This ASX dividend share has a 6% yield, but I'm still not buying

Here's why I wouldn't touch this high-yield share with a 10-foot pole.

| More on:
Woman on her laptop thinking to herself.

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

When an ASX dividend share has a fully-franked 6% dividend yield on the table, it's normally enough for most income investors to take a second look.

At all, a 6% dividend yield, especially one with full franking credits, isn't too common a sight on the ASX. To illustrate, not one of the dividend-heavy big four banks currently offers a yield over 5.7% right now.

Yet that's what the listed investment company (LIC) WAM Global Ltd (ASX: WGB) currently has on the table.

WAM Global is a LIC that is run by Wilson Asset Management. It attempts to invest in a portfolio of globally sourced "compelling undervalued growth companies" on behalf of its shareholders.

This 6% dividend yield comes from the company's last two dividend payments. These were the October final dividend of 5.5 cents per share, and the May interim dividend, also worth 5.5 cents per share. That total of 11 cents per share in 2022 was an increase over the 10 cents per share investors enjoyed in 2021.

Yet I'm not buying this company. In fact, I'm not even tempted. Here's why.

Why I wouldn't buy WAM Global, even with a 6% dividend yield 

There are two main reasons. The first is performance. WAM Global first IPO-ed back in mid-2018, for a price of $2.20 per share. Today, almost five years later, the company's share price remains well below its IPO price, at $1.82 at market close on Friday. That's a capital loss of more than 16%:

Created with Highcharts 11.4.3Wam Global PriceZoom1M3M6MYTD1Y5Y10YALLwww.fool.com.au

According to Wilson Asset Management, the company's underlying portfolio has delivered an average of 4.9% per annum (as of 31 December 2022) since IPO. But that doesn't help the capital returns investors have actually enjoyed from their shares.

That figure also doesn't include WAM Global's fee, which is the second reason.

WAM Global charges an annual management fee of 1.25%, plus a performance fee. That's well on the higher end of what managed investments typically charge on the ASX.

By comparison, the Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS) index fund has a fee 12.5 times cheaper than WAM Global at 0.1% per annum. Yet it's vastly outperformed this LIC over its lifetime.

So I'll be saying no to WAM Global's 6% dividend yield. A big yield doesn't mean much when your capital base has been eaten away by lacklustre performance and fees.

Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen has positions in Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. 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 a calculator with Australian dollar notes, symbolising dividends.
Dividend Investing

A 5% yield? Here's the dividend forecast for an ASX 200 powerhouse

Are the generous dividends growing or getting smaller? Let's find out.

Read more »

A male investor sits at his desk looking at his laptop screen holding his hand to his chin pondering whether to buy Macquarie shares
Dividend Investing

This 10% ASX dividend stock is my top pick for immediate income

This business offers a lot of what income investors are looking for.

Read more »

A happy construction worker or miner holds a fistful of Australian dollar notes.
Dividend Investing

Buy Rio Tinto and these ASX dividend shares in May

Analysts expect good yields from these buy-rated shares.

Read more »

A male investor sits at his desk looking at his laptop screen holding his hand to his chin pondering whether to buy Macquarie shares
Dividend Investing

Top broker forecasts this quality ASX 200 dividend share could surge 45%!

A leading broker forecasts outsized gains ahead for this high-yielding ASX 200 dividend stock.

Read more »

A couple sitting in their living room and checking their finances.
Dividend Investing

Beat falling interest rates with these growing ASX dividend shares

Analysts think these shares could be top picks for income investors now interest rates are falling.

Read more »

Gold bars and Australian dollar notes.
Dividend Investing

How these soaring ASX 200 stocks are shaping up to be the dividend gems of 2026

With revenue surging, these ASX 200 stocks may be supersizing their dividends in 2026.

Read more »

Australian notes and coins symbolising dividends.
Industrials Shares

ASX 200 dividend stock reveals next quarterly passive income payout

The ASX 200 dividend stock announced its quarterly results and latest passive income payout.

Read more »

Animation of a man measuring a percentage sign, symbolising rising interest rates.
Dividend Investing

Forget term deposits and buy these ASX dividend stocks in May

Interest rates could be heading lower so consider these shares that analysts rate as buys instead.

Read more »