Niche markets help protect these dividends

Article Excerpt

CAE INC. $23 (Toronto symbol CAE; Conservative Growth Payer Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares o/s: 268.2 million; Market cap: $6.2 billion; Divd. Yield: 1.6%; Dividend Sustainability Rating: Average; www.cae.com) is a leading maker of flight simulators for commercial and military aircraft. It also operates pilot-training schools in over 30 countries and makes mannequins and other medical-simulators for training health professionals. CAE raised its quarterly dividend by 12.5% with the September 2017 payment; investors now receive $0.09 a share instead of $0.08. The new annual rate of $0.36 yields 1.6%. In August, the company sold its 49% stake in a Chinese pilot-training joint venture. Its partner in the business, China Southern Airlines, paid $96 million U.S. for CAE’s interest. In November 2017, CAE completed its acquisition of AirAsia’s share of the Asian Aviation Centre of Excellence (AACE) for $100 million U.S. The deal gives CAE 100% ownership of the AACE’s three training centres and greater exposure to the Asia/Pacific flight training market. Meantime,…