above the average for the industry.
While the dividend yield is important for income investors, it is also important to consider any large share price moves, as this will generally outweigh any gains from distributions. Glatfelter's stock price has reduced by 39% in the last 3 months, which is not ideal for investors and can explain a sharp increase in the dividend yield.
See our latest analysis for Glatfelter
Glatfelter Might Find It Hard To Continue The Dividend
While it is great to have a strong dividend yield, we should also consider whether the payment is sustainable. Despite not generating a profit, Glatfelter is still paying a dividend. The company is also yet to generate cash flow, so the dividend sustainability is definitely questionable.
Looking forward, earnings per share is forecast to rise by 83.3% over the next year. The company seems to be going down the right path, but it will take a little bit longer than a year to cross over into profitability. Unfortunately, for the dividend to continue at current levels the company definitely needs to get there sooner rather than later.
Glatfelter Has A Solid Track Record
The company has been paying a dividend for a long time, and it has been quite stable which gives us confidence in the future dividend potential. Since 2012, the first annual payment was US$0.36, compared to the most recent full-year payment of US$0.56. This works out to be a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 4.5% a year over that time. While the consistency in the dividend payments is impressive, we think the relatively slow rate of growth is less attractive.
Dividend Growth Potential Is Shaky
Some investors will be chomping at the bit to buy some of the company's stock based on its dividend history. However, things aren't all that rosy. Over the past five years, it looks as though Glatfelter's EPS has declined at around 18% a year. Dividend payments are likely to come under some pressure unless EPS can pull out of the nosedive it is in. Over the next year, however, earnings are actually predicted to rise, but we would still be cautious until a track record of earnings growth can be built.
The Dividend Could Prove To Be Unreliable
Overall, we don't think this company makes a great dividend stock, even though the dividend wasn't cut this year. Although they have been consistent in the past, we think the payments are a little high to be sustained. This company is not in the top tier of income providing stocks.