Protect Your Portfolio With These 2 Defensive Gems Today

Here’s why Kirkland Lake Gold (TSX:KL)(NYSE:KL) and Rogers Communications (TSX:RCI.B)(NYSE:RCI) are two great defensive options today.

Investors are constantly looking for opportunities to derive better yields from their portfolios. However, diversity and growth are also factors one should be looking for. With the market opening up, some sectors are certain to pick up better than others. Identifying such trends is essential to generate a good Return on Investment. Here, I have listed two stocks with high dividend yields offering diversity as well.

Kirkland Lake Gold

Kirkland Lake Gold (TSX:KL)(NYSE:KL) remains one of my top defensive picks in the market today.

As if gold wasn’t defensive enough on its own, Kirkland Lake’s valuation makes this stock stand out among the rest. The company’s trading at a valuation of fewer than 16 times earnings with some of the best assets in the precious metals mining space.

The company’s high-grade production in mining-friendly jurisdictions like Canada and Australia ought to stand out to investors. The earnings quality stemming from sky-high margins and operating efficiencies make this miner a top pick of mine.

Additionally, given Kirkland Lake’s high-quality balance sheet (with essentially no debt), I think the company could be in the market to make a deal happen. Indeed, the company will need to replace some production in the medium term as one of its high-grade mines nears the end of its life. I’m keeping my eye on Kirkland Lake right now in this regard.

Rogers Communications

As far as defensive sectors go, telecom players are inherently defensive. The cash flows these behemoths provide allow for extremely stable long-term returns for shareholders.

Additionally, the 5G catalyst is set to be huge in terms of incremental cash flow growth over the long term. For industry leaders like Rogers Communications (TSX: RCI.B)(NYSE: RCI), these are simply too many factors to ignore right now.

Rogers is bolstering its market position via a deal to acquire Shaw Communications (TSX: SJR.B)(NYSE: SJR) in a massive US$20 billion deal. This deal is set to cement the company’s cash flow growth trajectory, both in its existing core businesses as well as in 5G wireless.

Indeed, capital spending is going to rise substantially as a result of this deal. However, Rogers’s expanded footprint in Western Canada and the synergies that are possible as a result of this deal make for an interesting hold right now.

As far as defensive TSX plays go, both Kirkland Lake and Rogers Communications fit the bill nicely. These blue-chip stocks are among the best for diversification and cash flow stability in these otherwise uncertain times.

Fool contributor Chris MacDonald has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends ROGERS COMMUNICATIONS INC. CL B NV.

More on Dividend Stocks

Pile of Canadian dollar bills in various denominations
Dividend Stocks

2 No-Brainer Canadian Stocks to Buy With $5,000 Right Now

With reliable business models, resilient cash flows, consistent dividend payouts, and solid growth prospects, these two Canadian stocks could be…

Read more »

truck transport on highway
Dividend Stocks

Dividend Investing Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated – This Stock Proves It

Dividend investing can be straightforward. See how Brookfield Infrastructure’s essential assets and quarterly payout make BIPC worth a closer look.

Read more »

shopper buys items in bulk
Dividend Stocks

The Stock Built to Withstand Whatever 2026 Brings

North West combines essential retail demand, hard-to-replicate remote markets, and improving profitability as 2026 keeps investors guessing.

Read more »

Colored pins on calendar showing a month
Dividend Stocks

Here’s What $100,000 in the Right Stocks Could Pay You Every Month

If you have $100,000 to invest today, here's a mini four-stock portfolio that could earn you over $400/month of passive…

Read more »

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

Manulife Stock Is a Top Stock to Buy If Interest Rates Stay Higher for Longer

Manulife combines rising earnings, a growing insurance business, and investment income that can benefit if rates stay elevated.

Read more »

Concept of rent, search, purchase real estate, REIT
Dividend Stocks

A Reliable Dividend Stock Perfect for Your TFSA

A 6.9% yield and monthly payouts make SmartCentres REIT a natural fit for a TFSA. Here's why the income keeps…

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

Ski-Doo’s BRP and the Tariff Tumble: Is This Beaten-Down Stock a Buying Opportunity?

BRP shares have fallen further as trade tensions hit its powersports business, but strong sales growth and cash generation could…

Read more »

Start line on the highway
Dividend Stocks

2 High-Yield Stocks Safe Enough That I’d Put Them in My TFSA

These 2 TSX dividend stocks pay yields near 4% to 5% and just posted double digit growth. Here's why I'd…

Read more »