As interest rates continue to ease and fixed return assets lose their sheen, high quality dividend paying stocks attract the attention of such investors. Invariably, low priced stocks that pay dividends become favourite at such times.
Air New Zealand Ltd (ASX: AIZ)
Air New Zealand Ltd (ASX: AIZ) provided its September update, indicating a 4.6% decline in Group capacity compared to the same month last year, primarily due to aircraft availability constraints. This capacity reduction was observed across segments, with long-haul ASKs down 6.6%, short-haul international ASKs down 0.8%, and domestic ASKs down 4.2% year-over-year. For the year to date, the Group's underlying revenue per available seat kilometer (RASK) declined by 1.6% compared to the prior year, largely driven by a 4.9% decrease in short-haul RASK, influenced by reduced domestic demand as last year's performance was buoyed by the FIFA Women’s World Cup. However, long-haul RASK saw a modest 0.5% increase, with Asian routes benefiting from better yields, though North American routes continued to face competitive pressures.
Financially, Air New Zealand, one of the good quality dividend stocks, recently reported earnings before tax of $222 million and a net profit after tax of $146 million, reflecting its resilience in a challenging market environment. Operational improvements were also evident, with on-time performance up by nearly 3 percentage points year-over-year, despite operating 17% more capacity. The reinstatement of ordinary dividends underscores the company's commitment to shareholder returns and financial stability.
Maintenance challenges for the A321neo and Dreamliner fleets have kept up to nine of its most efficient aircraft grounded, representing nearly $1 billion in idle assets. The company estimates earnings could have been $100 million higher if these aircraft had been fully operational, net of compensation.
In response to these challenges, Air New Zealand has implemented targeted cost-saving measures, including a 2% reduction in headcount and focused efforts on controllable expenses. The company continues to prioritize customer service and competitive fares, balanced with disciplined cost management.
Air New Zealand’s balance sheet remains robust, equipping the company to manage current pressures without sacrificing strategic priorities. Management remains committed to disciplined, customer-centric investments and enhancing shareholder value through sensible, targeted improvements across its service offerings and operational efficiencies.
Cromwell Property Group (ASX: CMW)
Cromwell Property Group (ASX: CMW) faced significant challenges in FY24, primarily due to higher interest rates and a tightening monetary policy by the Reserve Bank of Australia. These factors led to increased funding costs and asset devaluations within the commercial real estate sector. Despite these pressures, Cromwell made strategic progress by simplifying its structure and strengthening its balance sheet. A key milestone was the sale of its European platform, valued at €280 million ($457 million), which marks the final step in the company's non-core asset sale program. This program, which generated $1.6 billion in proceeds, was aimed at reducing debt and refocusing Cromwell's operations on more rewarding markets, particularly in Australia.
The company’s business transformation is now focused on Australian real estate, where Cromwell manages a portfolio valued at $2.2 billion in investments and $1.5 billion in funds management. After the sale of its European assets, Cromwell is concentrating its efforts on local growth opportunities, leveraging its strong track record in active asset management. The group plans to redeploy capital into core property sectors in Australia with the objective of improving leasing activities, upgrading assets, and ESG outcomes. With a significantly improved balance sheet and a lower gearing ratio, Cromwell is positioned for future growth in a capital-light, funds management model.
Financially, Cromwell reported a statutory loss of $531.6 million for FY24, primarily driven by asset devaluations and impairments. The group’s net tangible assets (NTA) were reduced to $0.61 per security, while operating profit fell by 13.8% due to lower EBIT and higher debt costs. However, the debt profile improved significantly at the group's level and, whereas net debt was expected to stand at around $1.07 billion at the end of June, by the time the European platform sale is completed, it should stand at only around $670 million. Despite these challenges, Cromwell remains among ASX best long term dividend stocks and continued to pay regular dividends throughout the year, demonstrating its commitment to delivering returns to shareholders. The quarterly dividend payments for FY24 ranged from 0.750 to 0.830 cents per security, with a new dividend of AUD 0.0075 per security announced for September 2024, payable in November 2024.
Source: Company’s Report
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