As displayed in Exhibit 2, the portfolio's 3.57 % average dividend yield was supported by a 9.5 % average free cash flow yield, compared with the benchmark's 1.99 % average dividend yield funded by 4.87 % average
free cash flow yield over the sampled history.
And here is the second try: Gross margins as a ratio of Assets over 13 %,
free cash flow yield over 5 %, Long - term debt as a ratio of free cash flow greater than five, less than 20 % above the 52 - week low.
Figure 2 compares First Solar and SunPower on the basis of
free cash flow yield over the past decade.
Not exact matches
Just like the other stocks on this list, American Express has generated
over $ 14.9 billion in
free cash flow over the past five years and currently earns a 6 %
free cash flow yield.
The consumer discretionary sector has changed its stripes
over the years and is now largely composed of mature companies with strong
free -
cash -
flow yield and higher margins.
Over the past decade, First Solar has earned a superior
free cash flow yield in every year but one.
Fortunately for investors, GM has generated a cumulative $ 16 billion in
free cash flow over the past four years, more than enough to cover its 4 % dividend
yield, as shown in Figure 4.
That may be true
over the long term, but valuations have reached a level (numerous 10 % +
free cash flow yields) where there could be some attractive investment opportunities.
Excluding net
cash (Amdocs has
over $ 9 a share in
cash), Amdocs trades at a roughly 10 % trailing
free cash flow yield and a little
over 10 times forward earnings estimates.
The stock also has an attractive dividend
yield of 3.6 %, a 10 % historical dividend growth rate, a reasonable earnings multiple (14x), and meaningful
free cash flow growth potential
over the next five years.
A couple of my favorite things to look for in determining quality is growth of book value
over time (this tells me the company might have some sort of competitive advantage) and
free cash flow yield (
free cash flow divided by price - I like stock with 10 % FCF
yield).
As a group, they
yield 3.25 % with relatively low payout ratios, healthy balance sheets, and a stable and growing earnings and
free cash flow base that should allow for steady dividend increases
over time.
The best we can do is something like GMO does, and go to each asset class and try to estimate the
free cash flow yield of each asset class
over the next full market cycle (5 - 10 years) given the current prices being paid.