There are a lot of ASX dividend stocks to choose from on the local share market.
But which ones could be in the buy zone right now?
Let's take a look at two that brokers are tipping as buys. Here's what they are saying about them:
NIB Holdings Limited (ASX: NHF)
The first ASX dividend stock could be a buy according to brokers is NIB Holdings.
It is a leading provider of health and medical insurance to over 1.6 million Australian and New Zealand residents. It also provides health insurance to around 200,000 international students and workers in Australia.
The team at Goldman Sachs is positive on the company. This is due in part to its defensive earnings and the announcement of sizeable premium increases. Commenting on the latter, the broker said:
The Australian Department of Health and Aged Care released the PHI approved rate increases applicable from Apr-25. The approved rate increase for MPL (Neutral) was 3.99% (v GSF of 3.5%) and NHF (Buy) at 5.79% (v GSF of 5%) – both stronger than we were expecting. NHF was the highest out of the majors with BUPA getting 5.1% and HCF 4.95%.
We remind that the NSW bed rate impact is worth about ~0.4% to MPL's margin or $29m and ~0.8% to NHF's margin or $20m. Overall, we think these approved rate increases will be viewed favourably (particularly in an election year) and should support margins.
In respect to income, Goldman believes that NIB will pay fully franked dividends of 27 cents per share in FY 2025 and 29 cents per share in FY 2026. Based on its current share price of $6.35, this equates to dividend yields of 4.3% and 4.6%, respectively, for income investors.
Goldman currently has a buy rating and $7.00 price target on its shares.
Perpetual Ltd (ASX: PPT)
Another ASX dividend stock that is being tipped as a buy by brokers is diversified financial services company Perpetual.
Bell Potter is feeling positive about the company even with its demerger plans looking doubtful. It said:
With the demerger of the CT + WM businesses in doubt, the short-term investment thesis aligns with the priorities identified by the new CEO to improve the performance and valuation of the asset management business. In the medium to longer term, there should be upside from growth through the global distribution and range of capabilities.
In the meantime, Bell Potter is forecasting partially franked dividends per share of $1.28 in FY 2025 and then $1.56 in FY 2026. Based on its current share price of $23.33, this equates to dividend yields of 5.5% and 6.7%, respectively.
Bell Potter has a buy rating and $25.40 price target on its shares.
