Share your opinion and earn yourself a free Motley Fool premium report!

We are looking for Fools to join a 75 minute online independent market research forum on 15th / 16th December.

To find out more and express your interest please click here

2 top dividend shares to consider for a long-term passive income

Annual dividends are tipped to take off at these FTSE 250 and Alternative Investment Market (AIM) shares, as Royston Wild explains.

| 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.

DIVIDEND YIELD text written on a notebook with chart

Image source: Getty Images

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.

Looking for top dividend shares to buy? Here are two offering excellent payout growth and large yields to consider.

In recovery

The housing sector’s steady recovery suggests that Springfield Properties (LSE:SPR) may be an attractive dividend share to think about. Helped by recent interest rate cuts and a mortgage market price war, buyer affordability is steadily improving and boosting demand for newbuild homes.

The pace of interest rates cuts remains uncertain. On the one hand, policymakers may feel compelled to cut interest rates to stimulate the weak UK economy. But their appetite to cut could be tempered by the problem of rising inflation.

Despite this uncertainty, Springfield Properties’ perky dividend forecasts merit serious attention in my book. Boosted by land sales in Central Scotland, revenues rose 5.3% in the 12 months to May, while pre-tax profits leapt 95.9%.

Critically for dividends, this recovery pulled the Scottish housebuilder’s net bank debt down to £20.9m at the end of the period from £39.9m a year earlier. So it doubled the full-year cash payout to 2p per share in financial 2025 from a year earlier.

City analysts are expecting further healthy dividend growth, to 2.3p per share this year and 4.5p in fiscal 2027. These figures yield 2.4% and 4.8%, respectively.

Bright forecasts

But how realistic are these forecasts? In my opinion, they’re pretty strong. Dividends for this year and next are covered between 2.1 times and 3.8 times by anticipated earnings. This leaves a wide margin of error in case the housing market recovery weakens.

Balance sheet repairs also put it in a stronger position to weather fresh market volatility, with a net bank debt to EBITDA ratio of just 0.8 as of May.

I’m confident Springfield’s in great shape to capitalise on rising housing demand as the local population grows. It is a leading UK housebuilder. And its new strategy of refocusing on the Highlands, Aberdeen, and Morayshire — where a renewable energy boom is driving jobs creation — could prove especially lucrative.

6% dividend yield

Tritax Big Box REIT (LSE:BBOX) is another dividend share that’s sensitive to interest rate movements. Not only this, but the prospect of a prolonged economic downturn could impact its property occupancy and rent collection.

Yet, City brokers aren’t expecting such risks to impact the real estate investment trust’s (REIT’s) strong recent record of dividend growth. Last year’s reward of 7.66p is tipped to rise to 8p in 2025. Another hike, to 8.4p in 2026, is also anticipated.

As a result, the dividend yield on Tritax shares is 5.7% and 6% for these years.

Please note that tax treatment depends on the individual circumstances of each client and may be subject to change in future. The content in this article is provided for information purposes only. It is not intended to be, neither does it constitute, any form of tax advice.

Shareholder payouts from REITs are sensitive to broader economic conditions. But these property stocks still provide better dividend visibility than most other UK shares, thanks to unique sector rules. At least 90% of rental profits each year need to be returned to investors in the form of dividends.

I’m confident Tritax’s earnings and dividends will steadily rise over the long term, driven by hot growth trends like the growth of e-commerce and booming data centre demand.

Royston Wild has no position in any of the shares mentioned. The Motley Fool UK has recommended Tritax Big Box REIT 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

Man putting his card into an ATM machine while his son sits in a stroller beside him.
Investing Articles

Was I wrong about Barclays shares, up 196%?

Our writer has watched Barclays shares nearly triple in five years, but stayed on the sidelines. Is he now ready…

Read more »

Wall Street sign in New York City
Investing Articles

Up 17% in 2025, can the S&P 500 power on into 2026?

Why has the S&P 500 done so well this year against a backdrop of multiple challenges? Our writer explains --…

Read more »

National Grid engineers at a substation
Investing Articles

National Grid shares are up 19% in 2025. Why?

National Grid shares have risen by almost a fifth this year. So much for it being a sleepy utility! Should…

Read more »

Road 2025 to 2032 new year direction concept
Investing Articles

Here are the potential dividend earnings from buying 1,000 Aviva shares for the next decade

Aviva has a juicy dividend -- but what might come next? Our writer digs into what the coming decade could…

Read more »

Person holding magnifying glass over important document, reading the small print
Investing Articles

Just released: our top 3 small-cap stocks to consider buying in December [PREMIUM PICKS]

Small-cap shares tend to be more volatile than larger companies, so we suggest investors should look to build up a…

Read more »

This way, That way, The other way - pointing in different directions
Investing Articles

Is the unloved Aston Martin share price about to do a Rolls-Royce?

The Aston Martin share price has inflicted a world of pain on Harvey Jones, but he isn't giving up hope…

Read more »

Surprised Black girl holding teddy bear toy on Christmas
Investing Articles

How much do you need in a Stocks and Shares ISA to raise 1.7 children?

After discovering the cost of raising a child, James Beard explains why he thinks a Stocks and Shares ISA is…

Read more »

smiling couple holding champagne glasses and looking at camera at home with christmas tree
Investing Articles

A Santa rally could take the FTSE 100 to 10,000 and beyond!

If the FTSE 100 enjoys yet another big Santa rally then the long-awaited and tantalisingly close 10,000 mark could be…

Read more »