How Investors Made a $275,000 Capital Gain (and How You Can Do it Too)

Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd (TSX:CP)(NYSE:CP) has been a winner for investors in the last 10 years. In the next 10 years, tech stocks like CGI Group Inc. (TSX:GIB.A)(NYSE:GIB) have the power to generate huge capital gains.

| More on:

Over the last 10 years, the S&P/TSX Composite Index has been on a wild ride, returning 76% in a bullish run that has been unmatched in history.

And during this run, we have seen a shift in the index’s constituents, with energy and materials companies becoming less significant and tech and financials becoming more significant.

Most recently, we have even seen the addition of cannabis stocks, with the likes of Aphria, Aurora Cannabis, and Canopy Growth joining the index.

And although these cannabis stocks have no earnings and probably won’t have stable earnings for a few years, these billion-dollar companies are quickly making their mark as meaningful constituents of the index. Canopy Growth stock has a market capitalization of $22 billion, Aurora Cannabis has a market capitalization of $12 billion, and Aphria has a market capitalization of $2.5 billion.

Earning a $275,000 capital gain

During the last 10 years, however, investors have had big success with some of the more traditional stocks.

Stocks like Canadian Pacific Railway (TSX:CP)(NYSE:CP) is a dividend stock that has benefited greatly from solid operating performance in the fundamentally sound railway industry that is protected by a deep and vast moat.

Investors who’d invested $49,000 in CP stock 10 years ago by buying 1,100 shares at $44.34 have seen this grow to $325,710 for a capital gain of $275,700.

How you can do it too

Wouldn’t you like to do that?

I mean, it’s one thing to look at history and see what we could have done, but what we really want to know is how to do this now.

To replicate this type of return, I am suggesting that you should consider a company that is in an emerging industry with years of growth ahead of it.

No, I’m not referring to the cannabis industry, although this would qualify as such an industry. I just see too many risks there for reasons I have discussed many times before.

I am referring to the tech industry — an industry that is transforming how we live, how we do business, and much more.

With a long history of shareholder value creation, CGI Group (TSX:GIB.A)(NYSE:GIB) has commanded respect from investors and its industry for many years now.

As a Canadian leader in IT services, this company has successfully grown through organic growth as well as acquisitions and has developed strong competitive advantages along the way.

The company’s balance sheet and cash flow generation remain stellar, and with the next wave of acquisitions aimed at helping the company double in size in the next five to seven years, CGI Group stock is likely to rise much higher.

With the stock price already having risen from $10.70 10 years ago to the current $96.09, we can see how it is well along the way to following in CP Rail stock’s footsteps.

Fool contributor Karen Thomas owns shares of CGI GROUP INC CL A SV. CGI Group is a recommendation of Stock Advisor Canada.

More on Dividend Stocks

GettyImages-1394663007
Dividend Stocks

3 Canadian Stocks to Buy if the Economy Avoids a Recession

If recession fears fade, these three TSX stocks could rebound fast as investors price in steadier spending and demand.

Read more »

diversification and asset allocation are crucial investing concepts
Dividend Stocks

How to Put $14,000 in a TFSA to Work for Monthly Income

Use a simple two‑REIT approach to generate monthly income from a $14,000 TFSA and build a recurring tax‑free cash flow.

Read more »

Colored pins on calendar showing a month
Dividend Stocks

This Dividend Stock Pays 5.1% and Sends Cash Every Month

This TSX stock offers reliable monthly dividend payments and yields over 5%. Moreover, it is likely to sustain its payouts.

Read more »

Investor reading the newspaper
Dividend Stocks

3 Dividend Stocks That Belong in Almost Every Investor’s Portfolio

These three Canadian dividend stocks are simply among the best the TSX has to offer. No matter an investor's risk…

Read more »

Concept of multiple streams of income
Dividend Stocks

3 Canadian Blue-Chip Stocks to Hold Through 2026 and Beyond

Given their solid underlying businesses, disciplined capital allocation, and healthy growth prospects, these three Canadian blue-chip stocks offer attractive buying…

Read more »

shopper carries paper bags with purchases
Dividend Stocks

This 5.3% Dividend Stock is My Go-To for Cash Flow Planning

RioCan REIT (TSX:REI.UN) delivers monthly 5.3% dividends for smooth cash flow, paid on the 6th or the 8th of each…

Read more »

Woman checking her computer and holding coffee cup
Dividend Stocks

3 Canadian Stocks That Could Shine in a Higher-for-Longer Rate World

If rates stay higher for longer, these three TSX stocks aim to win with hard assets, steady demand, and businesses…

Read more »

young adult uses credit card to shop online
Dividend Stocks

Forget Telus: A Cheaper Dividend Stock With More Growth Potential

Quebecor (TSX:QBR.B) stands out as a great, cheaper-looking dividend stock with more growth.

Read more »