37% cut? Here are the SSE dividend forecasts for 2023 and 2024

The latest SSE dividend forecasts indicate that the electricity company is set to cut its payout significantly in the near future.

| More on:

The content of this article was relevant at the time of publishing. Circumstances change continuously and caution should therefore be exercised when relying upon any content contained within this article.

Middle-aged white man wearing glasses, staring into space over the top of his laptop in a coffee shop

Image source: Getty Images

When investing, your capital is at risk. The value of your investments can go down as well as up and you may get back less than you put in.

Read More

The content of this article is provided for information purposes only and is not intended to be, nor does it constitute, any form of personal advice. Investments in a currency other than sterling are exposed to currency exchange risk. Currency exchange rates are constantly changing, which may affect the value of the investment in sterling terms. You could lose money in sterling even if the stock price rises in the currency of origin. Stocks listed on overseas exchanges may be subject to additional dealing and exchange rate charges, and may have other tax implications, and may not provide the same, or any, regulatory protection as in the UK.

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.

Electricity company SSE (LSE: SSE) has rewarded shareholders with some healthy dividends in recent years. In FY2022 for example, the group paid out 85.7p per share which, at today’s share price, translates to a yield of nearly 5%. Is the group set to continue rewarding investors with sizeable cash payouts? Let’s take a look at the SSE dividend forecast for 2023 and 2024.

The latest dividend forecasts

Before I reveal those latest estimates, it’s worth pointing out that SSE’s financial year doesn’t end on 31 December. Instead, it ends on 31 March.

So the financial year just passed was FY2023. And the year ending 31 March 2024 is FY2024.

Should you invest £1,000 in Banco Santander right now?

When investing expert Mark Rogers has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the flagship Motley Fool Share Advisor newsletter he has run for nearly a decade has provided thousands of paying members with top stock recommendations from the UK and US markets. And right now, Mark thinks there are 6 standout stocks that investors should consider buying. Want to see if Banco Santander made the list?

See the 6 stocks

As for the forecasts, City analysts now expect SSE to pay out 95.4p per share for FY2023. At today’s share price, that equates to a yield of around 5.2%.

For FY2024 however, they currently expect a payout of 60p per share – nearly 40% lower. The yield at that level of payout is a less-exciting 3.3%.

These forecasts are in line with recent guidance from the electricity company. Back in January, SSE said it intended to recommend a full-year dividend of 85.7p per share plus RPI inflation for FY2023.

Yet for FY2024, it said it was planning to ‘rebase’ the dividend to 60p per share to support its investment and growth plans.

It’s worth noting here that the company said that it plans to increase the payout by “at least 5%” a year for FY2025 and FY2026.

Worth buying?

Are SSE shares worth today buying, given that the company looks set to reduce its dividend payout by a significant amount?

Potentially. They do look attractively valued today.

Last month, the company lifted its guidance for FY2023 adjusted earnings per share from 150p to “more than 160p” on the back of strong market conditions.

That puts the stock on a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of around 11, which is a relatively low valuation.

Meanwhile, they also have appeal from a defensive perspective. No matter what’s happening in the global economy, consumers are still going to need electricity.

Additionally, there appears to be reasonable growth prospects here. By 2030, the company is hoping to triple its renewable energy output from 2019 levels.

On the downside, SSE is planning to invest a lot of money in the years ahead as it boosts its exposure to renewables. For FY2023, its capital expenditure guidance was a huge £2.5bn. This spending may put pressure on earnings growth.

Debt is another issue to consider here. At 30 September, adjusted net debt stood at around £10bn. That’s quite high.

Weighing everything up, I can certainly see a case for investing in SSE shares today. However, they would not be the first shares I’d buy today. All things considered, I think there are better investment opportunities out there right now.

But this isn’t the only opportunity that’s caught my attention this week. Here are:

5 Shares for the Future of Energy

Investors who don’t own energy shares need to see this now.

Because Mark Rogers — The Motley Fool UK’s Director of Investing — sees 2 key reasons why energy is set to soar.

While sanctions slam Russian supplies, nations are also racing to achieve net zero emissions, he says. Mark believes 5 companies in particular are poised for spectacular profits.

Open this new report5 Shares for the Future of Energy — and discover:

  • Britain’s Energy Fort Knox, now controlling 30% of UK energy storage
  • How to potentially get paid by the weather
  • Electric Vehicles’ secret backdoor opportunity
  • One dead simple stock for the new nuclear boom

Click the button below to find out how you can get your hands on the full report now, and as a thank you for your interest, we’ll send you one of the five picks — absolutely free!

Grab your FREE Energy recommendation now

Should you invest, the value of your investment may rise or fall and your capital is at risk. Before investing, your individual circumstances should be assessed. Consider taking independent financial advice.

Edward Sheldon has no position in any of the shares mentioned. The Motley Fool UK has no position in any of the shares mentioned. Views expressed on the companies mentioned in this article are those of the writer and therefore may differ from the official recommendations we make in our subscription services such as Share Advisor, Hidden Winners and Pro. Here at The Motley Fool we believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.

More on Investing Articles

Smiling family of four enjoying breakfast at sunrise while camping
Investing Articles

Why contributing to a SIPP before 45 is a really smart idea

If someone starts contributing to a SIPP at 40, they can potentially build up a huge amount of savings for…

Read more »

Investing Articles

2 UK shares I’m buying in April

The FTSE 100 and the FTSE 250 have started the year brightly. But could the best opportunities right now still…

Read more »

Investing Articles

Down 72%! This FTSE 250 firm could now be a stock market takeover target

After losing almost three-quarters of its stock market value, this struggling fashion brand could be in the crosshairs of a…

Read more »

Person holding magnifying glass over important document, reading the small print
Investing Articles

Is it worth me buying more shares in this FTSE heavyweight after its big Capital Markets Day target updates?

This FTSE firm announced updates to its key strategic targets at its recent Capital Markets day, so is it worth…

Read more »

Investing Articles

I asked ChatGPT for the best FTSE 100 stock to buy in April. It picked a dividend gem!

OpenAI's chatbot reckons this FTSE 100 dividend share with a colossal 8.7% yield is the index's standout stock to consider…

Read more »

Young Black man sat in front of laptop while wearing headphones
Investing Articles

Down 33%! Is this S&P 500 growth stock worth considering?

Palantir shares have fallen by 33% since mid-February. Is this a chance to buy shares of the S&P 500 growth…

Read more »

Middle-aged white man wearing glasses, staring into space over the top of his laptop in a coffee shop
Investing Articles

The Diageo share price has fallen so far the stock now offers a 4% dividend yield

Over the last three years, the Diageo share price has fallen around 50%. This drop has pushed the yield up…

Read more »

Middle-aged white man wearing glasses, staring into space over the top of his laptop in a coffee shop
Investing Articles

GSK’s share price looks a steal to me anywhere below £43.29, and here’s why

GSK’s share price has fallen a long way from its one-year high, which has only increased the major undervaluation I'd…

Read more »