With many savings accounts offering base interest rates of just 0.05% at present, I think investors are better off looking to the share market for a source of income.
But which ASX dividend shares should you buy? Three top ASX dividend shares I would buy are listed below:
BWP Trust (ASX: BWP)
The first ASX dividend share to consider buying is BWP Trust. It is the largest owner of Bunnings Warehouse sites in Australia and has a total of 68 locations leased to the hardware giant. Given the quality of the Bunnings brand and its positive growth outlook, I believe it is a great tenant to have. Furthermore, I feel the risk of rental defaults or stores closures in the near term is very low. In light of this, I feel BWP is in a position to continue growing its income and distribution at a solid rate for the foreseeable future. Based on the latest BWP share price, I estimate that it offers investors a generous 4.7% FY 2021 distribution yield.
Rio Tinto Limited (ASX: RIO)
Another ASX dividend share to consider buying is this mining giant. I believe Rio Tinto is well-placed to deliver bumper free cash flows thanks to its strong iron ore production and the high prices the steel making ingredient is commanding. Positively, due to the strength of Rio Tinto's balance sheet, I expect almost all of its free cash flow will be returned to shareholders in the near term. In light of this and based on the current Rio Tinto share price, I estimate that it currently offer a forward fully franked dividend yield of at least 5%.
Rural Funds Group (ASX: RFF)
A final dividend share to buy is Rural Funds. It is a leading agriculture-focused property company with a collection of quality assets leased to some of the biggest names in the industry. Another attraction for me is its long term tenancies. These have been designed to allow the company to consistently increase its distribution at a solid rate each year over the long term. For example, in FY 2020 it plans to pay 10.85 cents per share and in FY 2021 it intends to pay shareholders 11.28 cents per share. Based on the current Rural Funds share price, the latter equates to a generous 5.5% yield.