Everybody reading this wants a raise. I think that’s a pretty safe guess.
It’s tough to do such a thing in 2017. Even if you’re consistently an excellent employee, management can still stiff you on a much-deserved increase. As one former boss told me, “It’s nothing personal. I have a responsibility to the company to pay you as little as possible without making you miserable enough to leave.”
The good news is, it’s far easier to use your capital to get consistent raises. Canada has dozens of stocks that have a demonstrated record of consistently raising their dividends. All an investor has to do is buy a diverse portfolio filled with these stocks and their yearly income will go up. It really is that easy.
Some people don’t want to wait that long, however. The average dividend-growth stock yields 3% or 4%. Other stocks yield 7%, 8%, even as high as 10%. It takes a lot of dividend growth to match an 8% yield.
The only problem? High-yield stocks are risky. There’s a reason why many investors avoid them at all costs. All things being equal, a stock that pays 8% is at a higher risk of cutting its payout than one that pays 3%.
But not all high-yield stocks are created equal. There are many that have years’ worth of consistent dividends under their belts with decent payout ratios as well. Here are three that yield at least 8%.
Aimia
Aimia Inc. (TSX:AIM) is the parent company of Aeroplan, which is Canada’s largest customer-loyalty program. Consumers present their Aeroplan card at dozens of Canadian retailers to collect points. These points are then redeemed to buy all sorts of things, including flights on Air Canada airplanes. Aeroplan is Air Canada’s largest customer.
A few factors have forced Aimia shares down some 50% versus 2014 highs. Canadian-consumer spending is pretty anemic. Much of Aimia’s spending comes from Aeroplan-branded credit cards — a segment of the market that has attracted competition. Some investors also think there’s a danger of Aimia’s contract with Air Canada not being renewed. The deal runs out in 2020.
But there’s plenty of good news too. The company has one of the most attractive price-to-free cash flow ratios in the market today. Management has bought back more than 20 million shares since 2013. And it’s doubtful Air Canada wants back in the loyalty-business game. The contract should get renewed.
Aimia pays investors a $0.20 per share quarterly dividend, which is good enough for a 9.1% yield. It is well covered by cash flow.
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What is different now? With the stock price chopped by over three times, the dividend is now 30%. Incredible opportunity.