Air Canada (TSX:AC) Stock Is a Great Contrarian Buy Right Now

Here’s why Air Canada (TSX:AC)(TSX:AC.B) and Enbridge Inc. (TSX:ENB)(NYSE:ENB) are two great Canadian names for contrarians to buy cheap and hold forever.

| More on:
Going against the grain

Image source: Getty Images

Value for money is everywhere that investors look right now. Canadians are looking for silver linings in the current economic landscape, and cheap stocks definitely fit the bill. For contrarian and value investors, there has never been a better time to start buying discounted stocks. The global economy is effectively being reset or going into hibernation, depending on your point of view.

It’s time to get in at the ground level

The markets always recover. It’s one of the basic tenets of investing. And big names like Air Canada (TSX:AC)(TSX:AC.B) and Enbridge (TSX:ENB)(NYSE:ENB) will rally alongside the TSX when the current hibernation period is over. In fact, they will likely outperform the country’s largest stock exchange. The relief rally will be tremendous when it happens, though it will likely come in stages.

Until then, some great stocks are ridiculously cheap. They could be about to get cheaper. A potential economic depression is starting to get baked in, just like the idea of recession is now baked in. But every setback will see a selloff. It is a highly event-driven market.

Billionaires such as Warren Buffett like airline stocks right now. This side of the border, Air Canada is a smart contrarian play.

The world will eventually return to something resembling normality. Borders will open, tourism will gradually recover, and the airlines will start the long-haul flight back to profitability. When this happens, Air Canada will begin to appreciate. As the nation’s best airline stock, Air Canada will enrich a portfolio in the long term. Shorter term, Air Canada could also benefit from an airline-protection scheme.

Oil is a contrarian hotbed right now

Now, let’s take a look at the contrarian thesis for buying stocks in the oil sector. Enbridge is a wide-moat name to buy and hold for years. It’s one of the sturdiest names on the TSX, yet the outlook for oil is bleak. Even Jim Cramer has turned bearish.

Yes, there has been some progress made on ending the oil price war. However, nothing can be done on the producers’ side of things to change the lack of demand. Supply will have to be drastically reduced in the short term.

Enbridge stands out because of its massive Mainline pipeline economic moat. The fact that Enbridge is holding all the aces right now makes it a rare buy in a sector full of falling knives. Contrarian investors looking to build a position can start buying incrementally. Meanwhile, investors can add Enbridge to a watch list of wished-for stocks if the price is still too rich for their tastes.

The bottom line

The knives are still falling. However, there’s a solid way to play the current market. Contrarian investors can slowly build positions by snapping up discrete packets of shares on the way down. Don’t back up the truck on Enbridge and Air Canada just yet — timing this market is impossible.

With the bottom nowhere near, investors should massage their portfolios, slowly building as the current situation unfolds.

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 Victoria Hetherington has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Enbridge.

More on Dividend Stocks

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 »

Payday ringed on a calendar
Dividend Stocks

3 Dividend Stocks That Pay Me More Than $54.57 Per Month

These three dividend stocks have done me well over the years, so let's look at how much I've gotten in…

Read more »

Golden crown on a red velvet background
Dividend Stocks

Dividend Royalty: 3 Fabulous Stocks to Buy Now for Decades of Passive Income

Rogers Communications stock and Canadian Natural Resources stock could pay you dividends for decades to come.

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

The Top Canadian REITs to Buy in April 2024

For growth and dividends this April, look to these two REITs that have quite the promising present as well as…

Read more »