Build a Passive-Income Empire Now With Dividend Stocks

COVID-19 should be a wake up call. Don’t just rely on your job for income! Here’s how to start earning passive income from quality dividend stocks.

| More on:

The market crashed, and stocks are still low for long-term investment. For example, Toronto-Dominion (TSX:TD)(NYSE:TD) stock trades at about $55 per share at writing.

TD Dividend Yield Chart

TD Dividend Yield data by YCharts.

Observing a period of longer than 25 years from the graph above, it has been a pretty good deal to grab the dividend stock at a 4% yield. And now, it offers an even juicier dividend yield of 5.8%! That’s 45% greater in passive income! What a wonderful deal!

The TD stock price isn’t going to stay this low forever. But let’s say it does. Its dividend is well protected by a payout ratio of about 50%. This means it’s paying out half of its earnings as dividends and retaining the rest to run and grow the business.

In the last 20 years, the Canadian bank stock has never cut its dividend. In fact, its dividend is close to six times what it was then.

So, if you’d bought the stock 20 years ago and earned $500 of annual passive income from the stock, you’d be earning about $2,850 now!

All investments come with risks. TD stock is cheap trading at about 8.6 times this year’s estimated earnings because the near-term North American economic outlook is gloomy. Many people are at least temporarily laid off due to the fight against COVID-19.

Buyers of TD stock today should be ready for stagnant growth for a while but be happy getting paid a 5.8% yield.

Enbridge stock is great for income

Enbridge (TSX:ENB)(NYSE:ENB) stock is another wonderful stock for passive income.

ENB Dividend Yield Chart

ENB Dividend Yield data by YCharts.

Over more than 20 years, as shown from the graph above, there were few opportunities to buy the dividend stock at a yield of more than 5%. And now, it offers a whopping dividend yield of 8%. That’s 60% greater in passive income! What a great deal!

Enbridge is one of the most defensive energy stocks on the TSX index. It has a resilient business model with minimal commodity price risk and largely investment-grade customers. The quality of ENB stock’s cash flow is also among the best in the industry.

The North American energy infrastructure leader has increased its dividend for 24 consecutive years and counting. This means it increased its payout through low energy prices before.

If you’d bought ENB stock two decades ago and earned $500 per year of passive income from the stock, you’d be generating about $4,625 now!

Because of the lower energy demand situation, Enbridge will be navigating the ship even more prudently than before. Some of the focuses include continuing to improve the balance sheet and to run the business more efficiently.

ENB stock investors should be very happy with a starting yield of 8%.

Build a passive-income empire now

COVID-19 won’t be the last big thing that impacts the economy and people’s livelihoods. Don’t just rely on active income from your job.

Build a passive-income empire now with dividend stocks, starting with TD stock and ENB stock. Currently, they offer an average yield of 6.9%, which can immediately help complement your active income.

Investing $15,000 in each stock will generate passive income of about $2,070 a year. Don’t just stop at two quality dividend stocks, though. More diversification is needed.

Fool contributor Kay Ng owns shares of Enbridge and The Toronto-Dominion Bank. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Enbridge.

More on Dividend Stocks

Piggy bank on a flying rocket
Dividend Stocks

A Dividend Giant I’d Buy Over BCE Stock Right Now

BCE’s dividend shine has faded, while Great‑West’s steadier cash flows and coverage look more like the dividend giant to own…

Read more »

Partially complete jigsaw puzzle with scattered missing pieces
Dividend Stocks

These Are the Dividends I’d Lock in Before 2026

Generating solid dividends forms a good foundation for long-term total returns.

Read more »

some REITs give investors exposure to commercial real estate
Dividend Stocks

This 8.7% Yield TSX Stock Is One I’m Comfortable Holding for the Long Term

Firm Capital Property Trust offers about an 8% monthly yield from steady, necessity-based properties, prioritizing reliable cash flow over flashy…

Read more »

A modern office building detail
Dividend Stocks

3 Must-Own Blue-Chip Dividend Stocks for Canadians

These Canadian blue-chip dividend stocks have paid dividends for decades and are well-positioned to maintain the streak.

Read more »

Person holding a smartphone with a stock chart on screen
Dividend Stocks

Here’s How Many TELUS Shares It Takes to Generate $1,000 in Yearly Dividends

TELUS’s slump may be an income opportunity, offering a higher yield and steady cash flow for those with patience while…

Read more »

dividend stocks are a good way to earn passive income
Dividend Stocks

Invest $15,000 in This Dividend Stock for $1,078 in Passive Income

Do you want your first $15,000 to start paying you now? Freehold Royalties’s asset‑light model aims to deliver steady monthly…

Read more »

senior couple looks at investing statements
Dividend Stocks

How Married Canadians Can Earn Nearly $10,000 Per Year in Tax-Free Passive Income

Here is how a Canadian couple could earn an extra ~$10,000 of tax-free dividend passive income by combining their TFSA…

Read more »

a sign flashes global stock data
Dividend Stocks

3 TSX Stocks to Prepare for a Potential Bear Market

These top defensive Canadian stocks could be the best ways for investors to play a significant bear market in 2026.…

Read more »