Health insurer Medibank Private Ltd (ASX: MPL) is an attractive prospect to many investors, who are familiar with its brand name and the fact that it is the largest health insurer in Australia.
However, the company's 4% fully franked distribution is only middle-of-the-road, as dividends go. Here are 3 companies with much bigger dividends that you could buy instead:
Telstra Corporation Ltd (ASX: TLS) – 7.5% fully franked
This telecom and mobile service provider is the biggest in Australia, although fears about its profitability have beaten up its shares – the Telstra share price hasn't been this low since 2012. The result is that shareholders are receiving a very attractive 7.5% dividend at today's lower prices. While there are many moving parts in Telstra, and the prospect of increasing competition from smaller telcos – even allowing for a possible dividend cut – the company will still pay market-leading dividends.
Platinum Asset Management Limited (ASX: PTM) – 6.3% fully franked
This fund manager has seen its share price beaten up over the past couple of years as funds have been withdrawn from its investment vehicles despite continued respectable performance. This has led to a lower share price and earnings, although management is confident that fund inflows will improve in the future as investors become aware of Platinum's performance.
Even factoring in a further possible dividend cut if fund outflows continue, Platinum's 6.3% dividend beats Medibank hands-down.
Suncorp Group Ltd (ASX: SUN) – 5.3% fully franked
This insurer/banker has a rock-solid balance sheet with $13 billion in assets – almost 75% of its $17.5 billion market capitalisation. Although Suncorp does have a banking business which is vulnerable to property downturn, this segment contributed approximately 1/3rd of segment earnings at the latest half-year. Suncorp's monstrous collection of assets (think bonds) paid $558 million in interest in the half, leaving the company an obvious beneficiary from possible higher interest rates. This company's 5.3% dividend comfortably beats Medibank's.
