2 dividend growth stocks analysts think are strong buys right now

Growth stocks that also distribute cash offer investors the best of both worlds. Stephen Wright looks at two that have Strong Buy ratings from analysts.

| 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.

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.

Finger clicking a button marked 'Buy' on a keyboard

Image source: Getty Images

Growth stocks can be great investments for generating wealth. But the best businesses can increase their revenues and profits while also distributing cash to shareholders as dividends. 

There are a couple of companies I think are especially interesting from this perspective. And analysts seem to agree at the moment. 

Games Workshop

Shares in Games Workshop (LSE:GAW) are up 35% over the last 12 months. Nonetheless, the three analysts covering the stock still seem to think investors should consider buying it. 

The stock looks expensive at a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of around 29. But the company’s low capital requirements allow it to distribute almost all of its income to shareholders as dividends.

As a result, Games Workshop shares currently come with a dividend yield of almost 3%. That’s close to the FTSE 100 average from what I think is an extremely high-quality business.

Over the last decade, the company’s grown its revenues at an average of almost 16% a year. And the most impressive thing is it’s done this while reinvesting almost none of the cash it’s generated.

Games Workshop Total Revenues 2015-24


Created at TradingView

The biggest risk with Games Workshop is demand. While its Warhammer products are extremely popular, they’re also non-essential and therefore at risk during downturns in consumer spending. 

Investors should therefore be prepared for ups and downs. But I think the firm’s strong intellectual property and impressive cash generation make this a good stock to consider buying.

James Halstead

James Halstead (LSE:JHD) manufactures vinyl flooring for commercial venues. And despite the share price being down almost 9% over the last year, it still attracts a Strong Buy analyst rating.

Revenues fell almost 10% during 2024. The company put this down to weaker demand due to an economic downturn in the UK and Europe – two of its largest markets.

That’s an ongoing risk with the business. But there’s also a lot to like about it and I think investors should see the decline in the share price as an opportunity to consider buying the stock.

Like Games Workshop, James Halstead distributes the vast majority of its net income to shareholders. And it has increased its dividend each year for almost half a century.

James Halstead Dividends 2015-24


Created at TradingView

Right now, the dividend yield’s 4.72%. And that compares favourably with the return on offer from a 10-year government bond, which is currently 4.6% a year.

This means that, even before thinking about future growth, investors have a good chance of doing better with the stock over the next decade than with a bond. And that’s why I think it’s one to consider buying.

Quality shares

Games Workshop and James Halstead both come with Strong Buy recommendations from analysts. While these are likely driven by short-term considerations, I think long-term investors should take a look.

Both businesses have the ability to keep growing while returning cash to shareholders. That’s something I think marks them out as quality companies that are worth considering.

Stephen Wright has positions in Games Workshop Group Plc. The Motley Fool UK has recommended Games Workshop Group Plc. 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

White female supervisor working at an oil rig
Investing For Beginners

Are investors taking a massive gamble with the Shell share price?

Jon Smith mulls the current state of play in the oil market and explains why he thinks further gains for…

Read more »

Young brown woman delighted with what she sees on her screen
Investing Articles

Stock market correction 2026: a rare chance to scoop up cheap UK shares?

The UK stock market's officially in a correction after a sharp drop in UK share prices, but our writer sees…

Read more »

Investing Articles

How much do you need in an ISA to aim for a £750 monthly second income?

Harvey Jones crunches the numbers to show how investors could aim for a high-and-rising second income from dividend-paying FTSE 100…

Read more »

Investing Articles

£20,000 invested in a Stocks and Shares ISA over the last year is now worth…

With tax season coming to an end, investors will soon have a fresh £20k allowance for their Stocks and Shares…

Read more »

British flag, Big Ben, Houses of Parliament and British flag composition
Investing Articles

Back above 10,000! Is the FTSE 100 index on track again?

The FTSE 100 index has been yo-yoing up and down with the latest news headlines around the oil crisis. Where…

Read more »

Finger clicking a button marked 'Buy' on a keyboard
Investing Articles

Stock market correction: Is there still time to buy UK shares cheap?

Long-term investors can do well to stay calm through stock market corrections, and even crashes, and pick up shares when…

Read more »

Warm summer evening outside waterfront pubs and restaurants at the popular seaside resort town of Weymouth, Dorset.
Investing Articles

2 FTSE 100 blue-chips to consider for a new £20k Stocks and Shares ISA

Ben McPoland highlights a pair of high-quality FTSE 100 stocks that have strong momentum on their side yet are trading…

Read more »

Young Caucasian woman with pink her studying from her laptop screen
Investing Articles

Are depressed Lloyds shares just too tempting to miss now?

Lloyds shares are coming under renewed pressure as conflict in the Middle East threatens the fragile global economic recovery.

Read more »