Dividend increase: Bank of Montreal

Article Excerpt

BANK OF MONTREAL $104 (Toronto symbol BMO; Income-Growth Dividend Payer Portfolio, Finance sector; Shares outstanding: 647.8 million; Market cap: $67.4 billion; Dividend yield: 3.6%; Dividend Sustainability Rating: Highest; www.bmo.com) is Canada’s fourth-largest bank, with assets of $709.6 billion as of October 31, 2017. Starting in February 2018, investors receive a quarterly dividend of $0.93 a share, up 3.3% from $0.90. The annual rate of $3.72 yields 3.6%. The bank aims to pay out between 40% and 50% of its earnings as dividends. In the fiscal year ended October 31, 2017, the payout ratio was 44.8%, so there’s room for more increases in 2018. In January of this year, the Bank of Canada raised its benchmark lending rate, to 1.25% from 1.00%. In response, Bank of Montreal has increased the interest rates it charges on mortgages and other loans. The higher interest income— combined with the ongoing plan to close physical branches and expand its online and mobile services—increases Bank of Montreal’s projected 2018 earnings…