2 high-paying dividend stocks on AIM: a risk or a reward?

AIM shares are notoriously risky. Are these dividend-payers worth considering?

| 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 AIM financial index is often described as the Wild West of the investing arena. With good reason too. Every year, shareholders can lose thousands of pounds on AIM and some of its constituents go bust. So are there any contenders worth investing in?

Two big dividend payers on AIM are Shoe Zone (LSE:SHOE) and Highland Gold Mining (LSE:HGM). Let’s take a closer look at their financial outlook. 

One step forward, two steps back

Shoe Zone appears on many British high streets. It’s a warehouse-style store filled with cheap and cheerful shoes for all the family.

The Shoe Zone share price is up 12% year-to-date. This could, in part, be thanks to the ‘Boris bounce’, which has boosted many high street retailers after the Conservative election win in December.

It employs over 4,000 people in over 500 stores throughout the UK and Ireland. Shoe Zone has a £90m market cap, and its price-to-earnings ratio (P/E) is 16, but its earnings per share have fallen to 11.4p from 19p in 2018.

In January it reported a rise in full-year revenue, but profits fell because of price hikes in British business rates.

Its dividend yield is an attractive 6% but I’m not convinced it’s worth the risk. Unfortunately, this is another British retailer at the mercy of high business rates and decreased footfall. 

Shining bright

With gold prices heading north, it may tempt you to invest in a gold mining company.

Highland Gold Mining is an AIM-listed stock with a £766m market cap. It offers a 5% dividend yield, while it’s P/E is 11 and earnings per share are 19p.

It’s worth noting that its dividend cover is less than 1, which is not ideal. This means the dividend could be at risk of a future cut.

Prior to December, Highland Gold was selling its gold to commercial banks. Now it’s become a producer on the MOEX Precious Metals Market in Moscow. It’s the first gold producer to do so and it means an additional income stream through this supplementary market.

Highland’s total gold production through the first nine months of 2019 increased by 7% compared to the same period in 2018.

The share price is up nearly 30% in the past year, but it’s a volatile stock to own. With gold prices as high as they are, I’d be concerned of a pull-back if the gold price goes into decline. I think this is too risky for me.

AIM: on target?

AIM shares are listed on the London Stock Exchange, just like the FTSE 350 companies. AIM shares are much riskier than FTSE shares because there is usually less liquidity in the market.  This means they can be difficult to sell quickly. 

Choosing AIM stocks with a dividend is a good strategy in theory, because the dividend yield brings additional returns to your investment, helping to offset any associated risk. As much as I love both gold and shoes, I think we can find safer share purchases, with attractive dividend yields, among the FTSE 350 stocks. 

I like that both these companies have been established for a while. However, they each have very low dividend cover and a volatile share price history. They’re not for me. 

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.

Kirsteen 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

Bus waiting in front of the London Stock Exchange on a sunny day.
Investing Articles

If interest rate cuts are coming, I think these UK growth stocks could soar!

Falling interest could be great news for UK growth stocks, especially those that have been under the cosh recently. Paul…

Read more »

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 »