Dividend safe despite headwinds

Article Excerpt

The possibility of a slowing Canadian economy and housing market, along with lower interest rates, would undoubtedly hurt earnings growth at Bank of Montreal. However, the bank’s expanding U.S. operations would help offset any slowdown. As well, its ongoing focus on efficiency continues to cut its costs. Those factors should let Bank of Montreal maintain its recent pattern of raising its dividend every six months. BANK OF MONTREAL $99 (Toronto symbol BMO; Income-Growth Dividend Payer Portfolio, Finance sector; Shares outstanding: 638.8 million; Market cap: $63.2 billion; Dividend yield: 4.2%; Dividend Sustainability Rating: Highest; www.bmo.com) is Canada’s fourth-largest bank, with assets of $830.5 billion. Starting with the August 2019 payment, Bank of Montreal will raise its quarterly dividend by 3.0%. Investors will then receive $1.03 a share, up from $1.00. The new annual rate of $4.12 yields a high 4.2%. The bank’s revenue rose 26.4%, from $18.2 billion in 2014 to $23.0 billion in 2018 (fiscal years end October 31). Overall earnings jumped 36.0%, from $4.4 billion to…