With its 7% dividend, should I be watching the Aviva share price?

Dividend investors will struggle to find many companies with a yield above 7%, so should the Aviva share price be worth a closer look?

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For income-seeking investors, few things pique interest more than a big dividend yield. British insurance giant Aviva (LSE:AV.) certainly catches the eye with its trailing 7% dividend payout. But before rushing in, it’s crucial to analyse whether this high yield is built on solid foundations or could be a warning signal. Let’s take a closer look.

The dividend

Aviva’s current annualised dividend of £0.33 per share equates to an appealing 7.01% dividend yield at the current share price. This towers over the average yield of around 3%-4% for the wider FTSE 100 index.

However, while the yield appears mouthwatering on the surface, one risk factor is that Aviva’s dividend may not be well covered by the company’s cash flows and earnings. The payout ratio sits at an elevated 89%, suggesting a massive portion of profits are being distributed to shareholders.

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Typically, a payout ratio above 70%-80% could indicate a dividend that’s becoming unsustainable if business conditions deteriorate. This makes the dividend riskier compared to insurers with lower payout ratios and higher profit retention.

Promising signs

That said, there are some compelling reasons why income investors may want to keep an eye on the Aviva share price as a potential buying opportunity. Most notably, the stock appears significantly undervalued based on a discounted cash flow (DCF) calculation.

The firm is currently trading at a whopping 40% below the estimated fair value calculation. This disconnect means the market may be failing to properly appreciate the insurer’s future earnings power and cash flow generation capabilities following recent restructuring initiatives and cost cuts.

Additionally, Aviva became profitable again in 2023 after some challenging years. With forecast earnings growth of 9% annually, the company’s dividend affordability could improve markedly.

The share price has actually seen some fairly strong movement in the last year, up 18%, and easily outperforming the UK insurance sector, which declined by 10% over the same period.

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Risks

However, investors need to be aware that the insurance sector faces several headwinds that could derail the bullish investment case. The company operates in a very regulated industry where capital requirements, compliance costs, and litigation threats are always looming risks.

There are also concerns around elevated claims from climate change, natural disasters and the ongoing impact of higher inflation eating into profit margins. The UK’s economic outlook remains clouded by persistent cost-of-living pressures as well.

Solvency is another metric insurance investors closely monitor. But as of the latest report, Aviva held an estimated solvency ratio around 212%, providing a comfortable buffer over regulatory minimums although still lower than some peers.

Overall

All things considered, I feel the firm presents a strong-but-higher-risk opportunity for dividend investors willing to stomach some volatility. The 7% yield is certainly eye-catching, but it’s backed by a high payout ratio that makes the Aviva share price extremely vulnerable if earnings disappoint. I think it deserves a place on my watchlist, but I’ll not be investing for now.

Like buying £1 for 31p

This seems ridiculous, but we almost never see shares looking this cheap. Yet this Share Advisor pick has a price/book ratio of 0.31. In plain English, this means that investors effectively get in on a business that holds £1 of assets for every 31p they invest!

Of course, this is the stock market where money is always at risk — these valuations can change and there are no guarantees. But some risks are a LOT more interesting than others, and at The Motley Fool we believe this company is amongst them.

What’s more, it currently boasts a stellar dividend yield of around 10%, and right now it’s possible for investors to jump aboard at near-historic lows. Want to get the name for yourself?

See the full investment case

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.

Gordon Best 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.

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