Dividends have become something of a scarce commodity on the ASX these days. Many formerly ‘reliable’ ASX shares have deferred or cancelled their dividend payments in 2020 – and we’re only in May! We may well see many more ASX companies follow suit before the year is out.

So with that in mind, here are 3 ASX shares I would buy for my dividend income throughout the rest of 2020 and beyond!

BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP)

BHP has long been a solid dividend payer for ASX income investors, but I think this mining giant will be especially useful as we navigate through 2020. That’s because BHP will likely be fairly cashed-up and ready to reward their shareholders, unlike most ASX companies.

BHP’s largest operations are iron ore mines. Iron ore is a commodity whose price has held up remarkably well in 2020 and at the time of writing, is still over US$90 a tonne. These high prices should be enough to keep BHP’s dividend spigots open and the cash flowing in 2020 and beyond.

WAM Research Limited (ASX: WAX)

WAM Research is one of my favourite ASX dividend shares. It’s a listed investment company (LIC) that invests in small to mid-cap ASX shares that it perceives as undervalued. It uses the profits from these investments to fund its generous dividend. On current prices, WAM Research shares are carrying a trailing dividend of 7.6%, or 10.86% grossed-up.

Even though the company’s share price usually trades at a healthy premium to its underlying value, this yield will make it worthwhile for many income investors out there!

AGL Energy Limited (ASX: AGL)

AGL is an energy giant with significant electricity generation and transmission assets across the country as well as a gas distribution network. It’s one of the largest power companies in Australia.

Utilities like AGL are highly defensive (we need electricity all the time, after all) and thus, can provide a high and relatively ‘safe’ dividend stream (if there is such a thing). On current prices, AGL shares are offering a trailing dividend yield of 6.8%, partially franked.

Yes, AGL might be hit in the short-term by people deferring bill payments and other hardships related to the coronavirus shutdowns but, still, I think this company would be a solid ASX dividend share to have in 2020 and beyond.

More reading

• Goldman Sachs names 5 reasons iron ore prices won’t crash
• How to invest $1,000 like Warren Buffett today
• Safe dividend stocks to buy today for the COVID-19 world
• Why diversification is important and how to diversify your portfolio with ASX shares
• Why high yield dividend shares can be detrimental to your wealth

Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen owns shares of WAM Research Limited. 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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Shares in Ecofibre Ltd (ASX: EOF) have jumped 10% today after the cannabis company announced an exclusive distribution agreement. Under the agreement, Ecofibre’s topical hemp-derived products will be offered for sale through CVS pharmacies in the US. 

What does Ecofibre do?

Ecofibre is a biotechnology company which produces and sells hemp-derived products in Australia and the US. The company owns one of the largest and most diverse collections of genetics with over 300 landraces of cannabis from more than 25 countries. 

Ecofibre’s Ananda Hemp business processes hemp into nutraceutical products that promote health and wellness. The Ananda Food business provides customers with Australian grown and processed hemp-based foods.

Hemp Black is Ecofibre’s industrial use business that focuses on solutions across a spectrum of markets including fabrics, healthcare, composites, and building materials. 

New distribution agreement

Under the distribution agreement with CVS, Ecofibre will initially supply 10 products for sale exclusively at CVS pharmacy locations. Products will be manufactured at Ecofibre’s US headquarters in Georgetown, Kentucky. The products are expected to be available for purchase at select CVS locations from December 2020. The agreement is ongoing and covers future purchases with no minimum or maximum value. 

Ecofibre’s David Neu said, “we are very pleased to have been selected to supply this brand of products to be offered exclusively at CVS, and are excited at the long-term prospects of providing high-quality hemp-derived products to a broad range of consumers.”

Recent performance

Ecofibre reported revenue of $14.2 million in the March quarter, a 42% increase on the prior corresponding period, but down 4% on the previous quarter. The quarterly result was influenced by the dislocation in US hemp-derived cannabidiol (CBD) companies and the onset of COVID-19. 

Standards of professionalism and quality required by distributors and customers have continued to increase, causing significant industry disruption. Many low-quality manufacturers involuntarily exited the industry during the March quarter. 

Ecofibre has shifted to a wholesale distribution model with 2 significant buying groups added during the quarter. The shift is based on the expectation that the CBD industry must align with the existing US health care wholesale distribution model in the long term. Ecofibre expects to gain access to more pharmacies and practitioners over time. 

The balance sheet remains debt-free and capable of supporting working capital requirements for all 3 business lines. CEO Eric Wang said, “Ecofibre remains very positive over the medium-term . . . in the short-term we are acting on opportunities to accelerate growth where they are aligned to our strategy.”

More reading

• Goldman Sachs names 5 reasons iron ore prices won’t crash
• Looking for dividend income? Try these 3 ASX shares
• Leading broker names CBA shares as a sell
• ASX fundie says ASX 200 was more volatile in March than during the GFC
• 3 quality mid cap ASX shares to buy with $3,000

Motley Fool contributor Kate O’Brien 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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In afternoon trade the Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) share price is down 2.5% to $59.22.

This means the banking giant’s shares are now down 38% from their 52-week high.

Unfortunately for shareholders, one leading broker still believes they could be heading lower from here.

Who is bearish on Commonwealth Bank?

This morning analysts at Goldman Sachs retained their sell rating but lifted the price target on the company’s shares slightly to $56.40.

According to the note, Commonwealth Bank’s third quarter cash earnings of $1.3 billion is running well short of the broker’s second half expectations.

Though It acknowledges that this weakness has been driven entirely by higher provisions for bad and doubtful debts because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Excluding one offs, its profits were running ahead of its estimates. This was driven by better than expected net interest income (NIM) growth and partly offset by higher expenses.

So why is Goldman Sachs bearish?

Goldman Sachs’ main issue with Commonwealth Bank is its valuation. It doesn’t believe the bank deserves to trade at such a premium to National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB) and the rest of the big four.

Goldman notes that Commonwealth Bank’s pro-forma CET1 ratio, adjusted for announced but not yet completed asset sales, will fall 45 basis points half on half. This will bring its pro-forma CET1 advantage over its peers to <1%, from >1.5% at the end of the first half.

“Therefore, while we remain of the view that the CBA balance sheet looks the most defensive of the major Australian banks (provisions, capital, funding etc), we cannot justify the 25% 12-mo forward PER premium it trades on versus peers (vs. 14% 15-yr av.) and we stay Sell,” it explained.

Its preferred pick in the sector remains NAB. Goldman has a conviction buy rating and $17.50 price target on its shares.

More reading

• Top brokers name 3 ASX shares to sell right now
• ASX 200 down 0.9%: Xero posts strong growth & Australian economy loses 594,300 jobs
• Why Beach, CBA, Qantas, & Xero shares are dropping lower
• What happens to ASX shares if Australian house prices do fall 30%?
• Is the CBA share price a buy?

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro 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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