United Technologies Corporation (UTX) provides technology products and services to the building systems and aerospace industries worldwide. The company operates in six segments: Pratt & Whitney, Otis, Carrier, Sikorsky, UTC Fire & Security and Hamilton Sundstrand. United Technologies is a component of the Dow Jones Industrials and the dividend achievers indexes. United Technologies has paid uninterrupted dividends on its common stock since 1936 and increased payments to common shareholders every year for 17 years.
The company has managed to deliver an increase in EPS of 10.60% per year since 2001. Analysts expect United Technologies to earn $5.36 per share in 2011 and $6.08 per share in 2012. This would be a nice increase from the $4.74/share the company earned in 2010.
Over the past decade, the return on equity has consistently remained above 20%. Rather than focus on absolute values for this indicator, I generally want to see at least a stable return on equity over time.
The annual dividend payment has increased by 15.90% per year since 2001, which is higher than the growth in EPS.
A 16% growth in distributions translates into the dividend payment doubling every four and a half years. If we look at historical data, going as far back as 1977, we see that United Technologies has actually managed to double its dividend every eight and a half years on average.
Over the past decade the dividend payout ratio has steadily increased, as dividends increased at much higher rate than earnings. While this indicator is at 36%, there is still more room for high dividend growth. A lower payout is always a plus, since it leaves room for consistent dividend growth minimizing the impact of short-term fluctuations in earnings.
Currently United Technologies is trading at 18.40 times earnings, yields 2.30% and has a sustainable dividend payout. The stock is close to my entry criteria, and could be a buying opportunity on dips below $77.
Full Disclosure: Long UTX
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