TFSA Investors: 2 Dividend-Growth Stocks to Buy and Hold

Looking to boost the yield of your TFSA? If so, look no further than Toronto-Dominion Bank (TSX:TD)(NYSE:TD) and North West Company Inc. (TSX:NWC).

| More on:

Tax-Free Savings Accounts (TFSAs) offer Canadians who are 18 and older the opportunity to set money aside and earn investment income without having to worry about the taxman, even when it’s withdrawn.

If you don’t already have a TFSA, you should strongly consider opening and contributing to one. If you do already have one, let’s take a closer look at why Toronto-Dominion Bank (TSX:TD)(NYSE:TD) and North West Company Inc. (TSX:NWC) would be great additions to it today.

Toronto-Dominion Bank

Toronto-Dominion Bank, or TD for short, is the second-largest bank in Canada and the sixth-largest bank in North America with approximately $1.18 trillion in total assets as of July 31. It offers a full range of financial products and services to approximately 25 million customers worldwide.

TD currently pays a quarterly dividend of $0.55 per share, representing $2.20 per share on an annualized basis, and this gives its stock a yield of about 3.8% today.

Its earnings support its dividend. In the first nine months of fiscal 2016, its adjusted net earnings totaled $6.95 billion ($3.64 per share), and its dividend payments totaled just $2.98 billion ($1.61 per share), resulting in a 43% payout ratio, which is within its target range of 40-50%.

In addition to having a high and safe yield, TD is a great dividend-growth stock. It has raised its annual dividend payment for five consecutive years, and its 7.8% hike in February has it on pace for 2016 to mark the sixth consecutive year with an increase.

As mentioned before, TD has a target dividend-payout range of 40-50% of its adjusted net earnings, so I think its consistent growth, including its compound annual growth rate of 9.8% from 2011 to 2015, and its 5.6% year-over-year increase to $6.95 billion in the first nine months of fiscal 2016, will allow its streak of annual dividend increases to continue for many years into the future.

North West Company Inc.

North West Company Inc., or NWC for short, is one of the leading retailers to underserved rural communities and urban neighbourhood markets in northern Canada, western Canada, rural Alaska, the South Pacific Islands, and the Caribbean. Its stores offer a wide range of products and services with an emphasis on food. As of July 31, it operates 229 stores under the Northern, NorthMart, Giant Tiger, AC Value Center, and Cost-U-Less banners.

NWC currently pays a quarterly dividend of $0.31 per share, representing $1.24 per share on an annualized basis, giving its stock a yield of about 4.7% at today’s levels.

Its cash flows support its dividend. In the first half of 2016, its operating cash flow totaled $49.78 million, and its dividend payments totaled just $30.08 million, resulting in a sound 60.4% payout ratio.

Like TD, NWC has consistently grown its dividend to reward its shareholders. It has raised its annual dividend payment for four consecutive years, and its 6.9% hike in September 2015 has it on pace for 2016 to mark the fifth consecutive year with an increase.

I think NWC’s consistently strong growth of operating cash flow, including its 15.6% year-over-year increase to $132.99 million in fiscal 2015 and its 24.4% year-over-year increase to $49.78 million in the first half of 2016, and its growing store count, including its addition of two net new stores over the last year and its planned opening of another store in January 2017, will allow its streak of annual dividend increases to continue for many years to come.

This article represents the opinion of the writer, who may disagree with the “official” recommendation position of a Motley Fool premium service or advisor. We’re Motley! Questioning an investing thesis — even one of our own — helps us all think critically about investing and make decisions that help us become smarter, happier, and richer, so we sometimes publish articles that may not be in line with recommendations, rankings or other content.

Fool contributor Joseph Solitro has no position in any stocks mentioned.

More on Dividend Stocks

Two seniors float in a pool.
Dividend Stocks

TFSA: How to Earn $1,890 in Annual Tax-Free Income

Plunk these investments into your TFSA to earn passive income and avoid the taxman.

Read more »

Engineers walk through a facility.
Dividend Stocks

1 TSX Stock I Wouldn’t Touch With a 10-Foot Pole

AtkinsRéalis (TSX:ATRL) is one TSX stock I'd never invest in.

Read more »

edit Woman in skates works on laptop
Dividend Stocks

3 No-Brainer Stocks to Buy Under $30

These three stocks all offer a huge deal for investors looking for dividends, as well as growth that will last.

Read more »

You Should Know This
Dividend Stocks

How to Convert a $300 Monthly Investment Into $338 in Monthly Income

If you want a certain amount in monthly passive income, invest a similar amount today and leave the rest to…

Read more »

Increasing yield
Dividend Stocks

3 Income Stocks With Big Yields to Consider in April 2024

If you haven’t yet made your March investments, here are three income stocks to buy the dip and lock in…

Read more »

Senior Man Sitting On Sofa At Home With Pet Labrador Dog
Dividend Stocks

RRSP Investors: Don’t Miss Out on This Contribution Hack!

This hack has so many benefits for you -- not just when you put it in your RRSP but for…

Read more »

A red umbrella stands higher than a crowd of black umbrellas.
Dividend Stocks

Passive Income: 2 Safe Dividend Stocks to Own for the Next 10 Years

Dividend stocks such as Manulife and Fortis can help you generate a stable and recurring passive-income stream.

Read more »

Young woman sat at laptop by a window
Dividend Stocks

3 Dividend Stocks Everyone Should Own for the Long Haul

For investors looking for top-tier dividend stocks to buy and hold for the long term, here are three of my…

Read more »