Dividend stocks are the foundation of great retirement portfolios, because as history has shown, they far outperform non-dividend-paying stocks over the long term. However, not all dividend stocks are created equal, so this is where you must do your homework. Fortunately for those of you who are reading this article, I’ve done the necessary homework and compiled a list of five great dividend stocks that you could buy right now, so let’s take a quick look at each.
1. BCE Inc.
BCE Inc. (TSX: BCE)(NYSE: BCE) is Canada’s largest communications company with about 21 million total subscribers.
It pays a quarterly dividend of $0.6825 per share, or $2.73 per share annually, which gives its stock a yield of about 4.6% at today’s levels. Investors must also note that its 4% dividend hike in February has it on pace for 2016 to mark the eighth consecutive year in which it has raised its annual dividend payment, and it has a long-term target dividend-payout range of 65-75% of its free cash flow.
2. Boralex Inc.
Boralex Inc. (TSX: BLX) is one of the largest owners and operators of renewable power generation facilities in North America and Europe, and it’s the largest producer of onshore wind power in France.
It pays a quarterly dividend of $0.14 per share, or $0.56 per share annually, which gives its stock a yield of about 3% at today’s levels. Investors must also note that its 7.7% dividend hike in February has it on pace for 2016 to mark the first year in which it has raised its annual dividend payment since it initiated its dividend in 2014, and it has a medium-term target dividend-payout range of 40-60% of its discretionary cash flows.
3. Chemtrade Logistics Income Fund
Chemtrade Logistics Income Fund (TSX: CHE.UN) is one of the world’s leading suppliers of industrial chemicals, including sulfur, sodium chlorate, potassium chloride, and zinc oxide. It also provides services, such as spent acid and hydrogen sulfide processing.
It pays a monthly distribution of $0.10 per share, or $1.20 per share annually, which gives its stock a yield of about 6.6% at today’s levels. Investors must also note that it has maintained its current annual distribution rate since 2007, and I think its consistent generation of distributable cash will allow it to continue doing so going forward.
4. Atrium Mortgage Investment Corp.
Atrium Mortgage Investment Corp. (TSX: AI) is one of Canada’s largest non-bank mortgage lenders with approximately $464 million of mortgages under administration.
It pays a monthly dividend of $0.07167 per share, or $0.86 per share annually, which gives its stock a yield of about 7.3% at today’s levels. Investors must also note that its 2.4% dividend hike in February has it on pace for 2016 to mark the third consecutive year in which it has raised its annual dividend payment, and it pays out a special dividend each February.
5. Allied Properties Real Estate Investment
Allied Properties Real Estate Investment (TSX: AP.UN) is one of Canada’s largest owners, managers, and developers of urban office properties with 154 properties across the country that total approximately 11.6 million square feet.
It pays a monthly distribution of $0.125 per share, or $1.50 per share annually, which gives its stock a yield of about 4.1% at today’s levels. Investors must also note that its 2.7% distribution hike in December has it on pace for 2016 to mark the fifth consecutive year in which it has raised its annual distribution.
