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Companies That Have Cut Dividends Because Of COVID-19

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Companies That Have Cut Dividends Because Of COVID-19

Companies like Ford and Macy’s had to temporarily suspend dividend payments due to the economic downturn caused by the outbreak.

In times of unprecedented crisis, such as the COVID-19 outbreak, companies need to make tough decisions to survive. When the first panic hit Wall Street, stock prices fell as investors struggled to protect themselves. Another unfortunate side effect is that many publicly traded companies should start new policies such as reducing capital spending, reducing operating costs and adjusting dividend payments.

All this is done to maximize cash flow, but reducing dividend payments can be particularly painful for investors. Some companies have reduced these, while others have suspended dividend payments for now.

Ford

On March 19, 2020, Ford announced that its 15 percent quarterly dividend (per share) was suspended. The day before, they had closed production at all North American plants. Ford also provided $ 30 billion in cash for operating costs, withdrawing more than $ 15 billion in two lines of credit. According to Morningstar analyst David Whiston, this basically puts Ford in lockout mode. ”

Airlines

Alaska Air Group has suspended its cash dividend from March 25, and also earned $ 400 million from a credit line. Additional steps were taken to protect the company, such as a second loan of $ 425 million, suspension of employee salary increases and salary cuts for senior executives. CEO Bradley Tilden received a 100% fee reduction.

Delta Air Lines said five days ago that the board voted to suspend dividend payments after the coronavirus crisis.

Marriott International

On March 18, Marriott International suspended 48 percent of dividend per share. As a key player in the travel industry, the company has been hit hard with low occupancy rates worldwide. Marriott also stops all share purchases, cuts investments and lowers payroll.

Boeing

Boeing had to suspend its dividends and extend its pause on share repurchases, as reported by CNBC on March 20. A Boeing representative said the company “uses all its resources to maintain operations”. The company also canceled the CEO fee and is looking for $ 60 billion in US government aid. Boeing faced a crisis after the 737 Max jetliner got involved in fatal accidents.

Department Stores

Macy was forced to cut his dividend because of the outbreak. Image credit: racked.comLarge stores like Macy’s were already struggling to profit from the exponential growth of e-commerce. As of February 1, the chain was more than $ 4 billion in total debt and decided to suspend Macy’s dividend until April 20 after the April 1 payment.

Neiman Marcus Group is also having a hard time. In 2013, it was purchased by the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board and the Ares Administration through a $ 6 billion leverage purchase. Neiman Marcus Group also operates the Last Call and Bergdorf Goodman stores; all of them were closed after the coronavirus outbreak. Neiman Marcus Group owes billions of dollars and may face bankruptcy.

Nordstrom also suspended quarterly dividend payments and will suspend share buyback as of the second quarter. Dividend payments were 37 cents per share per quarter.

As of April 15, Kohls did not reduce its dividend and was 14.8% from that date. The retailer has reduced capital spending and stopped the stock repurchase program.

Gannett

Media giant Gannett has more than 260 daily publications, including the US TODAY. The company suspended its dividend on April 1 and launched other cost-cutting measures. Gannett’s President and CEO, Michael Reed, said he expects Gannet to be significantly affected by the “COVID-19 outbreak”. The company has taken measures to strengthen its balance sheet and liquidity.

Looking Ahead

S&P 500 dividends may drop by 38% for the rest of the year. Photo: Rick Tap, UnsplashA letter from CNBC.com dated April 15 predicted that other companies would soon join the list of dividends or suspensions. Some of these are American and Southwest Airlines, Dick’s Sports Equipment, Whirlpool, Ethan Allen, Foot Locker, Host Hotels and energy companies Halliburton and Schlumberger.

Investopedia.com reported that Goldman Sachs estimates that S&P 500 dividends could fall by as much as 38% over the next nine months. Dividends can return as 2021 grow by 3% and 12% by 2022, as dividends earnings return to normal.

What should dividend investors do? According to Savita Subramanian, Bank of America’s President of the US Stock Quantitative Strategy, the remaining patient may be the right strategy. He suggested that S&P’s 2020 overall dividends would drop by 10% and the use of secure dividend screens.

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