Passive-Income Investing: 3 Dividend Stocks to Buy and Hold Forever

Do you want to sit back and relax while passive income rolls into your pocket? Consider investing in these quality dividend stocks.

Many passive-income investing strategies aren’t truly passive. Well, they can be if you hire others to help you out. For example, rental properties aren’t passive-income investments. They require maintenance, and tenants sometimes require your attention. However, landlords can utilize real estate management services, which increases your cost but frees up your time, making your rental properties real passive-income investments.

Dividend stocks can be perfect for passive-income investing, but you need to know which stocks to buy and hold.

Passive-income investing is easy with TC Energy’s 5.7% yield

TC Energy (TSX:TRP)(NYSE:TRP) provides a safe and juicy yield of about 5.7%. The large-cap energy infrastructure company has a 20-year track record of providing sleep-well-at-night growing passive income to long-term investors. Its 10-year dividend-growth rate of 7.3% is not bad at all. It even more than keeps up with the high inflation of 4.4% we have experienced recently.

The company tends to generate stable cash flows through market cycles with little impact from the volatility of energy prices. Additionally, it has a $22 billion secured capital program for multi-year growth through 2025, including using renewables for a part of its pipeline network and clean energy projects. Natural gas infrastructure makes up about three-quarters of the business, which makes it stand out as a stable passive-income investment.

This dividend stock is also perfect for passive-income investing

Manulife (TSX:MFC)(NYSE:MFC) stock is good for an awesome 5.1% yield after hiking its quarterly dividend by 18% this month. The massive hike is thanks to the Canadian regulator finally giving our federally regulated financial institutions the green light to resume dividend increases and stock repurchases.

The big dividend yield is also thanks to Manulife stock being one of the cheapest large-cap financial services stocks on the TSX. At $25 and change per share, it trades at a dirt-cheap price-to-earnings ratio of about eight. Importantly, about one-third of its business operations are in Asia, which could drive higher growth.

For its core earnings, management is targeting a 10-12% growth rate. Like TC Energy, Manulife stock is also a Canadian Dividend Aristocrat. Specifically, MFC stock has increased its dividend for seven consecutive years with a five-year dividend-growth rate of 11%. The dividend stock is poised to continue raising its dividend with a sustainable payout ratio and higher earnings in the long run.

Fortis stock is a top Canadian dividend stock

Passive-income investing in dividend stocks isn’t complete without mentioning Fortis (TSX:FTS)(NYSE:FTS) stock. Many retirees buy and hold Fortis for growing passive income. Investors have bought the regulated utility stock for decades, and they sit on a fat yield on cost because the dividend stock has increased its dividend for almost half a century.

For example, if you’d bought the stock about 20 years ago, you would be sitting on a yield on cost of about 23%. Imagine earning a return of more than 23% every single year for your investment. That’s only possible and guaranteed with a quality dividend-growth stock. At writing, Fortis yields 3.8%. Its annualized payout of $2.14 per share results in a sustainable payout ratio of about 78%.

The Motley Fool recommends FORTIS INC. Fool contributor Kay Ng owns shares of Fortis and Manulife.

More on Dividend Stocks

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

2 TSX Stocks That Look Strong Even if Consumers Pull Back

When consumers tighten budgets, staples and housing-linked cash flow can hold up better than discretionary spending.

Read more »

Pile of Canadian dollar bills in various denominations
Dividend Stocks

A TFSA Pick Yielding 5% With Dependable Cash Payments

A TFSA pick yielding over 5% can offer dependable cash payments, and Enbridge stands out as a top option for…

Read more »

diversification is an important part of building a stable portfolio
Dividend Stocks

A Smart TFSA Portfolio for 2026: 3 Stocks I’d Buy Now

Here are three high-quality TSX stocks that you can buy and hold in a TFSA for massive long-term returns.

Read more »

stocks climbing green bull market
Dividend Stocks

3 Canadian Stocks That Could Turn Volatility Into Opportunity

Volatility can create opportunities, but these three TSX names each bring a different kind of “real-world” support: hard assets, essential…

Read more »

woman considering the future
Dividend Stocks

2 Canadian Dividend Giants Worth Considering While Interest Rates Stay Flat

Given their solid underlying businesses, resilient cash flows, and strong long-term growth prospects, these two Canadian dividend stocks look like…

Read more »

House models and one with REIT real estate investment trust.
Dividend Stocks

A 5% Dividend Stock That Pays Monthly Cash

Looking for dependable passive income? This dependable Canadian REIT pays investors every single month.

Read more »

ETF stands for Exchange Traded Fund
Dividend Stocks

A High-Yield Income ETF Yielding 10% That Probably Belongs in Your Portfolio

Hamilton Enhanced Canadian Covered Call ETF (TSX:HDIV) is a risk-on yield booster fit for investors willing to take on a…

Read more »

monthly calendar with clock
Dividend Stocks

A Consistent Monthly Payer With a Modest 4.1% Dividend Yield

This Canadian monthly payer combines reliable income with impressive financial momentum.

Read more »