Dividends in focus for NZ earnings season as low interest rates underpin equity demand

Dividends in focus for NZ earnings season as low interest rates underpin equity demand
Jonathan Underhill
By Jonathan Underhill Feb. 10 (BusinessDesk) - The reporting season that kicks off this week may show moderating sales and earnings growth for New Zealand's listed companies, leaving dividend payments to underpin a stock market trading at high multiples. Brokerage Forsyth Barr forecasts aggregated revenue growth across 50 listed companies reporting over the next few weeks at 0.5 percent and normalised earning-per-share growth of 9.7 percent, while dividends per share are seen rising 14 percent. The dividend forecast includes reinstatem...