Want Decades of Passive Income? 3 Stocks to Buy Right Now

These Canadian stocks have been consistently rewarding shareholders with regular dividend payouts for decades.

| More on:
hand stacking money coins

Source: Getty Images

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s premium investing services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

Top Canadian dividend stocks with a solid payout history, a growing earnings base, and sustainable yield can help generate decades of passive income. For instance, leading Canadian stocks have been consistently rewarding shareholders with regular dividends for years. So, if you want worry-free passive income, here are three fundamentally strong stocks worth buying right now.

Passive-income stock #1

Investors seeking decades of passive income could consider adding top Canadian utility stocks. These companies are known for their resilient and growing payouts. Notably, their rate-regulated businesses generate predictable cash flows, supporting steady dividend payouts. Among the leading utility stocks, investors could add Canadian Utilities (TSX:CU) to their portfolios.

Created with Highcharts 11.4.3Canadian Utilities PriceZoom1M3M6MYTD1Y5Y10YALL6 Apr 20203 Apr 2025Zoom ▾Jul '20Jan '21Jul '21Jan '22Jul '22Jan '23Jul '23Jan '24Jul '24Jan '2520212021202220222023202320242024202520252025303540www.fool.ca

Canadian Utilities offers natural gas and electricity services and has an unparalleled streak of dividend increases—52 consecutive years, the longest in Canadian corporate history. Moreover, Canadian Utilities stock offers a solid yield of about 5%.  

Looking ahead, Canadian Utilities’s highly contracted and regulated earnings base will likely support future dividend growth. The company continues to invest in regulated utilities and long-term, contracted assets, which will expand its rate base and earnings, driving higher dividend payments. Further, its payout ratio is sustainable in the long term.

Passive-income stock #2

Top Canadian energy infrastructure companies are known for their resilient dividend payouts. Enbridge (TSX:ENB) is a reliable stock in the energy infrastructure space that is worth buying for decades of passive income. Enbridge has paid dividends for about seven decades. Moreover, it has increased them by nearly three decades.

Enbridge’s extensive network of liquid pipelines across key supply and demand zones, high system utilization rate, power-purchase agreements, and regulated tolling frameworks position it well to generate solid earnings and distributable cash flow (DCF) per share, supporting its dividend increases.

Created with Highcharts 11.4.3Enbridge PriceZoom1M3M6MYTD1Y5Y10YALLwww.fool.ca

Further, Enbridge’s continued investments in traditional and renewable energy assets, low-risk utility-like projects, and strategic acquisitions augur well for long-term growth and will likely support its future payouts.

Enbridge projects a mid-single-digit increase in its EPS and DCF per share, positioning it well to grow its future dividend. It offers a high yield of over 6% and has a sustainable payout ratio of 60-70% of its DCF.

Passive-income stock #3

The leading Canadian banks have been paying dividends for decades, making them reliable investments for passive-income investors. For instance, top Canadian financial institutions have uninterruptedly paid dividends for over a century. Bank of Montreal (TSX:BMO) looks attractive among these firms for its longest-running dividend-payout record.

This Canadian financial services company has paid dividends for 195 years, which reflects the resilience of its payouts. Moreover, the bank has grown its dividend at a CAGR of 5% over the past 15 years, rewarding shareholders with steady income growth.

Created with Highcharts 11.4.3Bank Of Montreal PriceZoom1M3M6MYTD1Y5Y10YALLwww.fool.ca

Bank of Montreal continues to capture a larger share of its core markets, supported by its robust customer acquisition strategies. Further, its diversified revenue base, expansion into high-growth markets, solid credit performance, and operating efficiency augur well for earnings growth and future dividend payments.

The financial services giant expects its earnings to grow at a high single-digit rate, which will enable it to grow its future dividend at a healthy pace. Bank of Montreal has a conservative payout ratio and offers a dividend yield of 4.5%.

Should you invest $1,000 in Bank of Montreal right now?

Before you buy stock in Bank of Montreal, consider this:

The Motley Fool Stock Advisor Canada analyst team just identified what they believe are the Top Stocks for 2025 and Beyond for investors to buy now… and Bank of Montreal wasn’t one of them. The Top Stocks that made the cut could potentially produce monster returns in the coming years.

Consider MercadoLibre, which we first recommended on January 8, 2014 ... if you invested $1,000 in the “eBay of Latin America” at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $20,697.16!*

Stock Advisor Canada provides investors with an easy-to-follow blueprint for success, including guidance on building a portfolio, regular updates from analysts, and two new stock picks each month – one from Canada and one from the U.S. The Stock Advisor Canada service has outperformed the return of S&P/TSX Composite Index by 29 percentage points since 2013*.

See the Top Stocks * Returns as of 3/20/25

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 Sneha Nahata has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Enbridge. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Confidently Navigate Market Volatility: Claim Your Free Report!

Feeling uneasy about the ups and downs of the stock market lately? You’re not alone. At The Motley Fool Canada, we get it — and we’re here to help. We’ve crafted an essential guide designed to help you through these uncertain times: "5-Step Checklist: How to Prepare Your Portfolio for Volatility."

Don't miss out on this opportunity for peace of mind. Just click below to learn how to receive your complimentary report today!

Get Our Free Report Today

More on Dividend Stocks

A close up color image of a small green plant sprouting out of a pile of Canadian dollar coins "loonies."
Dividend Stocks

I’d Put $15,000 in These 3 Dividend-Growth Champions for Increasing Income Potential

Want to offset some volatility? Here are three defensive dividend-growth champions that can generate a juicy yield right now.

Read more »

Blocks conceptualizing Canada's Tax Free Savings Account
Dividend Stocks

Transform Your TFSA Into a Cash-Creating Machine With $7,000

Discover how the Tax-Free Savings Account can be your golden goose for generating cash without losing your investment.

Read more »

monthly desk calendar
Dividend Stocks

How I’d Invest $10,000 in Canadian Value Stocks for Monthly Dividend Income

A $10,000-diversified portfolio of value stocks focusing on dividend safety, yield, growth, and payment schedules can provide a reliable source…

Read more »

a person watches a downward arrow crash through the floor
Dividend Stocks

Is This Correction Your Chance? Top 4 Canadian Dividend Stocks on Sale

Stocks may be down, but now is your chance to get some of these top dividend stocks on sale.

Read more »

Confused person shrugging
Dividend Stocks

Where to Invest $2,500 in the TSX Today

These TSX stocks offer attractive dividends and a shot at decent upside on a rebound.

Read more »

Pile of Canadian dollar bills in various denominations
Dividend Stocks

Invest $25,000 in These Dividend Stocks for $1,956.66 in Annual Passive Income

Dividends stocks can make a huge difference, even if shares don't move an inch. And these might be the best.

Read more »

Pile of Canadian dollar bills in various denominations
Dividend Stocks

Got $5,000? 5 Income Stocks to Buy and Hold Forever

These income stocks have a solid dividend-payout history that can help you earn stress-free passive income.

Read more »

grow money, wealth build
Dividend Stocks

Why I’d Invest $10,000 in This Undervalued Dividend-Growth Stock for Decades of Income

This undervalued dividend stock offers a high yield of over 8% and can help you earn more than $200 in…

Read more »