The S&P/TSX Composite Index rose 36 points on July 15. The energy sector suffered another lousy day, as oil and gas prices have softened in recent weeks. Broadly, the TSX has been somewhat flat since the middle of June. This period of calm may have inspired some anxiety among investors. Today, I want to look at three dependable dividend stocks that you can hold for the rest of your life. Let’s jump in.
This dividend stock is chasing a crown on the Canadian market
Fortis (TSX: FTS)(NYSE: FTS) is a St. John’s-based utility holding company. In late 2020, I’d looked at two dividend stocks that were coming close to becoming dividend kings. A dividend king is a stock that has delivered at least 50 consecutive years of dividend growth. Shares of Fortis have climbed 7.2% in 2021 as of close on July 15.
The company unveiled its first-quarter 2021 results on May 5. Adjusted net earnings increased to $360 million, or $0.77 per share — up from $315 million, or $0.68 per share, in the prior year. Fortis’s five-year $19.6 billion capital plan aims to increase its mid-year rate base from $30.5 billion to $40.3 billion by 2025. This, in turn, is expected to support dividend growth of approximately 6% through the end of the projected period. That would push Fortis over the dividend king threshold.
This dividend stock last delivered a quarterly distribution of $0.505 per share. That represents a 3.6% yield. Moreover, Fortis possesses a solid price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 20.
Why I love this energy stock for the long haul
The energy sector may have encountered turbulence in recent weeks, but it has enjoyed a resurgence for most of 2021. Oil and gas prices have staged a strong rebound due to improved demand. Back in May, I’d discussed why Suncor (TSX: SU)(NYSE: SU) was a dividend stock worth snatching up in this climate. Shares of Suncor have climbed 27% in the year-to-date period.
Suncor unveiled its first-quarter 2021 results on May 3. The giant oil sands producer delivered net earnings of $821 million, or $0.54 per share, in Q1 2021 — up from a net loss of $3.5 billion, or $2.31 per share, in the first quarter of 2020. This blew away analyst expectations.
Last year, Suncor was forced to reduce its dividend payout in response to pandemic-related pressures. The dividend stock last paid out a quarterly distribution of $0.21 per share, which represents a 3% yield.
One more dividend stock that has major staying power
Canadian National Railway (TSX: CNR)(NYSE: CNI) is another top dividend stock that you can trust for the long term. Its shares have dropped 5.5% in 2021 as of close on July 15. The dividend stock is still up 3.5% from the prior year.
In Q1 2021, CNR reported earnings of $974 million or $1.37 per share — down from $1.01 billion, or $1.42 per share, in the prior year. However, adjusted profits were up marginally. CNR reported that traffic volume increased 5% in the quarter, which spurred it to boost adjusted diluted earnings-growth guidance for the full year. The company is set to release its second-quarter 2021 results on July 20.
CNR last paid out a quarterly dividend of $0.615 per share. That represents a modest 1.8% yield.
