3 impressive ASX dividend shares you've probably never heard of

I think investors can find some compelling ideas for income.

| More on:
A woman leans forward with her hand behind her ear, as if trying to hear information.

Image source: Getty Images

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

Key points

  • APA Group is an energy infrastructure business which is steadily growing its distribution for investors
  • Best and Less is a retailer that has a growing store network and a projected dividend yield of around 13%
  • VanEck Morningstar Australian Moat Income ETF owns a portfolio of quality, high-yielding ASX shares

The share market can be a great place to find ASX dividend shares for sources of income. However, most people might only look to some of the most followed names.

Lots of investors go for big ASX bank shares like Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) and Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC), miners such as BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) and Rio Tinto Limited (ASX: RIO), and others like Telstra Corporation Ltd (ASX: TLS), Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES) and Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS).

But, I think that there are plenty of other names that could deliver a pleasing amount of dividend income in the coming years, and hopefully deliver better total returns than some of the bigger names I've mentioned.

With that in mind, I'm going to outline three ideas that could be good sources of dividends.

APA Group (ASX: APA)

APA Group is an energy infrastructure business that delivers half of the nation's (natural) gas usage through 15,000km of pipelines that connect sources of supply and markets across mainland Australia. It also owns, or has interests in, gas storage, gas-fired power stations and renewable energy (wind and solar).

The last year has shown how important energy is. I believe the business has an attractive future for cash generation, particularly if it can start transporting some hydrogen in its pipelines.

The ASX dividend share has grown its distribution to investors every year for more than a decade and a half. I think it can keep growing as more pipelines and assets are added to the portfolio, such as the power cable called Basslink that connects Tasmania to the mainland.

Based on an estimated distribution of 55 cents per share in FY23 (growth of 3.8%), this translates into a forward distribution yield of 5%.

Best & Less Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: BST)

This is an ASX retail share that describes itself as a "leading value apparel specialty retailer with an omnichannel sales network comprising 244 physical stores and a fast-growing online platform".

It wants to be the "number one choice for mums and families" that buy baby and kids' value apparel in Australia and New Zealand through its brands Best & Less in Australia and Postie in New Zealand.

In FY22, the business had a dividend payout ratio of around 80%, meaning it still kept 20% of its profit to reinvest back into the business. It can use its profit to grow its store network. At the time of the FY22 result, it had agreements to open 11 new stores during the year, with three additional stores being relocated to larger sites.

The ASX dividend share is expecting the inflationary environment to accelerate the "migration to value", which it provides.

At the end of FY22, it had net cash of $36.7 million, meaning it has plenty of cash on hand to invest for growth (and to keep paying dividends).

In the first eight weeks of FY23, total sales were up 38%. Largely because stores were closed in the first few weeks of FY22. But, it's a boost for FY23 growth statistics nonetheless.

According to Macquarie, Best & Less could pay a grossed-up dividend yield of almost 13%.

VanEck Morningstar Australian Moat Income ETF (ASX: DVDY)

This is an exchange-traded fund (ETF) invested in high dividend yield, "quality" companies based on Morningstar's economic moat rating. These businesses are also screened on Morningstar's 'distance to default' measure.

If it's hard for an investor to pick one particular ASX dividend share, this ETF could be a way to get a diversified investment with 25 holdings.

As of 15 November 2022, these were some of the biggest holdings: AUB Group Ltd (ASX: AUB), Ansell Limited (ASX: ANN), IPH Ltd (ASX: IPH), Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES), Computershare Limited (ASX: CPU), Deterra Royalties Ltd (ASX: DRR), Jumbo Interactive Ltd (ASX: JIN), and Telstra Corporation Ltd (ASX: TLS).

Excluding franking credits, over the year to 30 September 2022, the VanEck Morningstar Australian Moat Income ETF paid an income return of around 5.4%. ETFs just pass through the dividend income that the underlying businesses pay.

Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Jumbo Interactive Limited. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended IPH Ltd. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended APA Group, Telstra Corporation Limited, and Wesfarmers Limited. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Ansell Ltd., Austbrokers Holdings Limited, IPH Ltd, Jumbo Interactive Limited, and Westpac Banking Corporation. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

More on Dividend Investing

Man holding Australian dollar notes, symbolising dividends.
Energy Shares

Dividend investors: Top ASX energy shares for November

These are the energy stocks I would buy for dividend income.

Read more »

Excited woman holding out $100 notes, symbolising dividends.
Dividend Investing

Buy these excellent ASX dividend stocks for 6% to 7% yields

Analysts at Bell Potter think these stocks could be buys for income investors.

Read more »

Hand holding Australian dollar (AUD) bills, symbolising ex dividend day. Passive income.
Dividend Investing

Analysts say these ASX dividend shares are buys this month

Here's what analysts are predicting for these income options.

Read more »

Dividend Investing

2 ASX 200 dividend stocks that could be strong buys

Bell Potter is saying good things about these buy-rated income stocks.

Read more »

a woman wearing fashionable clothes and jewellery checks her phone with a satisfied smile on her face in a luxurous home setting.
Dividend Investing

3 ASX dividend shares to buy instead of the big four banks

Analysts think these dividend shares could be top picks instead of the banks.

Read more »

A woman blows what looks like colourful dust at the camera, indicating a positive or magic situation.
Index investing

Does the Vanguard Australian Shares ETF (VAS) pay fully franked dividends?

This index fund can boost your returns with franking credits...

Read more »

A happy construction worker or miner holds a fistfull of Australian money, indicating a dividends windfall
Energy Shares

Is Woodside stock a buy for its 8% dividend yield?

Woodside's dividends look fat, but proceed with caution...

Read more »

Man holding out Australian dollar notes, symbolising dividends.
Dividend Investing

3 smart ASX dividend shares to buy with $500 now

Analysts think these stocks would be great options for income investors working on a budget.

Read more »