How Safe Are Dividends in a Declining Market?

Dividends aren’t always safe in a declining market, although investors can limit their stock holdings in 2022 and beyond to companies with amazing dividend-growth streaks.

| More on:
Question marks in a pile

Image source: Getty Images

Seasoned investors understand the nature of dividend stocks and the payouts that come with them. Dividend-paying companies, through the board of directors, have the sole discretion of sharing a portion of profits with shareholders if market conditions are desirable.

Dividends in a declining market

In 2020, many companies across various sectors suffered business reversals from government-mandated lockdowns and social-distancing measures. Whitecap Resources (TSX:WCP) and RioCan (TSX:REI.UN) were established dividend payers pre-pandemic but had to stop the payouts during the coronavirus breakout.

Stopping or suspending payments was a hard pill to swallow, because dividends are enticing for investors. These decisions were necessary to preserve cash and protect the balance sheets. Fortunately, the energy stock and real estate investment trust (REIT) have recovered since and reinstated dividends.

Incredible comeback

Whitecap Resources is back on investors’ radars in 2022 because of its incredible recovery from the oil slump two years ago. As of this writing, the energy stock is a winner with its 42.24% year-to-date gain. At $10.32 per share, the dividend yield is an attractive 4.1% dividend.

In the first three quarters of this year, net income declined 13% to $1.35 billion versus the same period in 2021. However, elevated crude prices and strong production growth drove cash flow from operating activities and free funds flow higher. They soared 105% and 169% year over year to $1.62 billion and $1.22 billion, respectively.

The $6.38 billion oil and gas company is ecstatic about acquiring XTO Energy Canada assets from ExxonMobil and Imperial Oil and its integration into the business. Whitecap targets a net debt milestone of $1.3 billion in mid-2023, and, if successful, management plans to return 75% of free funds flow to shareholders.

Evolving REIT

RioCan has weathered the downturn in 2020 and is attracting income investors again. If you invest today, the dividend offer is a juicy 5.21% ($19.56 per share). Its president and chief executive officer Jonathan Gitlin said management’s strategy focuses on driving growth and creating value over the long term.

The $6.04 billion REIT plans to continuously evolve its portfolio to meet ever-changing market demands with more essential and resilient tenants. Gitlin is confident about RioCan’s growth trajectory in the back half of 2022 due to the ongoing demand for quality real estate. He added that the quality and positioning of the portfolio plus balance sheet strength should drive performance.

Dividend Aristocrats

Publicly listed companies pay, slash, or stop dividend payments depending on financial and economic factors. However, long-term investors and those building retirement wealth won’t leave anything to chance.

Dividend Aristocrats, or stocks with lengthy dividend-growth streaks, are available on the TSX. You can limit your stock holdings to companies with amazing track records of payouts to feel safe.

Nearly all primary sectors have Dividend Aristocrats, although Canadian Utilities (TSX:CU) is the perennial choice owing to 50 consecutive years of dividend increases. Also, the utility stock is one of only two Canadian Dividend Kings.

The $9.75 billion global company derives revenues from highly regulated utility and energy infrastructure assets. Current investors are ahead +1.68% year to date and enjoy a 4.96% dividend. At $36.03 per share, you’re paying for peace of mind in addition to uninterrupted passive income every quarter.

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 Christopher Liew has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

More on Dividend Stocks

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 »

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 »

edit Woman in skates works on laptop
Dividend Stocks

3 No-Brainer Stocks to Buy Under $30

These three stocks all offer a huge deal for investors looking for dividends, as well as growth that will last.

Read more »

You Should Know This
Dividend Stocks

How to Convert a $300 Monthly Investment Into $338 in Monthly Income

If you want a certain amount in monthly passive income, invest a similar amount today and leave the rest to…

Read more »

Increasing yield
Dividend Stocks

3 Income Stocks With Big Yields to Consider in April 2024

If you haven’t yet made your March investments, here are three income stocks to buy the dip and lock in…

Read more »

Senior Man Sitting On Sofa At Home With Pet Labrador Dog
Dividend Stocks

RRSP Investors: Don’t Miss Out on This Contribution Hack!

This hack has so many benefits for you -- not just when you put it in your RRSP but for…

Read more »

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

Passive Income: 2 Safe Dividend Stocks to Own for the Next 10 Years

Dividend stocks such as Manulife and Fortis can help you generate a stable and recurring passive-income stream.

Read more »

Young woman sat at laptop by a window
Dividend Stocks

3 Dividend Stocks Everyone Should Own for the Long Haul

For investors looking for top-tier dividend stocks to buy and hold for the long term, here are three of my…

Read more »