(By Rich Bieglmeier) Investors looking for a high dividend stock with insider buying might consider MCG Capital Corporation (MCGC). The private equity firm currently pays an annual dividend of 12%, and its CEO, Richard Neu recently called his stockbroker to buy 152,354 shares, totaling $696,643 at a cost average of $4.57.
MCGC makes debt and equity investments primarily in companies with annual revenue of $20 million to $200 million and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, or EBITDA, of $3 million to $25 million, which the company refers to as "middle-market" companies. Generally, portfolio companies use our capital investment to finance acquisitions, recapitalizations, buyouts, organic growth and working capital.
Although MCG's management recently lowered its 2013 net operating income projections to $0.45 to $0.55 per share from the previous forecast of $0.50 to $0.60 per share, the stock prices is setting a new 52-week high.
Analysts believe the asset management company will earn 46 cents for the year ahead, which is only a penny above the low-end of company guidance. MCG currently trades for only 10.33 times 2013 earnings. Meanwhile, Wall Street's target for next year represents 64% eps growth. That's a fairly big discount. iStock also likes that MCGC is currently trading for less than its book value of $5.27.
If MCG Capital Corporation can trade at the industry average P/E of 12.94, then shareholders could see the price rise to $5.82 to $7.12 based on the company's 2013 guidance. With the stock trading at $4.74 as of this keystroke, the private equity firm offers significant, potential upside.
The question then becomes, can the company continue to pay a dividend of 12% based on today's stock price?
MCG Capital Corporation is a Regulated Investment Company (RIC) for federal income tax purposes, which generally allows them to avoid paying corporate income taxes on any income or gains that are distributed to stockholders.
Management intends to distribute sufficient dividends to eliminate taxable income and may distribute more than the taxable income which would be considered a return of capital.
As a RIC, the finance company is subject to a 4% excise tax to the extent that they do not distribute on an actual or deemed basis of 98.0% of current year, ordinary income, and 98.2% of current year, net capital gain income.
Put into English, investors should expect to see dividend payments roughly in the neighborhood of 44 cents to 54 cents in 2013, meaning a small dividend cut is possible, but still in the range of 9.3% to 11.4%, more than acceptable.
In iStock's view, MCG Capital Corporation (MCGC) offers investors and insiders an attractive package of potential capital gains and the opportunity to receive a high yield.