Is Bank of Queensland stock a buy for its 9% dividend yield?

Can investors bank on good dividends from this financial institution?

| More on:
A mature aged man with grey hair and glasses holds a fan of Australian hundred dollar bills up against his mouth and looks skywards with his eyes as though he is thinking what he might do with the cash.

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

Bank of Queensland Ltd (ASX: BOQ) stock has taken a bit of a dive over the last six months, falling by more than 15%, as the chart below shows. Investors may like to know that the ASX bank share is predicted to pay a large dividend in the coming year.

Dividends shouldn't be seen as the sole source of returns, but they can form an important part of total shareholder returns, particularly for banks.

As one of the smaller challenger banks, BOQ usually trades on a lower price/earnings (P/E) ratio than its major peers, making its dividend yield look particularly appealing for yield hunters.

Let's take a look at how large the dividend payout could be for investors in FY26 and the outlook for better payments in future years.

Potential payout in FY26

Analyst projections are not guarantees of what dividends a business will pay, but I think the estimates are a useful guide of what the payout could be. Some companies decide on their payout size based on a particular dividend payout ratio.

The analysts from UBS think the bank could deliver a payout that equates to a dividend yield of 6.3%, or around 9%, including franking credits, in FY26. That'd be a very pleasing level of passive income from the bank.

The payout could be similar in FY27, with another grossed-up dividend yield of around 9%.

UBS forecasts that BOQ's grossed-up dividend yield could be around 10% in FY28 and 10.4% in FY29.

If those payouts do occur, then owners of BOQ shares could be in line for a lot of passive income in the next few years.

Is Bank of Queensland stock a buy?

The broker notes that management is focused on tilting the business towards commercial lending, with strong growth over the past 12 months, growing at 1.5x the speed of the overall loan system.

UBS said that BOQ's underlying cost growth is projected to be below inflation. On top of that, BOQ's franchise network conversion into a corporate-owned proprietary channel which aims to streamline distribution and drive new business through its own channels.

Currently, 60% of BOQ's business flow is through broker channels, predominantly from ME Bank.

However, deposit competition is increasing as system loan growth is stronger than expecting, which may be disadvantaging smaller banks.

Digital growth remains a priority for the bank, with 44% of retail customers now using the digital banking platform.

BOQ is proactively resizing its cost base and exiting loan costs, that are below the cost of equity which are on the balance sheet, to reset its economics.

The broker said that the ASX bank share re-entering the mortgage market in FY26 and FY27 will be a "litmus test, especially around growth and pricing in proprietary distribution."

UBS currently has a sell rating on Bank of Queensland stock, though the price target of $6.75 implies a slight rise during 2026, at the time of writing. The bank is trading at 11x FY26's estimated earnings.

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 no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

More on Bank Shares

Two people comparing and analysing material.
Bank Shares

3 reasons to buy CBA shares in 2026 and one reason not to

After a recent pullback, this blue-chip stock looks more interesting. Here are three reasons it could appeal and one reason…

Read more »

Man holding out $50 and $100 notes in his hands, symbolising ex dividend.
Bank Shares

Here's the dividend forecast out to 2028 for NAB shares

Can investors bank on good dividends from NAB?

Read more »

A group of five people dressed in black business suits scrabble in a flurry of banknotes that are whirling around them, some in the air, others on the ground as some of them bend to pick up the money.
Bank Shares

Is the NAB share price a buy today?

The bank has a number of goals that it’s working on.

Read more »

Business people discussing project on digital tablet.
Bank Shares

Could the Macquarie share price reach $250 this year?

Macquarie shares would need to rise 18% to hit $250. Here is what earnings forecasts and valuations suggest about whether…

Read more »

Bank building in a financial district.
Bank Shares

Is the ANZ share price a buy today?

How should investors expect the bank to perform in 2026?

Read more »

Half a man's face from the nose up peers over a table.
Bank Shares

Why is everyone talking about the Westpac share price this week?

All eyes are on the banking stock this week.

Read more »

Worried woman calculating domestic bills.
Bank Shares

CBA vs. Westpac: Which is the better ASX bank stock for 2026?

If I had to choose just one Australian bank to own in 2026, this is where I’d lean.

Read more »

A worried woman sits at her computer with her hands clutched at the bottom of her face.
Bank Shares

CBA shares could crash below $100 in 2026: Here's why

Here's why the banking giant's share could tumble this year.

Read more »