L.K. Technology Holdings Limited's (HKG:558) dividend is being reduced by 33% to HK$0.03 per share on 9th of January, in comparison to last year's comparable payment of HK$0.045. The yield is still above the industry average at 3.3%.

View our latest analysis for L.K. Technology Holdings

L.K. Technology Holdings' Projected Earnings Seem Likely To Cover Future Distributions

While it is great to have a strong dividend yield, we should also consider whether the payment is sustainable. Based on the last payment, L.K. Technology Holdings was earning enough to cover the dividend, but free cash flows weren't positive. In general, we consider cash flow to be more important than earnings, so we would be cautious about relying on the sustainability of this dividend.

Over the next year, EPS is forecast to expand by 34.0%. If the dividend continues on this path, the payout ratio could be 22% by next year, which we think can be pretty sustainable going forward.

L.K. Technology Holdings' Dividend Has Lacked Consistency

Even in its relatively short history, the company has reduced the dividend at least once. If the company cuts once, it definitely isn't argument against the possibility of it cutting in the future. The dividend has gone from an annual total of HK$0.0327 in 2016 to the most recent total annual payment of HK$0.10. This works out to be a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 15% a year over that time. L.K. Technology Holdings has grown distributions at a rapid rate despite cutting the dividend at least once in the past. Companies that cut once often cut again, so we would be cautious about buying this stock solely for the dividend income.

The Dividend Looks Likely To Grow

Given that the dividend has been cut in the past, we need to check if earnings are growing and if that might lead to stronger dividends in the future. L.K. Technology Holdings has seen EPS rising for the last five years, at 32% per annum. A low payout ratio gives the company a lot of flexibility, and growing earnings also make it very easy for it to grow the dividend.

In Summary

Overall, the dividend looks like it may have been a bit high, which explains why it has now been cut. With cash flows lacking, it is difficult to see how the company can sustain a dividend payment. Overall, we don't think this company has the makings of a good income stock.

Investors generally tend to favour companies with a consistent, stable dividend policy as opposed to those operating an irregular one. Meanwhile, despite the importance of dividend payments, they are not the only factors our readers should know when assessing a company. Just as an example, we've come across 2 warning signs for L.K. Technology Holdings you should be aware of, and 1 of them can't be ignored. Is L.K. Technology Holdings not quite the opportunity you were looking for? Why not check out our selection of top dividend stocks.

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