Two small-caps with dependable income

Article Excerpt

Calian and Russel haven’t raised their dividends for several years. That’s mainly because they operate in cyclical businesses with unpredictable revenue streams. However, as leaders in their niche industries, those current payments still look secure for income investors. CALIAN GROUP LTD. $62 is a buy. The company (Toronto symbol CGY; High-Growth Dividend Payer Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding; 11.3 million; Market cap: $700.6 million; Dividend yield: 1.8%; Dividend Sustainability Rating: Above Average; www.calian.com) provides business services to the healthcare, defence, security, aerospace, engineering, agriculture, and technology industries. Calian pays a quarterly dividend of $0.28 a share; the annual rate of $1.12 yields 1.8%. That payment went up five times between 2010 and 2012. It has been held steady for investors since then. The company’s revenue has expanded through a combination of organic growth, new contract wins and acquisitions. For example, the French Ministry of Defence Land Forces recently selected Calian to develop an exercise script for training 60,000 troops. This is part of the French…