Forget the State Pension or a Cash ISA! I’d live off BP and Royal Dutch Shell’s 7% yields

Harvey Jones says FTSE 100 (INDEXFTSE:UKX) dividend heroes BP plc (LSE: BP) and Shell plc (LSE: RDSB) can turbo-charge your retirement.

| 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.

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.

The State Pension isn’t enough to give you a comfortable retirement and saving money in a Cash ISA won’t help much, as most now pay less than 1% a year. FTSE 100 oil giants BP (LSE: BP) and Royal Dutch Shell (LSE: RDSB) look far more tempting as they both yield nearly 7% a year. Both are worth buying – just make sure you understand the risks as well as the rewards.

Crude facts

It already seems an age since the oil price surged in the wake of the drone attacks on Saudi Arabia Aramco facilities, which led to dire predictions of $300 oil. Crude has now fallen to a two-month low, with Brent comfortably below $60, as Saudi officials report that production has been restored to pre-attack levels. 

The BP share price is sliding as a result, and so is Shell. Soft global economic data isn’t helping, while US crude stockpiles have just registered a third straight weekly climb. 

With supply continuing to outweigh demand, BP is down almost 20% this year, while the Shell share price is off more than 15%. They have disappointed over five years as well, with BP up just 10% in that time, and Shell down 4%. The FTSE 100 rose around 15% over the same period.

Dividend income heroes

The good news is that both now offer healthy dividend streams, regardless of where their share prices go. BP currently yields 6.7%, with cover of 1.2, while Shell yields 6.6%, covered 1.5 times. These are comfortably above the FTSE 100 average yield of around 4.5%, although Shell has struggled to raise its dividend lately.

BP and Shell are also trading at a discount, 12.3% and 12.7% times earnings respectively, against the FTSE 100 average of 17.17 times. These look like bargain prices.

There are so many companies on the FTSE 100 in this position, which makes now a great time to pick up dividend stocks and hold them for the long term to give your retirement plans a real boost. Share price growth on top would be a bonus.

Climate challenge

After years of denial and delay, big oil now has to face up to the challenge of climate change, as solar and wind prices tumble, and motorists switch on to electric cars.

BP is steadily remodelling itself, exploring everything from car charging networks to solar plants to biofuels. Some of these could deliver lucrative new income streams, others could swallow huge sums of cash and sink. Relying purely on oil and gas is no longer an option, so the challenge has to be met. Otherwise the backlash could be brutal.

Shell plans to double the amount it spends on green energy to £3.2bn a year. There is a long road ahead, though.

Major investments

Shell remains the largest stock on the FTSE 100 with a market cap of £185bn; BP is in fourth place with £99bn. The world still runs on oil, even if we would rather it didn’t.

BP is mostly over the Deepwater disaster and its earnings are forecast to rise 10% this year and 15% next. Shell looks patchier, with a forecast 16% drop in earnings this year, followed by a 24% rise in 2020. I still think both still merit a place in a well-balanced portfolio, and should keep your retirement income flowing nicely.

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.

Harvey Jones 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.

More on Investing Articles

Investing Articles

Are these the best stocks to buy on the FTSE right now?

With the UK stock market on the way to hitting new highs, this Fool is considering which are the best…

Read more »

Petrochemical engineer working at night with digital tablet inside oil and gas refinery plant
Investing Articles

Can the Centrica dividend keep on growing?

Christopher Ruane considers some positive factors that might see continued growth in the Centrica dividend -- as well as some…

Read more »

Smiling family of four enjoying breakfast at sunrise while camping
Investing Articles

How I’d turn my £12,000 of savings into passive income of £1,275 a month

This Fool is considering a strategy that he believes can help him achieve a stable passive income stream with a…

Read more »

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

2 top FTSE 250 investment trusts trading at attractive discounts!

This pair of discounted FTSE 250 trusts appear to be on sale right now. Here's why I'd scoop up their…

Read more »

Smiling young man sitting in cafe and checking messages, with his laptop in front of him.
Investing Articles

3 things that could push the Lloyds share price to 60p and beyond

The Lloyds share price has broken through 50p. Next step 60p? And then what? Here are some thoughts on what…

Read more »

Young female business analyst looking at a graph chart while working from home
Investing Articles

£1,000 in Rolls-Royce shares a year ago would be worth this much now

Rolls-Royce shares have posted one of the best stock market gains of the past 12 months. But what might the…

Read more »

Investing Articles

Are HSBC shares a FTSE bargain? Here’s what the charts say!

There are plenty of dirt-cheap FTSE 100 banking stocks for investors to choose from today. Our writer Royston Wild believes…

Read more »

Three signposts pointing in different directions, with 'Buy' 'Sell' and 'Hold' on
Investing Articles

Just released: Share Advisor’s latest ‘Hold’ recommendation [PREMIUM PICKS]

In our Share Advisor newsletter service, we provide buy, sell, and hold guidance for our universe of recommendations.

Read more »