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.

| More on:

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

Blocks conceptualizing Canada's Tax Free Savings Account
Dividend Stocks

An Easy Way to Use Your TFSA Contribution Room to Build $757 in Annual Cash Flow

If you're looking to generate tax-free annual cash flow, put your available TFSA contribution room into these top dividend stocks.

Read more »

man looks surprised at investment growth
Dividend Stocks

4 CRA Traps That Could Reduce Your CPP Payments

A big CPP gap exists because most people won’t hit the maximum, and a few common paperwork and timing mistakes…

Read more »

Canadian Dollars bills
Dividend Stocks

How to Use a TFSA to Bring in $1,000 a Month Completely Tax-Free

Build a TFSA around quality monthly dividend stocks with growing businesses, and the journey toward earning $1,000 a month tax-free…

Read more »

data analyze research
Dividend Stocks

How I’d Turn $15,000 in My TFSA Into $50 Monthly Income

Here’s how I would turn $15,000 of TFSA cash into $50 per month of tax-free income.

Read more »

Man meditating in lotus position outdoor on patio
Dividend Stocks

2 No-Brainer Dividend Stocks to Buy Hand Over Fist

You could build long-term wealth with these dependable Canadian dividend stocks that combine steady income, strong earnings growth, and clear…

Read more »

jar with coins and plant
Dividend Stocks

Canadian Companies With a Track Record of Consistently Raising Their Dividends

Here's why Canadian stocks that consistently increase their dividends are some of the best long-term investments, regardless of their yields.

Read more »

Man holds Canadian dollars in differing amounts
Dividend Stocks

A 7.7% Dividend Stock Paying Cash Every Month

A 7.7% monthly yield looks great, but this REIT’s payout is only just getting back to “covered” territory.

Read more »

TFSA (Tax-Free Savings Account) on wooden blocks and Canadian one hundred dollar bills.
Dividend Stocks

I’d Put My Entire $7,000 TFSA Contribution Into This Dividend Stock

A single $7,000 TFSA contribution could buy a growing dividend from Tim Hortons’s parent, with global expansion doing much of…

Read more »