Next plc Dividend Analysis

Yes, Next pays a regular dividend of about £6.28 per share per year (a yield of roughly 4.0%). That is a payout ratio of about 81.8% of earnings, so it is covered by free cash flow. A low headline yield is not the same as a weak dividend: what matters is how well earnings and cash flow cover the payout, not the percentage alone. The full payout history and per-share figures are on this dividends tab.

Next's dividend looks covered by free cash flow, with free cash flow covering the payout about 1.4 times over. Intrinsiqq scores its dividend safety at 30 out of 100, weighing the payout ratio, free-cash-flow coverage and balance-sheet strength. Safety matters more than yield: a payout you can rely on beats a high one you cannot.

Next has raised its dividend for about 3 years in a row. Over the past five years the dividend has grown at roughly 41.7% a year. Consistent growth is one of the strongest signals of a durable, shareholder-friendly business, so read the streak alongside coverage on this tab.

Next pays out about 81.8% of its earnings as dividends. A lower payout ratio leaves more room to keep raising the dividend and to absorb a bad year, while a very high ratio can signal a payout under pressure. On this measure the dividend is covered by free cash flow. See the dividend-safety breakdown for the free-cash-flow view, which is often more telling than earnings.