Balancing Dividends and Fundamentals: The Case of NASDAQ:FWRD.

Unearth the potential of FORWARD AIR CORP (NASDAQ:FWRD) as a dividend stock recommended by our stock screening tool. NASDAQ:FWRD maintains a robust financial footing and delivers a sustainable dividend. We'll delve into the details below.

Assessing Dividend Metrics for NASDAQ:FWRD

ChartMill employs its own Dividend Rating system for all stocks. This score, on a scale of 0 to 10, is determined by evaluating different dividend factors, such as yield, historical performance, dividend growth, and sustainability. NASDAQ:FWRD has been assigned a 7 for dividend:

• FWRD's Dividend Yield is rather good when compared to the industry average which is at 2.35. FWRD pays more dividend than 81.25% of the companies in the same industry.
• On average, the dividend of FWRD grows each year by 9.77%, which is quite nice.
• FWRD has been paying a dividend for at least 10 years, so it has a reliable track record.
• FWRD has not decreased its dividend for at least 10 years, so it has a reliable track record of non decreasing dividend.
• FWRD pays out 23.35% of its income as dividend. This is a sustainable payout ratio.

Unpacking NASDAQ:FWRD's Health Rating

A critical element of ChartMill's stock evaluation is the Health Rating, which spans from 0 to 10. This rating considers multiple health factors, including liquidity and solvency, both in absolute terms and relative to industry peers. NASDAQ:FWRD has received a 8 out of 10:

• An Altman-Z score of 3.69 indicates that FWRD is not in any danger for bankruptcy at the moment.
• FWRD has a Altman-Z score of 3.69. This is in the better half of the industry: FWRD outperforms 75.00% of its industry peers.
• The Debt to FCF ratio of FWRD is 0.86, which is an excellent value as it means it would take FWRD, only 0.86 years of fcf income to pay off all of its debts.
• With an excellent Debt to FCF ratio value of 0.86, FWRD belongs to the best of the industry, outperforming 87.50% of the companies in the same industry.
• A Debt/Equity ratio of 0.21 indicates that FWRD is not too dependend on debt financing.
• With a decent Debt to Equity ratio value of 0.21, FWRD is doing good in the industry, outperforming 68.75% of the companies in the same industry.
• FWRD does not score too well on the current and quick ratio evaluation. However, as it has excellent solvency and profitability, these ratios do not necessarly indicate liquidity issues and need to be evaluated against the specifics of the business.

Analyzing Profitability Metrics

ChartMill assigns a Profitability Rating to every stock. This score ranges from 0 to 10 and evaluates the different profitability ratios and margins, both absolutely, but also relative to the industry peers. NASDAQ:FWRD scores a 8 out of 10:

• FWRD has a better Return On Assets (9.06%) than 81.25% of its industry peers.
• FWRD has a Return On Equity of 16.21%. This is amongst the best in the industry. FWRD outperforms 81.25% of its industry peers.
• FWRD has a Return On Invested Capital of 11.74%. This is amongst the best in the industry. FWRD outperforms 81.25% of its industry peers.
• The Average Return On Invested Capital over the past 3 years for FWRD is above the industry average of 9.83%.
• Looking at the Profit Margin, with a value of 6.26%, FWRD is in the better half of the industry, outperforming 75.00% of the companies in the same industry.
• In the last couple of years the Profit Margin of FWRD has grown nicely.
• FWRD has a better Operating Margin (9.14%) than 75.00% of its industry peers.
• In the last couple of years the Operating Margin of FWRD has grown nicely.
• Looking at the Gross Margin, with a value of 48.01%, FWRD is in the better half of the industry, outperforming 75.00% of the companies in the same industry.

More Best Dividend stocks can be found in our Best Dividend screener.

Our latest full fundamental report of FWRD contains the most current fundamental analsysis.

Disclaimer

Important Note: The content of this article is not intended as trading advice. It is essential to perform your own analysis and exercise caution when making trading decisions. The article presents observations created by automated analysis but does not guarantee any trading or investment outcomes. Always trade responsibly and make independent judgments.