Hindustan Zinc: Re-rating likely on rising dividend payout

Analysts are bullish because of volume ramp-up, strong price outlook and improving return ratios

Hindustan Zinc's (HZL's) announcement of a dividend of Rs 27.50 a share was cheered by the Street, with its stock price up 2.7 per cent to close at Rs 320.20 on Thursday.

The Street had expected a dividend of up to Rs 20. With a year-to-date one of Rs 29.45 a share, the dividend yield now comes to more than nine per cent, and the payout is higher than the Rs 27.8 a share in FY16. This has further bolstered the Street's confidence, as well as expectations, from HZL.

The company has distributed about 55 per cent of the cash on its