With the new financial year under way, Iâve been looking for stocks to buy. And Iâve got things moving with a pair of dividend shares look like a bargain to me.
Neither is a UK stock, which is unusual for me. But a delay to interest rate cuts across the Atlantic has created some opportunities in companies that look set to increase their dividends over time.
US stocks
US stocks have been falling lately following some worrying macroeconomic news. Specifically, the latest data indicates that the rate of inflation has crept back up to 3.5% from 3.2%.
By itself, I donât think this is a huge issue â Iâd expect businesses to be able to cope with 3.5% inflation. The issue though, is that it means interest rates are likely to stay higher for longer.
The US central bank has said it plans to start bringing down rates when inflation reaches 2%. And there had been some optimism this might be happening in the next couple of months.
To some extent, the level of the S&P 500 was already reflecting this. So news of rising inflation â which makes imminent rate cuts less likely â has been causing US share prices to fall.
Pfizer
Shares in Pfizer (NYSE:PFE) are down 37% from their 52-week high as Covid-19-related product demand faltered. I think the outlook for the business is much better than the market is giving it credit for though.
A return to the $6.58 in earnings per share the company reported in 2022 looks unlikely, but a $26 share price clearly reflects this. Analysts are forecasting $2.22 for this year, rising to $3.01 in 2026.
Thereâs no question the stock’s a risky investment â drug development is expensive and returns are uncertain. And attempting to grow through acquisition comes with a danger of overpaying.
but at $26, I think the stock’s become too cheap to ignore. If the company manages to keep increasing its dividend, Iâll get a very good return over time by buying at todayâs prices.
Realty Income
Realty Income (NYSE:O) is a real estate investment trust (REIT) with an enviable track record of dividend growth. But the stock’s 20% off its highs, due to one of its largest tenants closing stores.
By itself, I donât think this is a big problem â Realty Incomeâs diversified portfolio means the effect is likely to be somewhat limited. The issue comes with the possibility of more widespread closures.
Thatâs a genuine concern. But with no company making up more than 3.8% of Realty Incomeâs total rent and the average tenancy having 10 years until expiry, I donât see any imminent danger here.
As a result, Iâve been buying the stock for my Stocks and Shares ISA. Future growth might be slow and steady, but this is a chance to buy the stock at an unusually low price, so Iâm looking to take advantage.
Dividend taxes
For UK investors, thereâs an obvious disadvantage to investing in US dividend shares. Distributions are taxed at 30% (reduced to 15% with a W-8BEN form), rather than zero in a Stocks and Shares ISA.
Please note that tax treatment depends on the individual circumstances of each client and may be subject to change in future. The content in this article is provided for information purposes only. It is not intended to be, neither does it constitute, any form of tax advice.
Thatâs not something to ignore. But even with this in mind, I think the opportunities in Pfizer and Realty Income are just too cheap to miss at the moment.
The post 2 dividend growth shares I’ve just bought for my Stocks and Shares ISA appeared first on The Motley Fool UK.
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Stephen Wright has positions in Pfizer and Realty Income. The Motley Fool UK has no position in any of the shares mentioned. Views expressed on the companies mentioned in this article are those of the writer and therefore may differ from the official recommendations we make in our subscription services such as Share Advisor, Hidden Winners and Pro. Here at The Motley Fool we believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.
