The Smartest Stocks to Buy With $20 Right Now and Hold Forever

Under-$20 TSX stocks such as Air Canada trade at a steep discount to consensus price target estimates in 2024.

| More on:

You can gain access to the equity markets with a low amount of capital and begin your investment journey. The popularity of zero-commission trading platforms has meant even $20 is enough to buy shares of quality companies, allowing shareholders to benefit from outsized gains over time.

Kinross Gold (TSX:K), Air Canada (TSX:AC), and Well Health (TSX:WELL) are three of my favourite TSX stocks trading under $20 a share. Let’s see why.

Kinross Gold stock

Historically, interest rates and gold prices are inversely related. So, investors can brace for an uptick in the prices of the yellow metal in 2024, given that interest rates may be lowered multiple times this year, making stocks such as Kinross Gold enticing investment options today.

Valued at $9.4 billion by market cap, Kinross Gold acquires, explores, and develops gold properties in the Americas. It is also involved in the extraction and processing of gold-containing ores and other precious metals such as silver.

Kinross ended the third quarter (Q3) with $471 million in operating cash flow and a free cash flow of US$123 million, indicating it allocated roughly US$350 million towards capital expenditures in the quarter. Its focus on organic growth should help Kinross Gold increase cash flows and dividends over time.

Currently, Kinross pays shareholders an annual dividend of $0.16 per share, indicating a yield of 2.1%. With a payout ratio of less than 40%, Kinross Gold has enough flexibility to raise dividends in 2024.

Air Canada stock

Airline stocks, including Air Canada, continue to trade significantly below all-time highs in a post-pandemic world.

Air Canada and its peers increased balance sheet debt significantly during COVID-19 to support their cash burn rates. While travel has rebounded post-lockdown restrictions, headwinds such as inflation and interest rates have eroded profit margins in the capital-intensive airline sector.

After delivering game-changing returns to shareholders in the decade prior to COVID-19, Air Canada stock is currently down 65% from all-time highs, valuing the company at $6.6 billion by market cap.

With $8.3 billion in cash and $14.4 billion in debt, Air Canada stock has enough liquidity to navigate an uncertain macro environment. It’s also forecast to improve adjusted earnings to $4.56 per share in 2023, compared to a loss of $2.76 per share in 2022.

Priced at four times forward earnings, Air Canada stock trades at a discount of 56% to consensus price target estimates.

Well Health stock

The final under-$20 stock on my list is Well Health, which has already returned 3,680% to shareholders since its initial public offering in 2016. Despite its outsized gains, Well Health stock is down 59% from all-time highs, allowing you to buy the dip.

Valued at $900 million by market cap, Well Health ended Q3 with sales of $204.5 million and adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization of $28.2 million. The company surpassed 1.03 million patient visits in the quarter, with 1.58 million total care interactions.

Well Health forecasts sales between $755 million and $765 million in 2023, while the top line might exceed $900 million in 2024. This TSX stock also trades at a discount of 100% to consensus price targets.

Fool contributor Aditya Raghunath 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 Investing

man looks surprised at investment growth
Dividend Stocks

This 6% Dividend Stock Pays Cash Every Single Month

Given its strong financial position and solid growth prospects, Whitecap appears well-equipped to reward shareholders with higher dividend yields, making…

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

1 Canadian Dividend Stock Down 33% Every Investor Should Own

A freight downturn has knocked TFI International’s stock, but its discipline and safe dividend could turn today’s dip into tomorrow’s…

Read more »

Person holds banknotes of Canadian dollars
Dividend Stocks

The 7.3% Dividend Gem Every Passive-Income Investor Should Know About

Buying 1,000 shares of this TSX stock today would generate about $154 per month in passive income based on its…

Read more »

businesswoman meets with client to get loan
Dividend Stocks

A Top-Performing U.S. Stock for Canadian Investors to Buy and Hold

Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE:BRK.B) is a top U.s. stock for canadians to hold.

Read more »

Map of Canada showing connectivity
Dividend Stocks

Buy Canadian: 1 TSX Stock Set to Outperform Global Markets in 2026

Nutrien’s potash scale, global retail network, and steady fertilizer demand could make it the TSX’s quiet outperformer in 2026.

Read more »

A worker overlooks an oil refinery plant.
Energy Stocks

A Canadian Energy Stock Poised for Big Growth in 2026

Enbridge (TSX:ENB) is an oft-forgotten energy stock, but one with an excellent yield and newfound growth potential worth considering in…

Read more »

dumpsters sit outside for waste collection and trash removal
Energy Stocks

Could This Undervalued Canadian Stock Be Your Ticket to Millionaire Status

Valued at a market cap of $600 million, Aduro is a small-cap Canadian stock that offers massive upside potential in…

Read more »

Retirees sip their morning coffee outside.
Dividend Stocks

TFSA Investors: How Couples Can Earn $10,700 Per Year in Tax-Free Passive Income

Here's one interesting way that couples could earn as much as $10,700 of tax-free income inside their TFSA in 2026.

Read more »