When you see a popular ASX dividend stock trade with a dividend yield of almost 10%, you might be tempted to rush out and buy it straight away. After all, a 10% yield represents phenomenal cash flow potential. You could get nearly $10 back every single year for each $100 invested. That’s twice what a good term deposit is paying right now (even with our currently high interest rates). And it’s more than two what most other blue chip ASX dividend stocks are yielding.

The popular ASX dividend stock I am referring to is none other than WAM Capital Ltd (ASX: WAM). Yep, WAM Capital shares are, at the time of writing, asking $1.58 a share. At this price, the listed investment company (LIC) is trading on a dividend yield of 9.84%. Today, let’s discuss this dividend yield, and why yields at this height are usually a waving red flag.

As a LIC, WAM Capital owns and manages a portfolio of underlying investments on behalf of its shareholders. In WAM Capital’s case, this portfolio is made up of “undervalued growth companies”, usually of the small- to mid-cap variety, that WAM Capital has identified as possessing some kind of pricing catalyst that will see their value rise in the near future.

Some current holdings (as of 31 July) include Eagers Automotive Ltd (ASX: APE), Codan Ltd (ASX: CDA), DigiCo Infrastructure REIT (ASX: DGT), and Zip Co Ltd (ASX: ZIP).

WAM passes on any profits made from its arbitrage trades, as well as any dividends it receives from its holdings, on to investors in the form of its own dividends.

Why this ASX dividend stock’s near-10% yield is a red flag

A company’s dividend yield is a function of its share price just as much as its underlying dividend per share. As such, anyone who spots a company with a yield this high must ask themselves why the market is pricing it that way. The answer is usually that there is a high level of risk associated with that yield.

So where does the risk come from in the case of this particular ASX dividend stock? Well, let’s go through some numbers.

Since 2018, WAM Capital has paid out two dividends a year, each worth 15.5 cents per share. However, the company tells us that, again as of 31 July, it had just 13.3 cents per share in its profit reserve. That’s the pot where its dividends are funded from. There’s clearly not much left in the tank. If WAM Capital doesn’t replenish those profits soon, investors are at serious risk of a dividend cut. If that does eventuate, that 9.84% yield wouldn’t be long for this world.

This company doesn’t exactly have a glowing history either. For whatever reason, WAM no longer lists its recent performance figures on its site. However, a quick look at its share price will tell you all you need to know. Today, WAM Capital shares are trading at the same level they were way back in early 2002. Over the past decade, its share price has lost about a third of its value, probably not assisted by the company’s rather hefty 1% per annum management fee.

Foolish takeaway

That tells us that its dividends are the only real source of shareholder returns. Given the apparent precariousness of these payouts, it’s not hard to see why the market is pricing in so much risk to that yield.

Sometimes, a yield that looks too good to be true just might be that. Investors should always tread with extreme caution when red flags this large are waving in the wind.

The post This popular ASX dividend stock has a 10% yield. That’s a problem appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Eagers Automotive Ltd. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has jumped over 3% over the past month amid a surge in investor confidence.

Here are three undervalued ASX 200 shares which could be primed to storm higher over the next 12 months.

The A2 Milk Co Ltd (ASX: A2M)

A2 Milk shares are jumping higher in afternoon trade on Tuesday. At the time of writing, the milk company’s shares are up around 8% and changing hands at $7.04 a piece. 

Today’s share price spike follows the company’s FY26 results announcement on Monday morning. It reported a 12.4% increase in revenue but a 2.5% decline in full-year statutory EBITDA and a 5.8% drop in statutory NPAT.

Investors were initially hesitant but then many quickly bought into the shares.

Monday’s results announcement comes off the back of a difficult start to the year for A2 Milk. 

The shares crashed around 20% in early April after it lowered its FY26 guidance amid supply chain challenges, and the shares continued tumbling to an 18-month low in early-June.

The ASX 200 shares have recovered around 35% of their value from early-June to the time of writing, but the rebound still hasn’t brought the share price back to early-2026 levels. They’re still down around 24% for the year-to-date.

It’s clear that the company’s FY26 results weren’t as bad as many were expecting. Even after today’s 8% share price increase, it looks like the ASX 200 shares are still trading well below fair value.

Market Index data shows the majority of brokers have a buy rating on the shares. The $8.04 average target price implies a potential 19% upside, at the time of writing.

Lendlease Group (ASX: LLC)

Lendlease also posted its FY26 results early yesterday morning. The ASX 200 international property developer reported earnings at the top end of guidance but also posted a statutory loss after tax of $749 million.

Investors were spooked, and the shares crashed 11% by the end of the day. Today, ASX 200 property shares are back in the green, trading 1% higher at $2.90. The shares are also down around 44% year-to-date.

The announcement followed a disappointing first-half update earlier this year. 

The company has undergone a major strategic reset this year, which has seen it simplify its structure, exit international construction, and refocus its efforts on the Australian market. 

Investors aren’t sure, but it looks like analysts are more bullish that the company can pull off the new strategy.

Market Index data shows brokers are split between a buy and hold rating. But the $3.49 average target price implies a potential 22% upside, at the time of writing.

Nickel Industries Ltd (ASX: NIC)

Nickel Industries shares spiked to a three-year high of $1.10 in early May. But they’ve now lost around 25% of their value. At the time of writing, the shares are down another 1% and are changing hands for 83 cents each. That’s an 8% decrease year-to-date.

The ASX 200 company owns a portfolio of mining and downstream nickel processing assets in Indonesia. It has a controlling interest in the Hengjaya nickel mine and four rotary kiln electric furnace projects. These produce nickel pig iron (NPI) for the stainless-steel industry and materials for EV batteries. 

Its shares enjoyed a very strong start to 2026, including a new acquisition and strong financial results. But a weaker nickel price and higher costs have put pressure on the shares over the past couple of months.

But there is plenty of expansion potential ahead for the ASX 200 nickel shares, and brokers appear bullish that the share price can rally higher this year.

Market Index data shows that the majority have a buy rating on Nickel Industries shares. The $1.29 average target price implies a potential 56% upside over the next 12 months, at the time of writing.

The post 3 oversold ASX 200 shares trading for cheap right now appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Why Lendlease, A2 Milk and JB Hi Fi shares are turning heads on Monday
• Lendlease FY26 earnings: Top-end IDC result but statutory loss hits share price
• The A2 Milk Company posts higher FY26 revenue and increased dividends

Motley Fool contributor Samantha Menzies has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The WAM Leaders Ltd (ASX: WLE) fund is paying a dividend yield of 7.2%, fully franked, after its investment portfolio returned 14% for the year.

The 4.8 cent per share final dividend brings the total shareholder return for the year to 24.7%, while the grossed up dividend yield including franking credits comes in at 10.3%.

Fund has been performing well

Lead Portfolio Manager Matthew Haupt said it was a solid year.

He added:

The 2026 financial year was characterised by changing interest rate expectations, geopolitical tensions, global trade disruption and evolving views on the sustainability of artificial intelligence-led growth. These conditions created periods of volatility and meaningful shifts in market leadership, generating opportunities for active investors. The investment team and I adjusted portfolio positioning as conditions evolved, including maintaining exposure to areas of the market where we saw attractive risk-adjusted opportunities, while remaining disciplined on valuation. This approach enabled the investment portfolio to outperform the S&P/ASX 200 Accumulation Index during the year.  

Mr Haupt said the fund would remain focused on high-quality companies trading at attractive valuations.

He added:

Periods of market volatility can create opportunities for active managers, and the investment portfolio is positioned to take advantage of these opportunities as they emerge.

Chair Geoff Wilson said the strong investment performance contributed to a 153.5% increase in operating profit after tax of $161.8 million.

WAM Leaders has increased in value by 12% per year since listing in 2016, while also paying out dividends.

Resources and financials paying off

The fund’s investments include materials at 24.8%, financials at 20.9%, real estate at 13.6%, and consumer discretionary at 10.9%.

In terms of stocks, its largest holdings are in BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP), Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA), National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB), and Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES).

The fund also on August 10 announced a share purchase plan, allowing shareholders to subscribe for up to $30,000 in new shares.

The fund added:

The Board also announced the successful completion of a placement to professional and sophisticated shareholders. Bids exceeded the initial target raise which resulted in the placement bookbuild closing early and allocations being subject to scale back. The final placement size was increased to $225 million in response to the excess demand. The additional capital will enable the investment team to take advantage of investment opportunities for the benefit of all WAM Leaders shareholders.

WAM Leaders shares were changing hands for $1.33. The fund is valued at $2.06 billion.

The post This investment fund is paying a 7.2% dividend yield after solid results appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Cameron England has positions in Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended BHP Group and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.