Every company has risks, and we've spotted We wouldn't recommend just buying the first dividend stock you see, though. We need to see whether the dividend is covered by earnings and if it's growing.Dividends are usually paid out of company profits, so if a company pays out more than it earned then its dividend is usually at greater risk of being cut. Generally speaking, the lower a company’s payout ratios, the more resilient its dividend usually is. Any advice contained in this website is general advice only and has been prepared without considering your objectives, financial situation or needs. Interesting. With that in mind, we’re discomforted by Suncorp Group’s 12% per annum decline in earnings in the past five years. I love Simply Wall St. So we need to investigate whether Suncorp Group can afford its dividend, and if the dividend could grow. This platform truly empowers retail investors to make better investment decisions. Suncorp Group is paying out an acceptable 73% of its profit, a common payout level among most companies. Our research team consists of equity analysts with a public, market-beating track record. All things considered, we’re not optimistic about its dividend prospects, and would be inclined to leave it on the shelf for now. Simply Wall St is a financial technology startup focused on providing unbiased, high-quality research coverage on every listed company in the world. (2018)Suncorp Group Limited provides insurance, banking, and wealth products and services to retail, corporate, and commercial sectors in Australia and New Zealand. I love Simply Wall St.