We have some exciting news to share! The Motley Fool UK has now become The Twelfth Magpie -- an independent, UK-owned company, led by our long-serving UK management team — Mark Rogers, Chris Nials and Heather Adlington. In practical terms, it’s the same team you know, now fully focused on serving our UK readers and members.

Just as importantly, our approach remains unchanged: long-term, jargon-free, and on your side. This site is our new home, and there will be extra tweaks made across the coming few days as we settle in. So if anything looks a little off, please bear with us!

The content of this article was relevant at the time of publishing. Circumstances change continuously and caution should therefore be exercised when relying upon any content contained within this article.

This FTSE 100 insurer’s 6.8% dividend yield is forecast to keep rising. Is it time to add it to my passive income portfolio?

This top-tier FTSE stock raised its dividend 86% after terrific 2024 results, which means its very high yield can now generate strong passive income flows.

| More on:
Finger clicking a button marked 'Buy' on a keyboard

Image source: Getty Images

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More.

I own several shares specifically to generate a very high passive income. This is money made with minimal effort on my part, aside from choosing the stocks and monitoring their progress periodically.

These stocks have already enabled me to live a much better life than I would have done otherwise. And they should also allow me to enjoy an extremely comfortable retirement when I decide the time is right.

XXX

 My core passive income portfolio consists of M&G (current dividend yield 10.2%), Phoenix Group Holdings (9.5%), aberdeen (9.4%), Legal & General (8.8%), and British American Tobacco (7.4%).

There are other stocks I bought because I expect their dividend yield to soon rise above the 7%+ I require. Why this figure? Because I can get 4.8% from the risk-free rate (the 10-year UK government bond yield) and shares are not risk-free.

That said, my attention has been drawn to a new potential candidate for inclusion in this key portfolio for me.

What’s the new prospect?

FTSE 100 insurer Admiral (LSE: ADM) almost ticks my minimum dividend yield requirement box already. It paid a 192p dividend in 2024, which yields 6.8% on the current £28.41 share price.

Crucially though, analysts forecast this payout will rise to 206p in 2025, 209p in 2026 and 221p in 2027.

These would generate respective dividend yields of 7.3%, 7.4% and 7.8% — all well above my 7%+ floor.

Undervalued share price?

It also ticks my second criterion for inclusion in my passive income portfolio, which is an undervalued share price. This decreases the likelihood of my losing money on the share price if I ever sell it. Conversely, it increases the chance of my making a profit in that event.

A discounted cash flow analysis using other analysts’ figures and my own shows the stock is 49% undervalued right now.

That means the fair value for the shares is £55.71, although prices can (and do) go down as well as up.

Strong core business?

Admiral also ticks the third and final requirement box for me, which is a strong core business. It is earnings growth that ultimately powers a stock’s price and dividend higher over time.

And in this insurer’s case, analysts forecast its earnings will rise 6.7% a year to the end of 2027.

This looks a conservative figure to me, given its excellent 2024 results. However, a risk to its earnings does remain the cut-throat competition in the insurance sector.

That said, its 2024 pre-tax profit of £839.2m was nearly double 2023’s £442.8m. As a result, earnings per share soared 95% to 216.6p and the dividend was increased 86% to its current 192p level.

How much passive income can be made?

Investors considering a £10,000 stake in Admiral would make £9,701 in dividends after 10 years on the average 6.8% yield. This would rise after 30 years to £66,465 on the same average yield. These numbers also factor in ‘dividend compounding’ being used to turbocharge these dividend returns.

Adding in the £10,000 initial stake and the Admiral holding would be worth £76,465 by then. On the same 6.8% yield, this would pay £5,200 a year in passive income by that point.

Consequently, I have seen enough to say that I will buy the shares very soon indeed.

Simon Watkins has positions in British American Tobacco P.l.c., Legal & General Group Plc, M&g Plc, Phoenix Group Plc, and aberdeen group. The Motley Fool UK has recommended Admiral Group Plc, British American Tobacco P.l.c., and M&g Plc. Views expressed on the companies mentioned in this article are those of the writer and therefore may differ from the official recommendations we make in our subscription services such as Share Advisor, Hidden Winners and Pro. Here at The Motley Fool we believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.

More on Investing Articles

Friends and sisters exploring the outdoors together in Cornwall. They are standing with their arms around each other at the coast.
Investing Articles

£503 buys 14 shares in this FTSE 250 stock that returned 23.9% annually for the last 15 years

This FTSE 250 stock has averaged a huge return for 15 years. At today's price, £503 buys 14 shares. But…

Read more »

Black woman using loudspeaker to be heard
Investing Articles

£1,000 buys 25 shares in this FTSE 100 stock that’s returned 29.2% annually for the last 10 years

This FTSE 100 mining stock has returned close to 30% a year for a decade. At 3,995p, £1,000 buys 25…

Read more »

Female student sitting at the steps and using laptop
Investing Articles

Down 47%, is this growth stock finally worth buying in May?

With a £288m order book and a hidden pipeline of defence and nuclear contracts, is this growth stock now too…

Read more »

House models and one with REIT - standing for real estate investment trust - written on it.
Investing Articles

2 REITs yielding 7%+ to consider for passive income in 2026

A REIT backed by the NHS and another backed by Tesco and Sainsbury's with both yielding 7%+. Here's why I'm…

Read more »

Woman riding her old fashioned bicycle along the Beach Esplanade at Aberdeen, Scotland.
Investing Articles

Just 97 shares of this UK dividend stock generate £238 in passive income

A 5.7% yield, £238 in passive income from just 97 shares, and one of the most divisive dividend stocks on…

Read more »

ISA coins
Investing Articles

£10,000 in an ISA generates a second income of…

The London Stock Exchange is home to some of the world's most generous dividends. But how big a second income…

Read more »

Shot of a senior man drinking coffee and looking thoughtfully out of a window
Investing Articles

Expert recommendations: 2 top income stocks yielding 7%+!

With yields of 7.2% and 7.8% respectively, these two income stocks are catching the eyes of institutional analysts. Should investors…

Read more »

Illustration of flames over a black background
Investing Articles

3 top income-focused stocks to buy in May 2026, according to experts

Looking for a stock to buy for income in May 2026? Experts have flagged these three UK dividend shares as…

Read more »