Is T a good dividend producing stock?
7/24/2025 01:18pm
**AT&T (T) is not a good dividend producing stock due to its high dividend payout ratio, negative dividend growth rate, and lack of dividend sustainability**, Here's why:
1. **High Dividend Payout Ratio**: AT&T's dividend payout ratio is **-62.23%**, which is negative and suggests that the company is not generating enough free cash flow to cover its dividend payments. A high payout ratio can indicate that a company is retaining a large portion of its earnings, which may impact its ability to sustain and grow its dividend payments over time.
2. **Negative Dividend Growth Rate**: AT&T has a dividend growth duration of **0 years**, and the dividend yield yoy growth rate is **-62.23%**, which is a significant decline from its previous growth rate. This indicates that the company's dividend payments may be at risk of declining in the near future.
3. **Lack of Dividend Sustainability**: The company's dividend yield is **3.99%**, which is relatively low compared to some other companies. Additionally, the dividend sustainability of AT&T is underscored by its payout ratio being below the 70% threshold often cited as a risk threshold for utilities, but the negative growth rate and lack of recent dividend increase signals a challenging position.
4. **Market Concerns**: The market appears to be implying considerable doubt about the sustainability of AT&T's dividend. Cutting the dividend could be a catalyst for stock outperformance.
5. **Financial Health**: Despite these concerns, AT&T has a strong underlying business and is investing in areas like 5G and fiber networks, which could support future growth and dividend sustainability.
In conclusion, while AT&T has a strong underlying business and is investing in areas that could support future growth and dividend sustainability, its high dividend payout ratio, negative dividend growth rate, and lack of dividend sustainability make it a risky investment for income-focused investors. The company's dividend may be at risk of declining in the near future, and investors should exercise caution when considering AT&T as a dividend-producing stock.