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The board of First Commonwealth Financial Corporation (NYSE:FCF) has announced that it will pay a dividend of $0.13 per share on the 22nd of November. Based on this payment, the dividend yield will be 3.2%, which is fairly typical for the industry.
See our latest analysis for First Commonwealth Financial
First Commonwealth Financial's Dividend Forecasted To Be Well Covered By Earnings
Solid dividend yields are great, but they only really help us if the payment is sustainable.
First Commonwealth Financial has a long history of paying out dividends, with its current track record at a minimum of 10 years. Taking data from its last earnings report, calculating for the company's payout ratio shows 35%, which means that First Commonwealth Financial would be able to pay its last dividend without pressure on the balance sheet.
Looking forward, EPS is forecast to rise by 7.8% over the next 3 years. The future payout ratio could be 37% over that time period, according to analyst estimates, which is a good look for the future of the dividend.
First Commonwealth Financial Has A Solid Track Record
The company has a sustained record of paying dividends with very little fluctuation. The annual payment during the last 10 years was $0.28 in 2014, and the most recent fiscal year payment was $0.52. This works out to be a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 6.4% a year over that time. Companies like this can be very valuable over the long term, if the decent rate of growth can be maintained.
First Commonwealth Financial Could Grow Its Dividend
Some investors will be chomping at the bit to buy some of the company's stock based on its dividend history. It's encouraging to see that First Commonwealth Financial has been growing its earnings per share at 6.8% a year over the past five years. Growth in EPS bodes well for the dividend, as does the low payout ratio that the company is currently reporting.
First Commonwealth Financial Looks Like A Great Dividend Stock
Overall, we like to see the dividend staying consistent, and we think First Commonwealth Financial might even raise payments in the future. The company is easily earning enough to cover its dividend payments and it is great to see that these earnings are being translated into cash flow. All in all, this checks a lot of the boxes we look for when choosing an income stock.
Companies possessing a stable dividend policy will likely enjoy greater investor interest than those suffering from a more inconsistent approach. Meanwhile, despite the importance of dividend payments, they are not the only factors our readers should know when assessing a company. Companies that are growing earnings tend to be the best dividend stocks over the long term. See what the 7 analysts we track are forecasting for First Commonwealth Financial for free with public analyst estimates for the company. Is First Commonwealth Financial not quite the opportunity you were looking for? Why not check out our selection of top dividend stocks.
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This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.