I’m all the time keeping track of which FTSE shares have not too long ago hit 52-week lows. In any case, there is likely to be a couple of diamonds within the tough that would bounce again to type in time. Because it occurs, I believe I’ve discovered a pair that even have wonderful information in relation to dividend progress.

Tough buying and selling

I doubt a warmth remedy and thermal processing providers supplier is on many earnings traders’ radars. Nevertheless, FTSE 250-listed Bodycote (LSE: BOY) has a unbelievable historical past of elevating its whole dividend 12 months after 12 months. Even a worldwide pandemic couldn’t cease this wealthy run of type!

Regardless of this, the shares have misplaced all the features picked up from earlier within the 12 months and now sit just under the place they stood in January. A great portion of this may most likely be attributed to “challenging” market circumstances for its Automotive and Basic Industrial (AGI) division.

There’s no assure this received’t proceed. I’m not about to say that these prized dividends are fully secure both. Certainly, money distributions could be the very first thing to be shelved (or lowered) by an organization in robust instances.

Able to get better?

On a extra optimistic be aware, dealer RBC not too long ago upgraded the corporate to Outperform based mostly on its perception that progress within the engine aftermarket ought to assist to offset points within the provide chain. It additionally thinks that common industrial demand will bottom-out within the subsequent six months or so. Ought to this be the case, I believe current holders can relaxation simple.

Out of curiosity, Bodycote shares at present change arms on a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of simply 10 for FY25 (starting in January). That’s low for the sector and the UK market as an entire.

I’m going to attend for subsequent buying and selling replace earlier than deciding whether or not to behave. If final 12 months is something to go by, this could arrive in November.

Slowing gross sales

A second mid-cap hitting a 52-week low not too long ago has been IT providers specialist Computacenter (LSE: CCC).

Like Bodycote, Computacenter’s fall from grace — down 13% in 2024 — appears to be associated to a dip in buying and selling.

Income and adjusted pre-tax revenue have been falling in 2024. Thus far, the corporate has attributed this to the “expected normalisation of Technology Sourcing volumes” following some severely good numbers final 12 months.

Whether or not issues will enhance markedly within the quick time period is open to debate. However administration did say that it expects stronger momentum within the second half of FY24.

Nice report

Once more, I fancy this firm stays unknown to most individuals investing for passive earnings. That’s regardless of money returns being lifted persistently over time.

There was one wobble in 2020 when the corporate resisted paying a ultimate dividend. However I’m not about to evaluate Computacenter too harshly on this. On the time, many companies have been merely being cautious.

As I sort, this enterprise is predicted to yield 3% in FY24. That’s fairly common for a UK inventory. However at the very least it’s anticipated to be safely coated by revenue.

Just like its index peer, I’m holding again till the subsequent buying and selling replace earlier than deciding whether or not to make a transfer.

Happily, my persistence received’t be examined all that a lot. The following assertion is due on 30 October.