How I’d Invest $10,000 in These 3 Monthly Paying Dividend Stocks

Dividends and a cheque every month. Is it likely to continue? Absolutely.

| More on:

Investing for monthly income is a strategy that never goes out of style. That’s especially true if you’re building a Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) or looking for a way to generate steady cash flow without selling shares. If I had $10,000 to put to work right now, I’d split it between three fantastic Canadian stocks that all offer monthly dividends. Those are Exchange Income (TSX:EIF), Granite Real Estate Investment Trust (TSX:GRT.UN), and Freehold Royalties (TSX:FRU). Each one covers a different part of the market, giving a nice balance of stability, growth potential, and juicy yields.

Hourglass projecting a dollar sign as shadow

Source: Getty Images

EIF

Let’s start with Exchange Income. EIF is a dividend stock that’s all about boring but beautiful businesses. It owns a mix of aviation services and manufacturing operations, most of which operate in niche markets with little competition. That means steady cash flow and pricing power, two things dividend investors love to see.

As of writing, EIF trades at about $50 per share. The dividend stock’s latest earnings show it brought in $2.7 billion in revenue over the past 12 months, along with net income of $121.2 million. Earnings per share (EPS) came in at $2.49, which nicely covers its monthly dividend payout of $0.22 per share. That works out to a yield of about 5.2%, which is not too shabby for a company that keeps growing through smart acquisitions and internal investments. EIF is the kind of stock that just quietly compounds in the background. This is exactly what you want for a monthly income portfolio.

Granite

Next up is Granite REIT. Granite specializes in industrial properties across North America and Europe, renting space to some of the world’s biggest and most reliable tenants. This includes logistics hubs, warehouses, and manufacturing facilities. These have become the backbone of today’s economy.

Granite’s stock price sits around $63 as of writing. Its 2024 results showed strong performance, with $568.64 million in revenue, marking healthy 9.1% growth year-over-year. Net income hit $360.6 million, and the REIT maintains a high occupancy rate that keeps cash flowing in. What makes Granite even more appealing is its monthly dividend of $0.2833 per unit, offering a forward yield of about 5.4%. Industrial real estate has proven to be resilient even through economic bumps, and Granite’s conservative balance sheet and quality properties make it a reliable income generator for the long haul.

Freehold

Rounding out the trio is Freehold Royalties, a dividend stock that might not be on every investor’s radar but probably should be. FRU owns royalty interests in oil and gas properties across Canada and the U.S. This means it gets paid a percentage of production revenue without having to worry about drilling costs or operating expenses.

This business model is incredibly efficient and cash-rich, especially when commodity prices are strong. As of writing, Freehold trades at about $11.85 per share. Its 2024 results were impressive, with $309.5 million in revenue and $149.5 million in net income. Earnings per share (EPS) came in at $1.00. Freehold pays a monthly dividend of $0.09 per share, giving it a very attractive yield of about 9.1% at writing. That kind of yield is hard to find these days, and Freehold’s asset-light business model helps it maintain payouts even if oil prices get a little rocky.

Bottom line

Splitting $10,000 equally between EIF, GRT.UN, and FRU would mean putting about $3,333 into each stock. Not only would this offer exposure to three different sectors. It would also smooth out the risks that come with investing in any single dividend stock or industry. Plus, because all three pay monthly, you’d start seeing cash hit your account regularly, which you could reinvest or use however you like.

Of course, no investment is completely risk-free. EIF depends on continued strength in aviation and manufacturing demand. Granite’s fortunes are tied to the health of the industrial real estate market, and Freehold’s revenue is influenced by energy prices. But all three dividend stocks have shown they can adapt and thrive over time – thereby making these excellent candidates for a long-term income-focused strategy.

Fool contributor Amy Legate-Wolfe has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Freehold Royalties and Granite Real Estate Investment Trust. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

More on Dividend Stocks

Oil industry worker works in oilfield
Dividend Stocks

Enbridge or Suncor? Here’s the Dividend Stock I’d Rather Own

Enbridge or Suncor? Here’s a look at the two Canadian energy stocks to see which dividend stock offers the better…

Read more »

dreaming of financial success
Dividend Stocks

5 Dividend Stocks I’d Trust to Keep Paying Me, No Matter What 

Explore reliable dividend stocks that offer low-risk investment opportunities and consistent cash flow in every market.

Read more »

Train cars pass over trestle bridge in the mountains
Dividend Stocks

Here’s a Dividend Stock That Just Keeps Getting Better

CN Rail (TSX:CNR) stock is a dividend grower that just keeps getting better with time.

Read more »

woman looks at iPhone
Dividend Stocks

This Stock Is Trading Near Its Low and Yielding Over 5.5%

This Canadian stock is trading near its low while offering a high dividend yield of over 5.5%, making it a…

Read more »

fast shopping cart in grocery store
Dividend Stocks

Here’s How I’d Turn a TFSA Into $800 a Month, Tax-Free

Here’s how I’d build a diversified TFSA portfolio for $800 a month in TFSA income using XEI, Enbridge, and high-yield…

Read more »

voice-recognition-talking-to-a-smartphone
Dividend Stocks

What’s Actually Going On With BCE’s Dividend?

BCE (TSX:BCE) stock might be further along with its turnaround, but the dividend might not be in hyper-growth mode just…

Read more »

ETFs can contain investments such as stocks
Dividend Stocks

I’m Seriously Considering This Canadian ETF for My Portfolio

The Vanguard FTSE Canadian High Yield Dividend Index ETF (TSX:VDY) has an above-average dividend yield.

Read more »

the word REIT is an acronym for real estate investment trust
Dividend Stocks

Here Are 2 Dividend Stocks I’d Hold Without Worry for 5 Years

Granite REIT and Choice Properties REIT are reliable passive income investments to hold for the next five years. Two key…

Read more »