Where to Invest $500 Right Now

Brookfield Infrastructure is a blue-chip TSX dividend stock that trades at a cheap valuation right now.

| More on:
money cash dividends

Image source: Getty Images

The ongoing market volatility allows investors to go bottom fishing and buy undervalued stocks trading at a significant discount to their intrinsic value. In the last two years, debt-heavy companies, part of sectors such as energy, infrastructure, industrials, and real estate, have trailed the broader markets due to headwinds such as rising interest rates and inflation.

Generally, a higher cost of debt results in higher interest payments for companies. This means investors will have to account for lower profit margins and narrowing cash flows, which will limit a company’s ability to reinvest in growth, target acquisitions, and lower balance sheet debt.

One such quality beaten-down TSX stock is Brookfield Infrastructure Partners (TSX:BIP.UN), which trades 35% below all-time highs. However, this pullback allows you to buy a blue-chip stock at a discount and benefit from a forward dividend yield of 6%. Let’s see why BIP stock is worth investing in right now.

A $500 investment in BIP’s IPO would be worth this much today

Investing a small sum of $500 every month can help you build a retirement nest egg over time. For instance, if you allocate $500 each month in an asset class that helps you generate 10% annually, your portfolio would be worth close to $$1.14 million at the end of 30 years. Now, if annual returns increase to 12%, your portfolio would balloon to $1.76 million.

The S&P 500 index has returned 10% annually for the last several decades after adjusting for dividend reinvestments. So, you need to identify stocks that can consistently beat the S&P5 500 index, which is not an easy task.

Brookfield Infrastructure Partners is one such TSX dividend stock that should outpace the S&P 500 index in the upcoming decade. Shares of the Canadian infrastructure giant went public in January 2008 and have since returned 477% to shareholders. After adjusting for dividends, cumulative returns are much higher at 1,110%.

So, if you brought $500 worth of BIP shares soon after its initial public offering, your investment would have risen to $6,000 today. This means that BIP stock has returned over 15% annually in the last 16 years, comfortably outpacing the broader indices.

Is BIP stock worth investing in right now?

Brookfield Infrastructure owns and operates a globally diversified portfolio of cash-generating assets such as railroads, data centres, pipelines, toll roads, and more. Despite an uncertain macro backdrop, BIP increased its funds from operations (FFO) per unit by 9% year over year. In the first two months of 2024, it raised US$550 million of proceeds from capital recycling initiatives, the proceeds of which would be used in other growth projects. BIP expects to grow dividend distributions over time due to organic growth and accretive acquisitions.

Since 2009, BIP has increased its FFO by 15% annually, while dividends have increased by 10% each year. The company ended 2023 with an FFO of US$2.95 per share while it paid US$1.53 in dividends, indicating a payout ratio of just 52%.

Priced at just 9.5 times trailing earnings, BIP is confident of growing its distributions between 5% and 9% annually going forward, making the stock attractive to income and value investors.

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 Aditya Raghunath has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Brookfield Infrastructure Partners. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

More on Dividend Stocks

money goes up and down in balance
Dividend Stocks

This 6% Dividend Stock Is My Top Pick for Immediate Income

This Canadian stock has resilient business model, solid dividend payment and growth history, and a well-protected yield of over 6%.

Read more »

ways to boost income
Dividend Stocks

1 Excellent TSX Dividend Stock, Down 25%, to Buy and Hold for the Long Term

Down 25% from all-time highs, Tourmaline Oil is a TSX dividend stock that offers you a tasty yield of 5%…

Read more »

Start line on the highway
Dividend Stocks

1 Incredibly Cheap Canadian Dividend-Growth Stock to Buy Now and Hold for Decades

CN Rail (TSX:CNR) stock is incredibly cheap, but should investors join insiders by buying the dip?

Read more »

bulb idea thinking
Dividend Stocks

Down 13%, This Magnificent Dividend Stock Is a Screaming Buy

Sometimes, a moderately discounted, safe dividend stock is better than heavily discounted stock, offering an unsustainably high yield.

Read more »

Canadian Dollars bills
Dividend Stocks

Invest $15,000 in This Dividend Stock, Create $5,710.08 in Passive Income

This dividend stock is the perfect option if you're an investor looking for growth, as well as passive income through…

Read more »

A Canada Pension Plan Statement of Contributions with a 100 dollar banknote and dollar coins.
Dividend Stocks

3 Compelling Reasons to Delay Taking CPP Benefits Until Age 70

You don't need to take CPP early if you are receiving large dividend payments from Fortis Inc (TSX:FTS) stock.

Read more »

A worker overlooks an oil refinery plant.
Dividend Stocks

Better Dividend Stock: TC Energy vs. Enbridge

TC Energy and Enbridge have enjoyed big rallies in 2024. Is one stock still cheap?

Read more »

Concept of multiple streams of income
Dividend Stocks

Got $10,000? Buy This Dividend Stock for $4,992.40 in Total Passive Income

Want almost $5,000 in annual passive income? Then you need a company bound for even more growth, with a dividend…

Read more »