Fortunately, in this low interest rate environment, there are a good number of ASX shares paying investors handsome dividends.
Here are three ASX dividend shares that I think income investors should buy right now to beat low rates:
Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL)
The first ASX dividend share to consider buying is this supermarket operator. I think Coles is well-positioned to grow its dividend at a consistently solid rate over the next decade. This is because of its positive growth outlook thanks to food inflation, its refreshed strategy, defensive earnings, and expansion opportunities. Based on the current Coles share price, I estimate that it offers a fully franked ~3.5% FY 2021 dividend.
Rural Funds Group (ASX: RFF)
A second dividend share to buy today is Rural Funds. It is a leading agriculture-focused property company with a collection of quality assets throughout Australia. I'm a big fan of Rural Funds due to its long term tenancies which have been structured to allow the company to consistently increase its distribution at a solid rate each year. For example, the earnings visibility this provides means the company has already provided its distribution guidance for FY 2021. It plans to pay shareholders a 11.28 cents per share distribution. Based on the current Rural Funds share price, this equates to a 5.6% yield.
Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF (ASX: VHY)
A final option to consider is a dividend-focused exchange traded fund. As its name implies, the Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF has a focus on high yield dividend shares. It provides investors with exposure to 62 of the highest yielding shares on the ASX through just a single investment. This includes the likes of Coles, the big four banks, and high-yielding miners and telcos. At present I estimate that its units offer a FY 2021 dividend yield of at least 4.4%.
