The Top Stocks to Buy With $500 Right Now for Passive Income in 2024

These passive-income stocks offer dividends and returns, with shares already climbing as I write this!

The new year is on the way, and now is a great time to use up the rest of your contribution room in your Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA). That’s thousands of dollars that can be used to set you up for 2024 and a large amount of passive income. However, even if you want to just put $500 towards a few stocks, that will certainly be enough.

Today, we’re going to look at the top stocks that investors should consider with just $500 on hand. Those that could create huge passive income in 2024 through both dividends and returns. So, here are the ones I would consider first.

A plant grows from coins.

Source: Getty Images

goeasy

Shares of goeasy (TSX: GSY) have been climbing higher and higher on the back of strong earnings. In fact, the company has produced record-setting earnings through loan originations for the company — all at a time when, really, it shouldn’t be doing well!

Higher interest rates should have led to lower loans on hand, but that hasn’t been the case. So, when interest rates come down, goeasy stock should have even more growth coming its way. This is why it should certainly be one of the stocks to consider with just $500 for passive income.

If you put that $500 towards goeasy stock, here is what you could get from that investment, with shares reaching 52-week highs in 2024.

COMPANYRECENT PRICENUMBER OF SHARESDIVIDENDTOTAL PAYOUTFREQUENCYPORTFOLIO TOTAL
GSY – now$1583$3.84$11.52quarterly$474
GSY – highs$1643$3.84$11.52quarterly$492

Just $500 could be used to invest $474 in goeasy stock. That would bring in $11.52 in dividend income, as well as $18 in returns. Yet over time, goeasy stock has even more room to grow.

Nexus stock

Not willing to wait? Then I would Nexus Industrial REIT (TSX: NXR.UN). Nexus stock is a strong option as a real estate investment trust (REIT) that focuses on industrial properties. These properties will be here no matter what goes on in the world and continue to be in high demand to ship, receive, and assemble the products we need.

Nexus stock offers a great deal! Shares trade at just 4.53 times earnings, offering up a juicy 8.04% dividend yield. While shares are down 16% in the last year, they’ve risen 33% since bottoming out back in October. So, I would certainly use it while you can and put that $500 to work.

COMPANYRECENT PRICENUMBER OF SHARESDIVIDENDTOTAL PAYOUTFREQUENCYPORTFOLIO TOTAL
NXR.UN – now$863$0.64$40.32monthly$500
NXR.UN – highs$11.2563$0.64$40.32monthly$708.75

As you can see, you definitely get more passive income this way. However, there is a bit more risk, as Nexus stock hasn’t been around as long and doesn’t have as much of a recovery. Even so, you’ll gain $40.32 in dividends and $208.75 in returns for passive income in 2024 once reaching 52-week highs! This will certainly allow you to leave 2023 on a high note.

Fool contributor Amy Legate-Wolfe has positions in Goeasy. The Motley Fool recommends Nexus Industrial REIT. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

More on Dividend Stocks

Blocks conceptualizing Canada's Tax Free Savings Account
Dividend Stocks

How I’d Structure My $14,000 TFSA for Constant Income

If you have $14,000 saved in your TFSA, here is one easy investment strategy to earn $50 of tax-free monthly…

Read more »

woman looks at iPhone
Dividend Stocks

I’m Not Selling Telus After the 55% Dividend Cut: Here’s Why

Contrary to what the market seems to be saying, Telus Corporation (TSX: T) still has a lot going for it.…

Read more »

monthly calendar with clock
Dividend Stocks

A No-Nonsense 3.7% Dividend Stock That Can Pay Retirees Monthly

This no-nonsense dividend stock has returned more than $3.4 billion to shareholders through dividends since 2013.

Read more »

dreaming of financial success
Dividend Stocks

3 Questions to Ask Before Buying a Dividend Stock

Buying a dividend stock? Here are three questions to help you look beyond the yield, with examples from Enbridge, Fortis…

Read more »

Woman in private jet airplane
Dividend Stocks

Make $100 a Month Tax-Free: How Much to Invest in Diversified Royalty and Where

The TFSA is the ultimate investment account to place your money and earn tax-free income.

Read more »

man in bowtie poses with abacus
Dividend Stocks

Passive Income From Dividends: What Canadians Can Realistically Expect

Here's the actual dividend math the passive income gurus won't show you.

Read more »

Blocks conceptualizing Canada's Tax Free Savings Account
Dividend Stocks

RRSP, TFSA or Both? A Quick Guide by Income Level

Your RRSP and TFSA are complementing accounts that you can use to shield your income from taxes.

Read more »

Real estate investment concept with person pointing on growth graph and coin stacking to get profit from property
Dividend Stocks

Buying Your First Home? The $8,000 FHSA Deduction Most Renters Miss

An eligible renter's $8,000 FHSA contribution can save $2,400 at a 30% tax rate, with the purchase date guiding investments.

Read more »