Looking to earn a great dividend income in 2016? Research has shown that dividends – especially when reinvested – can be a substantial contributor to overall market returns, and that's a stat that investors can't afford to ignore.
However, finding a great dividend stock can be a challenge. With resources down in the doldrums and profits and dividends expected to fall, miners and oil stocks are out.
Instead, here are three reasonably priced ways to earn a reliable, 4.5%+ fully franked dividend in 2016 and beyond:
Retail Food Group Limited (ASX: RFG) – yields 5.2%, fully franked
Retail Food Group earns its keep as the master franchisor for many of Australia's most popular brands like Donut King, Gloria Jeans, Di Bella coffee, Brumby's, and more. In addition to franchise fees it also earns a cut of franchisee revenues, incentivising the company to grow sales organically as well as by acquisition.
Management expects to deliver double-digit earnings growth in 2016, although growth should continue for the foreseeable future as a result of the company's increasing scale and international expansion plans.
A long history of wealth creation for shareholders combined with sound financials and a positive outlook makes RFG a strong contender for your portfolio in 2016.
Collection House Limited (ASX: CLH) – yields 5.1%, fully franked
Shares in Collection House fell down recently when the company announced slowing growth in its earnings as a result of a more competitive collections market. Management elected to restrain its debt-buying initiatives and this will lead to single digit profit growth in the current financial year.
However, over the longer term, the outlook for the collections market in Australia is strong and a recently announced contract with the Australian Tax Office is a strong tick for the company's product offering. Earnings growth may be slower than RFG in the near future but today's 5.1% dividend appears sustainable and is likely to grow alongside profits over time.
Coca-Cola Amatil Ltd (ASX: CCL) – yields 4.6%, fully franked
Shares in Coca-Cola Amatil continue to see-saw up and down in the absence of further updates on the company's performance. However, management's strategy of targeting sustainable mid-single digit earnings growth is on track, and Amatil is developing opportunities in non-soft drink beverages that should serve the business well over the long term.
Internationally, markets such as Papua New Guinea and Indonesia also bring substantial opportunity for growth. Interestingly enough, growth in Indonesia (Amatil's largest target market) is predominantly in iced teas and nutrient waters, not soft drinks. If Amatil can capture enough of the market, this will significantly mitigate investor fears about populations transitioning away from soft drinks to healthier alternatives.
According to my conservative calculations, Coca-Cola Amatil shares also look moderately undervalued, while the nature of the company's business brings in reliable cash flows (and thus dividends). I believe its 4.6% dividend is sustainable for the long-term, while patient investors may also get the chance to buy shares under $9, increasing the relative payout yield.
