Forget Tesla: How to Play EV Stock Momentum and Collect a 5.8% Yield

Tesla’s success has investors seeking out the next EV winner. Betting on start-ups carries huge risks, but there is a way to get exposure to a new EV leader through this top Canadian dividend stock.

| More on:
Electric car being charged

Image source: Getty Images

The meteoric rise of Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) over the past year fuelled a wave of investor interest in EV stocks.

The EV sector is full of newcomers hoping to deliver the same success Tesla achieved. Some will grow to become very successful companies; others will fail and disappoint investors.

Betting on start-ups can result in huge gains if you get the timing right and choose the eventual winners. Unfortunately, nobody knows which stocks will be the next Tesla. In fact, Tesla CEO Elon Musk even said last December his company was about a month from filing for bankruptcy during a tough period between 2017 and 2019. Today, Tesla has a market capitalization of roughly US$775 billion.

How can investors play the EV momentum without taking on so much risk?

One option is to find stocks of companies that invest in EV businesses, but their positions represent a small part of the overall capital allocation.

In the ideal scenario, you get protection against the bet going bad while being positioned to reap the rewards if the investment succeeds and becomes the next Tesla in its EV sector.

Let’s take a look at Power Corp (TSX:POW) to see how it might fit the description.

Why Power Corp stock is a good way to bet on the EV sector

Power Corp is best known as a holding company with interests in insurance and wealth management businesses. The assets generate strong cash flow and profits. Power Corp shareholders receive a generous dividend that is safe and currently provides a 5.8% yield.

Power Corp also invests in new technologies and promising start-ups. On the financial services side, Power Corp and its subsidiaries own a controlling stake in Wealthsimple. The fintech firm’s implied valuation is $1.5 billion after the latest round of fundraising.

Another Power Corp investment targets the EV market. Power Sustainable Capital has a large position in The Lion Electric Company, a Canadian maker of electric school buses and commercial vehicles.

In November, The Lion Electric Company announced plans to combine with Northern Genesis Acquisition Corp. Northern Genesis is a publicly traded special purposes acquisition company (SPAC).

Once the transaction closes, Lion Electric expects to list as NYSE:LEV. The implied market capitalization for Lion Electric under the deal is US$1.9 billion. Power Sustainable held a 44.2% interest in Lion Electric heading into the agreement. Once the smoke settles on the deal, Power Sustainable will hold 31.4% of Lion Electric.

The result is a $737 million boost to Power Corp’s net asset value. That’s about $1.09 per share or 2.7%, according to the press release.

The bottom line

Investors who like the idea of betting on fintech or EV startups, but don’t want to take on too much risk can own Power Corp stock and get paid well while waiting to see if the new companies turn into home runs.

In the event Lion Electric grows to become the dominant player in the United States and Canada for electric school buses, the valuation could skyrocket and result in a huge payday. If not, investors have limited downside risk.

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.

David Gardner owns shares of Tesla. Tom Gardner owns shares of Tesla. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Tesla. Fool Contributor Andrew Walker owns shares of Power Corp.

More on Investing

A cannabis plant grows.
Cannabis Stocks

Canopy Growth Stock Is Rising But I’m Worried About This One Thing

Canopy Growth stock is soaring as the legalization effort makes real progress in both Germany and the United States.

Read more »

young woman celebrating a victory while working with mobile phone in the office
Investing

3 Roaring Stocks to Hold for the Next 20 Years

These top TSX stocks are excellent long-term buys, given their multi-year growth potential and solid underlying businesses.

Read more »

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 »

grow dividends
Investing

Here’s My Top 3 TSX Stocks to Buy Right Now

Even though the TSX has been rising, there are still some good bargains out there. Here are three top compounding…

Read more »

Target. Stand out from the crowd
Investing

Prediction: This Canadian Growth Stock Could Double by 2030

Alimentation Couche-Tard (TSX:ATD) is a top growth stock that could do well over the next six or so years.

Read more »

Businessman holding AI cloud
Tech Stocks

Could Investing $20,000 in Nvidia Make You a Millionaire?

Nvidia stock has made investors millionaires in the last 10 years. Is it too late to invest to become a…

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 »

money cash dividends
Stocks for Beginners

Have $500? 3 Absurdly Cheap Stocks Long-Term Investors Should Buy Right Now

If you're looking for cheap stocks, these three have a huge future ahead of them, all while costing far less…

Read more »