- Current economic conditions continue to weigh on Harvey Norman shares.
- The company cut its dividend payments in FY 2023.
- Analysts are cautious on the company’s growth prospects.
Harvey Norman is a multi-channel, multi-product retailer with a company-owned and franchise business model.
Before COVID-19 lockdowns began to cripple retailers with brick-and-mortar operations, Harvey Norman reported a 75% increase in net profit after tax in FY 2021.
The Half Year 2023 results showed that the company’s troubles continue.
While revenue was flat, underlying net profit fell 14.5% and dividends were cut by 35%.
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Harvey Norman Financial Performance
Source: ASX
Harvey Norman has been a dividend powerhouse, with a five-year average dividend payment of $0.31 per share, fully franked, and a five-year average dividend yield of 7.46%.
As seasoned investors know, dividends are not etched in stone. Harvey Norman cut its FY 2022 dividend of $0.38 per share to $0.24 per share.
Full Year 2023 results continued the trend, with revenue down 3.8%, net profit down 33.5%, and dividends cut by 33%.
Year over year, the share price is down 12.85%.
Source: ASX
An analyst at Bell Potter Securities has a SELL recommendation on Harvey Norman Holdings stock, citing weakness in the latest sales update from HVN, interest rates potentially being higher for longer, and the continuing cost-of-living pressures.
Consensus analyst opinion leans towards HOLD, with one analyst at BUY, eight at HOLD, and three at SELL.
Australian retail sales fell 0.2% in October, following gains in September – up 0.9% – and August – up 0.2%.
Forecasters predicted that Black Friday sales would surpass 2022 by 3%.
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