08-22-2013, 03:17 PM
So the mighty MO should be declaring its next dividend tomorrow, and if history is any guide, it should include this year's dividend raise. Let's hear everyone's predictions!
They're at 44 cents a quarter now. In my mind, 47 is the very, very lowest end of the possible range, and 52 is about as high as I can imagine. Altria explicitly targets a payout ratio of 80%, but there are a few ways to spin that, given that future earnings are imprecise at best.
I'm going to guess they'll announce 48 cents per share tomorrow, based on my read of earnings. 48 cents would be a fine raise, though slightly conservative, and would keep the payout ratio near, but slightly under, 80 percent.
I could easily see 49 cents, and would be very happy with anything greater than that. But I'm going with 48 cents as my "official" guess.
What do others predict / guess?
Tom
They're at 44 cents a quarter now. In my mind, 47 is the very, very lowest end of the possible range, and 52 is about as high as I can imagine. Altria explicitly targets a payout ratio of 80%, but there are a few ways to spin that, given that future earnings are imprecise at best.
I'm going to guess they'll announce 48 cents per share tomorrow, based on my read of earnings. 48 cents would be a fine raise, though slightly conservative, and would keep the payout ratio near, but slightly under, 80 percent.
I could easily see 49 cents, and would be very happy with anything greater than that. But I'm going with 48 cents as my "official" guess.
What do others predict / guess?
Tom