Dividend beasts: Experts name 3 ASX dividend shares that could deliver 50% returns next year

Brokers think that these income stocks are undervalued.

| More on:
A woman sits at her computer with her chin resting on her hand as she contemplates her next potential investment.

Image source: Getty Images

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

Key points

  • Baby Bunting continues to see sales grow and it’s expected to see margins improve over the rest of FY23
  • Nine Entertainment is still seeing a good advertising market and expects to do better than the wider industry in FY23
  • PeopleIn expects to grow its underlying EBITDA to grow in FY23, while demonstrating resilience

A number of ASX dividend shares have seen their share prices hit by volatility in 2022. But, an exciting part of the declines we're seeing is that potential dividend yields are getting pushed higher for prospective investors.

Businesses that are both undervalued and could pay a good dividend may be able to give investors an attractive total return, with a mix of both income and capital growth.

Keep in mind that just because an expert thinks a share price will rise doesn't mean the market will push it higher over the next 12 months. But I think it's interesting to look at businesses that are seen as significantly cheaper than their fair value.

With that in mind, let's look at some of the dividend opportunities that brokers think are attractive.

Baby Bunting Group Ltd (ASX: BBN)

The Baby Bunting share price recently got walloped. It's down around 35% since 6 October 2022. While the baby product retailing business reported total sales growth of 12% to 7 October 2022, it said the first quarter gross profit margin was down 230 basis points year over year. At the same time, pro forma net profit after tax (NPAT) in the first quarter was down $3 million year over year.

After seeing the update, the brokers at Macquarie still rate the company as an outperform, with a price target of $4.95. That implies a possible rise of around 80% over the next year. It thinks the gross profit margin can somewhat recover during the year.

The ASX dividend share plans to open eight new stores in FY23, with six in Australia and the other two in New Zealand.

Macquarie puts the Baby Bunting share price valuation at 15 times FY23's estimated earnings with a projected grossed-up dividend yield of 6.1%.

Nine Entertainment Co Holdings Ltd (ASX: NEC)

Nine is the business behind a number of media names including the Nine free-to-air television network, digital streaming business Stan, and newspapers like the Australian Financial Review, The Age, and the Sydney Morning Herald.

Since the beginning of the year, the Nine share price has dropped around 33%. That's despite the business achieving a strong level of growth in FY22. The last financial year saw revenue growth of 15% to $2.69 billion and NPAT growth of 35% to $373.5 million.

The company also said the new financial year had "started on a positive note in terms of audiences" across all of its platforms. The advertising market, to August, had also "remained resilient", Nine said. It's also expecting its advertising revenue to grow more strongly than the markets where it operates in FY23.

The ASX dividend share is currently rated as a buy by the broker Credit Suisse, with a price target of $3.30. That implies a possible rise of more than 60%. The broker predicts the FY23 grossed-up dividend yield to be 10.1%.

PeopleIn Ltd (ASX: PPE)

The business provides staff, business services, and operational services, including workforce management, recruiting, onboarding, contracting, rostering, timesheet management, payroll, and workplace health and safety management.

The PeopleIn share price is another that has suffered heavily in 2022. It is down by 33% year to date.

Broker Morgans thinks that FY23 looks good for the company, rating it as add. It has a price target of $4.90, implying a possible rise of more than 60% over the next year. The potential grossed-up dividend yield for the 2023 financial year is 7.2%.

In FY22, the ASX dividend share generated $47.2 million of normalised earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA). In FY23, it guided that it could generate normalised EBITDA of between $62 million to $66 million. However, management said at the time this was "based on the continuation of current economic conditions".

However, management also said the core business is "resilient even in the event of economic uncertainty". It plans to focus on growing in sectors that are defensive and have long-term demand for talent.

Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Peoplein. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Baby Bunting and Peoplein. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

More on Broker Notes

Broker written in white with a man drawing a yellow underline.
Broker Notes

Brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy today

Here's why brokers are feeling bullish about these three shares this week.

Read more »

person holding hat
Broker Notes

3 ASX 200 large-cap shares just re-rated by analysts

We reveal the latest views on an ASX 200 large-cap miner, retailer, and consumer staples leader.

Read more »

A young man goes over his finances and investment portfolio at home.
Broker Notes

Down 80% in 2025: Is it time to buy this beaten down ASX stock?

Let's see what Bell Potter is saying about this stock after its heavy decline.

Read more »

A white and black robot in the form of a human being stands in front of a green graphic holding a laptop and discussing robotics and automation ASX shares
Broker Notes

NextDC shares jump 11% on major OpenAI deal

This data centre operator will be home to the AI giant in Australia.

Read more »

A large clear wine glass on the left of the image filled with fifty dollar notes on a timber table with a wine cellar or cabinet with bottles in the background.
Broker Notes

Macquarie names 3 top dividend-paying ASX 200 shares to buy today

Macquarie expects these three dividend paying ASX 200 shares to outperform in 2026. Let’s see why.

Read more »

Confident male executive dressed in a dark blue suit leans against a doorway with his arms crossed in the corporate office
Broker Notes

Broker reveals ratings on 4 ASX 200 sector leaders

Prefer ASX 200 large-cap stocks? Here are some new ratings and price targets for four sector leaders.

Read more »

A young boy points and smiles as he eats fried chicken.
Broker Notes

Why brokers are bullish on this rapidly-growing ASX 200 share

This business is delivering tasty earnings growth…

Read more »

Three excited business people cheer around a laptop in the office
Broker Notes

Bell Potter names the best ASX 200 shares to buy in December

Let's see what the broker is recommending to clients this month.

Read more »