Many S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) and All Ordinaries (ASX: XAO) dividend-paying shares have significantly cut or deferred its dividend payments. This is not the case for the likes of BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP), Rio Tinto Limited (ASX: RIO) and Fortescue Metals Group Limited (ASX: FMG). With the current iron ore spot price sitting at US$91.13 per tonne and the benefit of a weak Australian dollar, iron ore miners can be expected to continue generating strong cash flows to pay a leading dividend yield.  

Iron ore tailwinds 

The iron ore spot price has remained resilient throughout the coronavirus pandemic. China iron ore futures hit record peaks this week as industry data showed that port inventory levels had fallen to the lowest in more than 3 years. 

Following China’s targeted tariffs on Australian sectors such as grain and beef, investors might be concerned that iron ore could be next. However, China and Australia are incredibly co-dependent on iron ore trade. There is no replacement for Australia’s iron ore. 

This is strengthened by the fact that one of the world’s biggest iron ore producing countries, Brazil, is struggling to contain the coronavirus. Brazil’s confirmed cases have grown to more than 250,000, with almost 17,000 confirmed deaths. The world’s largest iron ore miner, Vale, is also recovering from the fatal dam disaster last year that significantly disrupted its production. This could drastically threaten Brazil’s iron ore production and seaborne exports.  

China’s post-coronavirus stimulus 

Infrastructure construction and industrial output has been pivotal to China’s economic growth. The market is expecting further infrastructure stimulus measures to be decided in May or June. 

In response to the global financial crisis in 2008, the Chinese government unleashed a RMB$4 trillion stimulus package, equivalent to approximately 13% of the country’s GDP. This stimulus went towards various government-led projects, with a particular focus on infrastructure such as high speed rail lines, train stations, metro systems and airports. An infrastructure and commodity-reliant stimulus should further support the iron ore spot price and Aussie miners. 

Market-leading dividends 

Australian miners are positioned front and centre to generate strong cash flows and provide investors with a market-leading dividend.

At the time of writing, Fortescue pays a 7.70% dividend yield, BHP pays a 5.10% dividend yield and Rio Tinto pays a 4.90% dividend yield. Given Fortescue’s pure iron ore operations, it has greater exposure to the stable/rising iron ore spot price. 

I see a lot of potential in iron ore moving forward and these shares no doubt deserve a place on your watchlist. 

More reading

• How to invest $1,000 in ASX 200 shares like Warren Buffett today
• Why I’d invest $1,000 in this ASX tech share today
• Is the Wesfarmers share price in the buy zone?
• 3 five-star ASX 200 shares to buy right now
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday

Motley Fool contributor Lina Lim has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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If you’re looking at investing at the small side of the market, I think the three small caps listed below could be worth considering.

While there is certainly still a lot of work to be done, they all appear to be carving out bright futures for themselves.

Here’s why I think they should be on your watchlist:

Alcidion Group Ltd (ASX: ALC)

Alcidion is a fast-growing health informatics company which is aiming to transform healthcare with smart, intuitive technology solutions. It has a growing portfolio of software products and services such as Miya Precision, Smartpage and Patientrack. Combined, they support interoperability, allow communication and task management, and deliver clinical decision support at the point of care to improve patient outcomes.

Serko Ltd (ASX: SKO)

Serko is an online travel booking and expense management provider behind the Zeno Travel and Zeno Expense platforms. Zeno Travel provides AI-powered end-to-end travel itineraries, cost control and travel policy compliance to corporate customers. Whereas the latter platform allows its users to automate and streamline the expense administration function, identify out-of-policy expense claims, and prevent fraud. While Serko’s growth will be hit hard by the pandemic, I believe it will bounce back strongly when travel markets return to normal. Until then, it looks well-funded to ride out the storm.

Volpara Health Technologies Ltd (ASX: VHT)

Volpara is a Software-As-A-Service (SaaS) company that leverages artificial intelligence to improve the early detection of breast cancer by analysing mammograms and associated patient data. After which, the software is able to provide clinical decision support and practice management tools and a cost-effective way. But most importantly, it can be used to reduce breast cancer deaths. The company is currently generating NZ$18 million in annual recurring revenues (ARR), but estimates that it has a US$750 million ARR opportunity in breast cancer screening.

More reading

• These small cap ASX shares could be stars of the future
• Could these small cap ASX shares be the next Afterpay?
• 3 exciting ASX healthcare shares to watch in the 2020s
• 3 exciting small cap ASX shares to invest $3,000 into right now
• Why these 4 exciting ASX tech shares are soaring higher today

James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns shares of Alcidion Group Ltd and Serko Ltd. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of and has recommended VOLPARA FPO NZ. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Alcidion Group Ltd and Serko Ltd. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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