ANZ (ASX: ANZ) is making the right decisions and giving more of everything back to shareholders — and there's still time to get on board.
Investors aren't going to find the same amount of growth in the big four as they will from smaller S&P/ASX 200 (ASX: XJO) (^AXJO) listed stocks but at the same time investors aren't as willing to devote so much of their hard-earned cash into smaller stocks. That brings us to ANZ.
Commonwealth Bank (ASX: CBA) is currently the largest Australian of the big four by market cap, followed by Westpac (ASX: WBC) and ANZ shortly after. However, as domestic revenues begin to dry up, investors are left wondering if the banks will continue to experience the same amount of growth as they have enjoyed in the past 10 years. It would be a fair assumption that banks won't have the same amount of growth in coming years since the mining industry is contracting, the Aussie dollar and interest rates are falling and the housing market sluggish.
This is where both foreign growth and acquisitions have come into play. Whilst the Commbank was busy acquiring BankWest and Westpac was developing St George, Bank of Melbourne and Bank SA, ANZ was building its overseas presence.
Since 2007, ANZ has been grooming overseas markets, particularly in Asia, to become real revenue earners for the banking heavyweight. Even though NAB (ASX: NAB) is smaller and has a presence in the UK, ANZ takes our top spot as the bank with the most earnings outside the Australia and New Zealand.
Foolish takeaway
With a 5.1% fully franked dividend and solid expansion plans, ANZ fits comfortably in investors' portfolios. Keep an eye on the next annual report in October because ANZ is likely to both increase dividends and turn its first profit from overseas businesses. Based on current prices, visionary management and a long term investing scope, it could be a healthy addition to your portfolio.
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Motley Fool contributor Owen Raszkiewicz owns shares in ANZ.
