Investing In Security Services Dividend Stocks
A few weeks ago I wrote an article titled, “Open Fire On These Dividend Stocks,” and discussed the notion of investing in dividend paying companies in the firearms and ammo sector. Expanding on this concept of personal safety and security I want to highlight several other dividend paying companies that are involved in providing security services for commercial and residential customers as well as armored transportation services. While there are many companies that provide these security services, the vast majority of them are private. With that being said, let’s highlight some potential public dividend paying candidates that might find a home in your dividend portfolio.
First up is one of the largest names in the security business, Tyco International Ltd. (TYC). TYC is a name many people are already familiar with as many homes and businesses rely upon their security services. Besides its vast offering of security services, TYC also offers fire detection, fire suppression, video surveillance systems and various smoke, heat and chemical detectors. TYC currently offers a relatively low 1.70% yield with a moderately low payout ratio of 36.4% on an EPS of 2.21. While a current low yielding stock, TYC does have an impressive ten year annualized dividend growth rate of 19.81%. Don’t buy this stock for the current yield rather hold on to it for great dividend growth. On the valuation side of things TYC has a current PE of 19.76 which is slightly higher than the market as a whole but doesn’t appear to be too overvalued.
Next is another company that doesn’t need much of an introduction as their signs are in front of many homes and businesses, The ADT Corporation (ADT). While providing much of the same security services as TYC, ADT also offers personal emergency response services and can contact medical personnel for health related emergencies. Currently yielding a decent 2.17% with a moderate payout ratio of 40.6% on an EPS of 1.65, ADT does not have a long dividend history. It is on the path of being able to continue to raise its dividend going forward though. From a PE perspective ADT is slightly more expensive than the market and its peers at 22.27. Forward PE looks a lot more attractive at 17.20.
This next stock is definitely not a household name, though some its products are surely found in many homes and businesses, and happened to find its way into my portfolio via a spin off from Ingersoll-Rand Plc (IR). I’m talking about Allegion plc Ordinary Shares (ALLE). You might be familiar with some of ALLE’s noteworthy brands such as Schlage, Steelcraft and for those of you who lock up a bicycle, Kryptonite. ALLE is in the business of access control and produces and distributes various mechanical and electronic locks, video surveillance and vehicle recognition products as well as other security services. While a newly traded stock, as a result of a recent spin off from IR, ALLE has a very, very long history spanning over a century in the access control sector. Currently yielding a tiny 0.61% with an equally tiny payout ratio of just 13.2% based on an EPS of 1.65, this stock has plenty of room to raise its dividend going forward. With a current PE of 31.88 it seems that share price has run of ahead of earnings as ALLE is definitely considered overvalued at current prices relative to the market and its peers. Forward PE looks a lot more attractive at only 17.90. You might want to wait before pulling the trigger in this one.
Another dividend paying stock in the security services sector is ABM Industries Incorporated (ABM). ABM is diverse in its corporate offerings as it provides security services comprising staffing of security officers, mobile patrol services as well as access control devices and security consulting services. In addition, ABM also provides many business supportive services such as carpet cleaning, dusting, polishing and HVAC maintenance and repair services. This company is probably the most diverse in its offerings. ABM currently yields a respectable 2.27% with a payout ratio of 38.3% based on an EPS of 1.26. ABM has one of the longest histories of dividend growth among stocks in this sector going back 46 years. It’s ten year annualized dividend growth rate is at a decent 4.76%. Nothing stellar but definitely a nice long term growth rate for those looking for a growing dividend. On the valuation side of things ABM has a current PE of 21.62 and a forward PE of 12.1. Clearly, current prices may be a tad high relative to earnings which might give you reason to wait before purchasing this stock.
Finally, in our overview of security service businesses is armored transportation company The Brink’s Company (BCO). A company that was founded in 1838 and is synonymous with their famous armored vehicles you see in cities all over the world, BCO also offers cash management services, including money processing, safes and safe control devices, cash processing, check imaging services, counterfeit detection and electronic reporting. By that description you’d think I was describing a bank. BCO currently yields a small 1.90% yield with an equally small payout ratio of 33.3% based on an EPS of -0.28. Forward PE for BCO looks more attractive at 11.90 which puts it well below peers and the S&P.
Clearly there are some interesting picks, from a dividend perspective, in the security services sector. Have you ever thought about investing in this space and are any of these names on your watch list or in your portfolio? Please let me know below.
Disclosure: Long IR, ALLE
Oh, interesting theme for some investing ideas. I do own ADT.
Henry @ Living At Home recently posted…Recent Buy – Quality Systems (QSII)
Hi LAH,
I thought this would be an interesting sector to take a look at from a dividend perspective as it includes several names that are not typically found in dividend growth portfolios. Of course, you happen to own ADT which definitely makes your portfolio unique among the dividend bloggers. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
Interesting set of companies, DivHut. I am familiar with ADT as I see that name everywhere, and I have considered getting a security system in the past and ADT was the first one that popped into my mind. Hadnt bothered looking into their dividend profiles and other company history. Thanks for sharing.
R2R
Roadmap2Retire recently posted…BCE Inc – A Cash Flow Machine That Belongs In Your Portfolio
Hi R2R,
It’s a unique space that does indeed offer several dividend payers. ADT and BCO are probably the more notable companies in the space and ABM has a very, very long dividend raise history going back 46 years. I think there can be some dividend quality in a sector that doesn’t get much attention. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
Haven’t given much thought to rent-a-cop dividends, but they pass some of the simple tests I look at from the outside. Have I heard of them? Do I/People use them? and Can I explain it to my Mom? A lock company, I think fits the test.
Even Steven recently posted…Closing in on Paying off Student Loans, How Should I Celebrate?
Hi ES,
Well ALLE is a spin off from a conglomerate that has many well known brands as well as items that many industries use. I think it’s always fun to find dividends in sectors that we normally overlook or don’t even consider. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
Great article DivHut…and very catchy title!! ADT is the only one I’m remotely familiar with here but I’d have to also give ABM a second look as well. Its hard to bypass a company with 46 years of dividend growth, regardless of the sector. 🙂
Thanks for sharing. Look forward to reading the next one! AFFJ
A Frugal Family’s Journey recently posted…P2P Accounts (Update) – November 2014
Hi AFFJ,
Happy you enjoyed this article. I can’t argue with your assessment of ABM and their long dividend history. Any company that has been paying dividends consistently for that long is definitely in an elite club. I guess another point of this article is that you can find good dividend paying companies in sectors you would traditionally not think to look. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
I am going to take a closer look at ABM as well. If the forward PE comes to be the yield may be work investing in it. Thanks for the Info!
DFG
Dividend Family Guy recently posted…October 2014 Budget
Hi DFG,
Prior to writing this article I have never heard of ABM and was surprised to learn about a company that has such a long dividend history that never gets mentioned anywhere. I agree with you that this stock definitely deserves a closer look. Thank you for stopping by.
Great list of companies. I like what ADT does and I like Brinks. I am going to put them on the back burner and do a little research. Thanks for bringing them to our attention.
Keep cranking,
Robert the DividendDreamer
Hi dd,
ADT and BCO are the two names that most people have heard of and probably think of when it comes to the security business. Happy to bring some new dividend names to light for you. Take a look at ABM as well. Thanks for commenting.
Interesting reading!
I can contribute to the list with Securitas a security company engaged in among other things guarding, mobile patrols, alarm monitoring, consulting and safety services. The company has customers a variety of industries and segments, including governments, airports, offices, banks, shopping centers, hotels, manufacturing, mining, hospitals and residential areas.
The company has operations in 52 countries in North America, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Africa. Securitas has and is a stable dividend player, currently yielding about 3,4% with a payout ratio of 56% and PE (TTM) about 17. Revenue growth has been relative flat in recent years but earnings have however grown somewhat the last two years.
Thanks for stopping by my blog earlier by the way. You have a good thing going here. Will add you to my blogroll.
Best Regards
Long-Term Investment recently posted…My Swedish Holdings Part 1
Hi LTI,
Thank you for sharing information about Securitas. A 3.4% yield looks very enticing on the surface and it seems to be affordable with that moderate payout ratio as well. I appreciate you stopping by and showcasing a company that we might not have heard of otherwise. This is one of the benefits of international dividend investing blogs. The exposure and knowledge you gain simply by reading other DGI posts is extremely beneficial. Thank you for adding DivHut to your blogroll as well.
I like these type of stocks but I am yet to own any. ADT is a big player in my area and they got it locked down with equipment, installations and service monitoring. I can only see them growing especially with wealth gap increasing and people become more fearful.
Asset-Grinder recently posted…$2,160,878 My Net Worth Update October 2014
Hi AG,
I have to say that your take on this sector is quite interesting by addressing the wealth gap as the rich become more fearful and protective about their assets therefore requiring the products and services of these security companies. ADT is a big player in my area too. I see their signs on many homes and businesses. Thank you for stopping by and commenting.
I love these outside the box choices, as they can add immense diversity to a portfolio. At the moment, I wouldn’t be able to pick up any of these, as I want to build my base first. I think ADT may be the most solid choice, along with ABM. Thanks for this series of specific sectors to consider. It’s very educational!
Special Agent Dividend recently posted…Recent Buy – Dividend Growth Investing
Hi SAD,
The way I see it, dividend investing stocks are all around us and one just needs to look around to find them. I’m happy to introduce you to some other names in a different sector that does pay out dividends. I think, too often, we focus on the “common” dividend names and sometimes overlook some other great long term payers such as ABM. Happy you enjoyed this read and thank you for commenting.