Should You Buy This June-August Rally as it Falters?

Due to its growing dividend yield, Hydro One stock looks too cheap to ignore in an uncertain market environment.

| More on:
Dice engraved with the words buy and sell

Image source: Getty Images.

Currently, we’re witnessing a tug of war between bulls and bears. There are knowledgeable folks on both sides. One will be right and will be sure to tell everyone “told ya so” after the fact. The other will be wrong, but you probably won’t hear from them as they hibernate and stealthily change their stances.

Investing is a long-term game, and the pursuit of the perfect entry point often leaves investors short-changed. Chasing market rallies by buying too much and exhausting one’s liquidity position places an investor at risk of feeling the full force of a market correction, with no cash on hand to take advantage of buying opportunities.

On the flip side, those who sit around waiting for a return to prior market lows run the risk of missing out on huge upside moves. The June-August market rally was swift and helped many investors recover lost ground from the first half. If you got out in early June, when panic and fear were palpable on the Street, you’re likely wondering what you should do next, now that the average stock is up more than 15% in just a few weeks.

The good news is that beginner investors do not need to be bullish or bearish over the near-term. Instead, it’s ideal to play both sides of the coin. Buy the bargains you see, but have a bit of cash waiting in the wings in case the cheap plays become much cheaper over the coming weeks. That way, it’s a win-win. You’ll be happy when stocks continue to rally, and you’ll be content with picking up more shares on a market retreat.

After such a sizeable rally, investors should not chase. Instead, they should nibble away at the bargains they find, with the intention of buying more on a decline. Some investors like to buy half or even quarter positions, with the intention of adding on during further retreats. By implementing this strategy, you’ll care less about volatility and will be in a position to buy dips without the emotional rollercoaster.

Hydro One stock: A high-yielder that’s pricey but not as expensive as bonds

Currently, I’m a fan of value stocks that pay growing dividends over time. Though I’m not inclined to double-down on defensives, I do think Hydro One (TSX:H) is a rock-solid play. This is a good pick for rattled investors instead of bonds or other fixed-income assets, which still seem expensive despite sporting the highest yields in many years.

Sure, a 2-3%-yielding government or corporate bond fund may look enticing. But we don’t know the extent to which central banks will continue to hike. Further, inflation at more than 7% positions bonds as a losing proposition in terms of real (inflation-adjusted) returns.

Hydro One isn’t cheap. The stock trades like a growth play at 21.2 times trailing price-to-earnings (P/E). Though the price of admission is steep, I’d argue that the growing 3.1%-yielding dividend makes the stock a heck of a lot cheaper than any bond. Hydro One may be more volatile than bonds, but I do view it as less risky, given the interest rate risk.

Higher rates will weigh heavily on bond fund prices. But for Hydro One, it’s less of an issue. The highly-regulated utility will continue generating ample operating cash flows through recessions, rate hike cycles, and everything in between. That’s predictability that money can buy. And at current levels, I’d argue that the valuation is ripe for picking. Personally, I’d buy half now and half later, perhaps after a 10% pullback.

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.

Fool contributor Joey Frenette has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned.

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 »