A Tough Lesson: 3 Stocks That Prove Dividends Aren’t Always Safe

Investing for income can be great, but investors should keep in mind how fragile dividends can be. Even dividend growers like Suncor Energy Inc. (TSX:SU)(NYSE:SU) are vulnerable in extreme situations.

Man with no money. Businessman holding empty wallet

Image source: Getty Images

For most of my investing life, I have been focused on dividend-growth companies. These last few months have been humbling on that front. Several companies that I previously thought of as solid dividend-growth prospects are no longer in that category. It is for these reasons that I frequently state that there is no such thing as a completely safe dividend.

The pandemic health crisis proved the point that anything can happen when it comes to investing. Between the oil collapse and the viral outbreak, many stocks with previously secure yields have been hammered with laser precision. 

Restaurant stocks

In the past, I’ve made the argument that fast-food restaurants are some of the safest when it comes to recessionary risk. After all, people need to eat, right? Well, it turns out that a viral outbreak that keeps people from going out makes that argument a moot point. 

One of my previous payout-growing choices, A&W Income Fund, has suspended its payout for the time being. It turns out that when people can’t leave their houses, it becomes difficult to get the cash necessary to pay a distribution. The 5% yield or more is gone, leaving people with a much less valuable piece of dead money that pays next to nothing. 

Airline-related industries

I’ve always hated airline carriers as investments. I’ve followed the wisdom of Warren Buffett in avoiding these stocks as investments. I did, however, have a misplaced faith in CAE, an airline trainer company.

Looking back, it seems obvious to me that if airlines are hit, those who train the pilots will be impacted as well. Fewer pilots means less training, right? CAE’s Q3 2019 results looked amazing, with more than $275 million in free cash flow. The company also boasted a 13% increase in revenue that looked pretty enticing. Unfortunately, when airlines can’t afford to pay pilots, let alone train them, revenue for training services tends to go down the tube.

Energy stocks

Where do I start with this one? This sector has been a veritable graveyard of dividends and capital gains. The final nail in the coffin for me, after years of looking at these companies as undervalued entities, was when Suncor (TSX:SU)(NYSE:SU) cut its dividend for the first time in decades. I was always expecting the small companies to get rid of their payouts, but this was one that I thought might be able to hang in there.

After all, the company went through rough times in the recent past. Its dividend survived the oil collapse of 2015 and even continued to grow until this year. Suncor is a diversified player in the space, has a number of businesses, and operates in various regions. Nevertheless, its dividend was cut in half.

The bottom line

This is a lesson for all would-be income investors. Dividends are not invincible. There are always risks with buying stocks for yield. The current unusual situation should drive home the importance of owning a variety of businesses operating in different industries. You must have a strategy in place, so you can decide what to do when dividend stocks cut their payouts. Personally, I almost always sell stocks that cut their payouts. 

With investing, we make our choices to try to invest in companies that appear to have growth prospects, solid businesses, and dividend history that can last through difficult periods. Each of the investments above seemed to meet the criteria, and they all failed miserably as dividend investments. As value investments, they might still be worth holding, but they are no longer steady dividend payers.

This article represents the opinion of the writer, who may disagree with the “official” recommendation position of a Motley Fool premium service or advisor. We’re Motley! Questioning an investing thesis — even one of our own — helps us all think critically about investing and make decisions that help us become smarter, happier, and richer, so we sometimes publish articles that may not be in line with recommendations, rankings or other content.

Fool contributor Kris Knutson has no position in any of the stocks mentioned.

More on Dividend Stocks

Businessman holding tablet and showing a growing virtual hologram of statistics, graph and chart with arrow up on dark background. Stock market. Business growth, planning and strategy concept
Dividend Stocks

TFSA Magic: Earn Enormous Passive Income That the CRA Can’t Touch

If you're seeking out passive income, with zero taxes involved, then get on board with a TFSA and this portfolio…

Read more »

Man with no money. Businessman holding empty wallet
Dividend Stocks

2 Stocks Under $50 New Investors Can Confidently Buy

There are some great stocks under $50 that every investor needs to know about. Here’s a look at two great…

Read more »

think thought consider
Dividend Stocks

Down 10.88%: Is ATD Stock a Good Buy After Earnings?

Alimentation Couche-Tard (TSX:ATD) stock might not be the easy buy-case it once was. Here’s a look at what happened.

Read more »

money cash dividends
Dividend Stocks

TFSA Dividend Stocks: Earn $1,200/Year Tax-Free

Canadian stocks like Fortis are a must-have in your portfolio to earn tax-free yields for decades.

Read more »

sale discount best price
Dividend Stocks

1 Dividend Stock Down 11 Percent to Buy Right Now

Do you want a great dividend stock down 11% that can provide years of growth potential? Here's one heavily discounted…

Read more »

Growth from coins
Dividend Stocks

1 Grade A Dividend Stock Down 11% to Buy and Hold Forever 

If you're looking for the right dividend stock at the right price, you're going to want to consider this insurance…

Read more »

Target. Stand out from the crowd
Dividend Stocks

2 Dividend Stocks to Double Up on Right Now

Are you looking for dividend stocks to buy right now? Here are two top picks!

Read more »

edit Taxes CRA
Dividend Stocks

Tax Time: How to Keep More of Your Money

Nearly everyone hates paying taxes, although Canadians can lessen the financial pain with the right tax strategies.

Read more »