It's been a painful few years for investors in Designer Brands (NYSE: DBI). Late 2013, this stock traded over $40 per share. There have been ups and downs, but the stock is ultimately down about 60% over the last six years. While those overall results stink, one bright spot is the company's stable dividend. Paid out now for 27 consecutive quarters, it currently yields 6%.
Image source: Designer Brands.
Investors often wonder how "safe" a dividend is. How likely is it that a company can continue paying its dividend and even increase it over time? Let's examine why I think Designer Brands dividend is currently safe -- but why that safety comes with one caveat.