GE Hikes Payout; Digital Transformation to Benefit Income Investors
Image source: GE website Income investors cheered as Best Ideas and Dividend Growth Newsletter portfolios holding General Electric (GE) raised its quarterly per share dividend $0.01, or 4%, to $0.24 per share December 9. The move is consistent with its multi-year capital allocation strategy to have a dividend payout ratio of 45%-50% and then grow the payout in line with earnings once the targeted dividend payout ratio is hit. The increase, however, reflects a payout ratio above the upper bound of management’s target ratio based on consensus estimates for 2017. We like what the payout growth signals for income-minded investors, and management looks to be set in continuing its shareholder-friendly ways beyond its planned return of $30 billion in cash … Read more