Forget CBA, these ASX dividend shares are better

Income investors might be better off avoiding the banking giant's shares.

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Key points

  • Amidst concerns about CBA's valuation, analysts recommend alternative ASX dividend shares that promise strong earnings and attractive yields in the coming years.
  • One opportunity in agribusiness boasts promising earnings growth and robust dividend yields driven by enhanced market conditions and potential accretive acquisitions.
  • Another pick in healthcare is poised for growth with solid dividends and strategic acquisitions, providing a compelling case for trading at a higher valuation.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) is undoubtedly a high-quality company and one that most investors would love to have in their portfolios.

But with almost all the major brokers tipping the banking giant's shares to come crashing down to Earth amid valuation concerns, they could be a ticking time bomb for investor returns.

In light of this, the ASX dividend shares in this article could be better picks for income investors. Here's what analysts have named as buys:

Elders Ltd (ASX: ELD)

The first ASX dividend share that could be a good alternative to CBA is agribusiness company Elders.

Bell Potter has a buy rating and $9.45 price target on its shares. It thinks the company's shares are being undervalued by the market, especially given its expectation for strong earnings growth through to 2027. It said:

We view the drawn-out Delta ACCC saga as masking the material improvement in the baseline drivers of the ELD business as we approach FY26e, those being: (1) a material acceleration in crop input and livestock pricing indicators; and (2) an improved 2H25-1H26 seasonal outlook. We forecast CAGR double digit EPS growth to FY27e on baseline drivers, with Delta having the scope to be ~10% accretive to FY26e EPS.

In respect to dividends, Bell Potter is forecasting fully franked dividends of 36 cents per share in FY 2025 and then 43 cents per share in FY 2026. Based on the current share price of $7.65, this would mean dividend yields of 4.7% and 5.6%, respectively.

Sonic Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SHL)

The team at Bell Potter also thinks that now could be the time to buy this healthcare company's shares.

The broker believes that the ASX dividend share deserves to trade on a higher valuation and has put a buy rating and $33.30 price target on it. It said:

One can expect SHL to generate solid mid-high single digit organic EPS growth with addon benefit of acquisitions to drive double-digit growth on a normal basis. SHL is a sold compound generator, which is why it holds appeal in our view.

SHL trading back at its long -term EV/EBITDA multiple mean of c.10x. Our implied multiple in our TP is c.11.8x, which we think is valid given the recent Carlisle Health radiology transaction that seems to have been conducted at c.10x for a 24-clinic business generating c.$20m in EBITDA. We consider the combined Pathology / Radiology business in SHL that has such scale and opportunity ahead of it, should command a reasonable premium.

As for income, the broker is forecasting partially franked dividends of 109 cents per share in FY 2026 and then 111 cents per share in FY 2027. Based on its current share price of $22.43, this equates to dividend yields of 4.85% and 4.95%, respectively.

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Elders and Sonic Healthcare. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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