The Best Stocks to Invest $500 in Right Now 

The TSX has hit an all-time high, hinting that investor optimism has returned. Here are the best stocks to ride the bull rally.

The TSX hit an all-time high as the US Fed rate cuts added to the optimism that loans will soon become less overbearing. In this bullish market momentum, when some growth stocks have already peaked, some stocks are just gaining momentum.

Income and growth financial chart

Source: Getty Images

Three best stocks to buy with $500 right now

The best time to buy a stock is in the early stages of recovery. As the stock market has set the stage for recovery, it is time to buy these stocks before they peak.

SmartCentres REIT

The real estate sector is one of the key beneficiaries of interest rate cuts. The sector suffered from weak demand as high interest rates had made mortgages unaffordable. SmartCentres REIT (TSX: SRU.UN) was hit by the falling fair market value of properties, slowing sales of condos and townhomes, and high-interest expenses. Its dividend payout ratio even surpassed 100% of the operating cash flow. The interest rate cuts will bring two-fold relief to the REIT. Firstly, its interest expense will be reduced, and the sales momentum will pick up with mortgages becoming affordable.

Property prices could revive and drive the unit price of SmartCentres REIT, which fell 33% during the high-interest rate environment. The REIT’s unit price has jumped 17% since June when the first interest rate cut was announced by the Bank of Canada. The recovery rally has just begun. The REIT has the potential to recover to the pre-pandemic level of $35, representing a 30% upside. It is unlikely to cut distributions as it didn’t do so even during the 2009 Financial Crisis, and it wants to maintain that reputation.

Investing $200 in the REIT now can help you lock in a 6.9% annual yield and 30% capital appreciation over the next two years.

Magna stock

Now is a good time to buy Magna International (TSX: MG) stock as it trades near its four-year low amid uncertainty around automotive demand. High inflation and interest rates barely helped Canadians afford groceries and pushed discretionary spending to a later date. Despite remarkable growth in revenue (13%) and earnings per share (108%) in 2023, the stock did not show any excitement as these were pending sales from the long wait times caused by the 2022 semiconductor shortage.

With semiconductor supplies in check, production capacity enough to meet all new demand, and easing of interest rates, car sales could gradually pick up. I won’t expect the uptick immediately as interest rates take time to sink in and impact the industries they have affected.

I am confident about Magna’s recovery as its resilient business model helped it stay profitable and grow dividends in one of the automotive sector’s toughest years. A recovery is due for this auto components maker, and when the stock recovers, its share price could grow 80% to over $100.

Hive stock

Hive Digital Technologies (TSXV:HIVE) stock tends to do well in a bull market as investor optimism fuels Bitcoin prices. The company still earns a majority of its revenue from mining Bitcoin. While the halving event in April 2024 did slow the rewards, a bull market could revive Bitcoin prices and make its mined cryptocurrency more valuable. The stock has already jumped 22% from its September low. Delay no further and invest $100 in Hive as the stock could double your money in the short term.

And if you are in it for the long term, the stock could grow your money severalfold from its cloud business, which is seeing rapid growth.

Fool contributor Puja Tayal has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Magna International and SmartCentres Real Estate Investment Trust. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

More on Stocks for Beginners

scanning a package shipping label for ecommerce delivery
Stocks for Beginners

The 2 Canadian Stocks I’d Load Into My Portfolio Without Hesitation

CCL Industries continues to pair earnings growth with strong cash generation, while Restaurant Brands is benefiting from improving momentum at…

Read more »

Two seniors walk in the forest
Dividend Stocks

Can Dividends Replace a Paycheque in Retirement?

Can dividends in retirement replace your paycheque? Explore how Scotiabank, RioCan REIT, and Fortis can help build a steady retirement…

Read more »

Warning sign with the text "Trade war" in front of container ship
Stocks for Beginners

Trade Wars Are Reshaping Canada’s Export Map: This Railway Stock Could Benefit

CPKC could benefit as Canadian exporters seek new trade routes, but new destinations need to produce profitable freight.

Read more »

dividends grow over time
Dividend Stocks

The U.S. Dollar is Rising Again: Here’s What VFV Investors Should Know

VFV investors receive both U.S. equity returns and currency translation.

Read more »

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

Canada’s Job Market Could Decide What Happens to Mortgage Rates Next

Canada’s jobs report can influence mortgage expectations, but fixed and variable rates move through different channels.

Read more »

An engineer works at a hydroelectric power station, which creates renewable energy.
Energy Stocks

Brazil’s Election Has Investors Watching: This TSX Stock Offers a Different Way In

Brookfield Renewable gives Canadian investors Brazilian power exposure without making Brazil the entire investment.

Read more »

businessmen shake hands to close a deal
Dividend Stocks

A Canada-India Trade Deal Could Be Big for Infrastructure: Is WSP Stock a Buy?

India could require roughly US$840 billion of urban infrastructure investment over 15 years.

Read more »

Yellow caution tape attached to traffic cone
Stocks for Beginners

Is a TFSA a Good Place for an Emergency Fund? It Depends

Wondering if the TFSA is a good place for an emergency fund? We dig into when it is and isn't…

Read more »