2 FTSE dividend stocks I won’t touch with a bargepole in 2025

Two dividend stocks with two big dividend yields. But our writer thinks both FTSE companies could suffer in 2025 as UK economic confidence remains fragile.

| 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.

Asian man looking concerned while studying paperwork at his desk in an office

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.

Dividend stocks can be a smashing source of passive income. That is, so long as the cash actually hits my account. They can also feel a bit pointless if distributions are cancelled out by a nasty fall in a company’s share price.

With these caveats in mind, I’ve been looking for FTSE companies I think could be at risk of disappointing their investors in 2025 and which I’ll be steering clear of.

Shockingly poor form

One example is asset manager abrdn (LSE: ABDN). As I type, the £2.6bn-cap has an incredible forecast yield of 10.4% for FY25. By comparison, the FTSE 250 index as a whole yields ‘just’ 3.3%.

Should you invest £1,000 in Abrdn 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 Abrdn made the list?

See the 6 stocks

Dig a bit deeper however, and this isn’t a stock for faint-hearted Fools to consider. The shares have been on a shocking run, losing over half their value in the last five years as key customers have jumped ship. And with confidence in the UK economy fragile at best (and passive funds increasingly eating into active managers’ takings), I’m not sure we’ll see a turnaround in fortunes this year.

Created with Highcharts 11.4.3aberdeen group PriceZoom1M3M6MYTD1Y5Y10YALLwww.fool.co.uk

This could have consequences for that mighty dividend stream, especially as this year’s payout isn’t expected to be covered by profit. Even if it is paid, the total dividend has been stuck at 14.6p per share since 2020! That’s never a bullish sign.

A favourite with short sellers

If there’s one silver lining to this dark cloud, it’s that the stock trades at a below-average price-to-earnings (P/E) of 11. And if management is able to spring a pleasant surprise on the market when it reports full-year numbers in March, we could see more buying activity here.

Then again, I note that abrdn features quite high up the table of most-shorted stocks on the market. It’s not ideal when a significant minority of traders are betting that a share price has even further to fall.

Taking all this into account, there’s too much risk here for me to get involved.

Looking good

A second dividend stock I’m not meddling with is B&Q owner Kingfisher (LSE: KGF). This might seem like a strange decision. The dividend yield here stands at just over 5% for FY26 (beginning at the start of February). That’s far more than I’d get from a FTSE 100 tracker fund. What’s more, this looks set to be covered by profit. So it makes sense to think that investors will receive something this year.

Although I’m in danger of comparing apples with oranges, the valuation’s also similar to the aforementioned asset manager as well.

Created with Highcharts 11.4.3Kingfisher Plc PriceZoom1M3M6MYTD1Y5Y10YALLwww.fool.co.uk

So what’s not to like?

But with inflation creeping higher, I’m concerned that Kingfisher could be in for a tough 2025. It seems only reasonable to expect the business to suffer if the cost-of-living crisis rumbles on.

And even if the DIY giant manages to do well trading-wise (perhaps a brilliant spell of weather brings out the gardeners), it still needs to find £31m to cover the hike in employers’ National Insurance contributions (NICs) announced by chancellor Rachel Reeves last October.

As it happens, Kingfisher also features on the list of most popular stocks among short sellers. In fact, it’s even more ‘popular’ than abrdn!

Again, I don’t think the income’s worth chasing for the risk I’d be taking on.

Should you buy Abrdn now?

Don’t make any big decisions yet.

Because Mark Rogers — The Motley Fool UK’s Director of Investing — has revealed 5 Shares for the Future of Energy.

And he believes they could bring spectacular returns over the next decade.

Since the war in Ukraine, nations everywhere are scrambling for energy independence, he says. Meanwhile, they’re hellbent on achieving net zero emissions. No guarantees, but history shows...

When such enormous changes hit a big industry, informed investors can potentially get rich.

So, with his new report, Mark’s aiming to put more investors in this enviable position.

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.

Paul Summers 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.

Our best passive income stock ideas

Do you like the idea of dividend income?

The prospect of investing in a company just once, then sitting back and watching as it potentially pays a dividend out over and over?

If you’re excited by the thought of regular passive income payments, as well as the potential for significant growth on your initial investment…

Then we think you’ll want to see this report inside Motley Fool Share Advisor — ‘5 Essential Stocks For Passive Income Seekers’.

What’s more, today we’re giving away one of these stock picks, absolutely free!

Get your free passive income stock pick

More on Investing Articles

Investing Articles

2 cheap FTSE 100 and FTSE 250 shares to consider for an ISA before 5 April!

These FTSE 100 and FTSE 250 shares are on sale today! Here's why long-term Stocks and Shares ISA investors should…

Read more »

Investing Articles

How I’m building a new second income for 2035

Millions of us invest for a second income. Here are the steps Dr James Fox is taking in order to…

Read more »

Investing Articles

At a 52-week low but forecast to rise 73%! Is this growth share the FTSE’s top recovery play? 

This FTSE 100 growth share has taken an absolute beating over the past two years but Harvey Jones says the…

Read more »

Investing Articles

This FTSE 250 share offers a juicy 9.8% yield. Will it last?

This well-known FTSE 250 share has a percentage dividend yield approaching double digits. Should Christopher Ruane add the income share…

Read more »

Investing Articles

Is a £333,000 portfolio enough to retire and live off passive income?

A third of a million pounds can generate a serious amount of passive income, but relying on this sum alone…

Read more »

Concept of two young professional men looking at a screen in a technological data centre
Investing Articles

Here’s why Nvidia stock fell 13% in March

The Nvidia stock price rise was looking unstoppable. Should investors now be wondering if the same might be true of…

Read more »

The flag of the United States of America flying in front of the Capitol building
Investing For Beginners

Why FTSE 100 investors should pay attention to ‘Liberation Day’

Jon Smith explains why the upcoming tariff announcement from across the pond could have an impact on the FTSE 100,…

Read more »

US Stock

It’s ISA deadline week! Here’s my 3-step game plan

Jon Smith tries to calm the hype around the last minute ISA rush to buy stocks and explains why he's…

Read more »