When it comes to buying shares for dividends, Telstra Corporation Ltd (ASX: TLS) shares are traditionally among the most popular options for investors.
But with the Telstra share price up a massive 25% in 2021 (even outperforming Afterpay Ltd (ASX: APT) shares), income investors may be wondering if it is still a good option.
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Should you buy Telstra shares in August for the dividend yield?
The good news is that despite Telstra's shares smashing the market this year, the forecast yield on offer is still very attractive. Particularly in comparison to the ultra low interest rates on offer with savings accounts and term deposits.
According to a note out of Goldman Sachs, its analysts believe Telstra is well-placed to continue paying a 16 cents per share fully franked dividend until FY 2023. Based on the current Telstra share price of $3.78, this will mean a yield of 4.2% for investors.
But it gets better. After years of dividend cuts, Goldman believes a long-awaited dividend increase is coming in FY 2024. Its analysts have pencilled in a fully franked 18 cents per share dividend that year.
Based on where its shares are trading today, this implies a 4.75% dividend yield for investors.
Are its shares good value?
In addition to offering investors a generous yield, Goldman Sachs sees value in Telstra shares at the current level.
Its analysts have a buy rating and $4.20 price target on them at present. This implies potential upside of 11% over the next 12 months. Combined with its dividends, this will mean a potential total return of greater than 15%.
And that's not including its plan to return upwards of $1.4 billion to shareholders following the sale of 49% of its Towers business for $2.8 billion.
All in all, even though the Telstra share price has been on fire since the start of the year, it doesn't appear to be too late to invest for dividends.
