Income continues to be the Holy Grail for many investors. Despite news today that inflation has fallen in-line with the Government's target of 2%, many assets are yielding even less.
Bank Rate remains stubbornly low at 0.5%, meaning even cautious investors are realising that for an inflation-beating income, cash just cannot meet their requirements - and nor can five year Gilts.
With this in mind, Morningstar.co.uk is launching a new weekly series where we will highlight a stock, fund or investment trust which pays an attractive-looking dividend. We will reveal the holding's star rating and Morningstar analyst rating; which determine whether it is fairly valued, how it has performed and whether it is likely to outperform its peers in the future.
First up, the highest paying stock in the FTSE 100, utility company SSE, which is yielding 6.26%, and rated four stars - indicating it is undervalued.
SSE (SSE)
SSE is one of the biggest players in the U.K. power markets, with a diversified presence across generation, transmission, and distribution. Renewable targets in Britain should provide opportunities for unregulated generation and regulated transmission investment, driving earnings growth.
But SSE expects margins to shrink at its U.K. generation business during the years ahead, and the supply business may not be able to make up for lost profits. Slow economic recovery and European unrest may continue to weigh on energy demand and company results.
SSE is also less sensitive to power prices than some of its European competitors, meaning less upside potential if power prices increase. However, management's commitment to paying a targeted dividend above inflation should appeal to income-oriented investors.