It can be tempting to wait for lower prices before putting $5,000 that’s sitting around in savings to work. Undoubtedly, if you tune into the financial news, you’ll probably hear that stocks are expensive and that a plunge may not be all too far off. And while the bull market has been as powerful as we’ve seen it in a long while, I just don’t buy the “bubble” case, at least not when it comes to the broad market (think the S&P 500 and TSX Index).
Arguably, the TSX Index still looks too cheap for its own good, especially considering the resurgence of the financial sector, the boom in gold mining stocks, and the bounce in some of the battered higher-yielding names, which I think will continue to do well as interest rates look to fall further.
In any case, those worried about buying stocks at close to a top may wish to spread their buying over the next couple of months. Perhaps buying in $1,000 increments could make a lot of sense if you fear that the correction will kick off the next month or even the next day after you’ve finally made your big purchase.
It’s impossible to time markets, but that won’t stop the many beginners who strive to buy low and sell high, but might run the risk of buying low and selling lower. If you are, in fact, a long-term investor, perhaps assuming you’re buying at close to a peak could make a lot of sense. That way, you’ll have a plan to buy more on the way down. And with such low expectations, you might end up delighted with the results over the shorter term.
Either way, here is one top stock that I think is a great value bet right here.
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CN Rail
CN Rail (TSX: CNR) stock has gone from fairly cheap to massively cheap. Even Mad Money host Jim Cramer chimed in on CN Rail, noting that the rail was too cheap. I couldn’t agree more. The stock has been beaten down, but the negative momentum may be starting to slow. Although it’s impossible to call the bottom until after the fact, I think that new investors will be getting in at what I view as an outstanding entry point.
At $131 per share, you’re paying 18.1 times trailing price to earnings (P/E) for one of the most proven dividend growth stocks in the country. The 2.74% yield is on the high end and should entice income-oriented investors looking for the perfect mix of upside potential, dividend growth potential, and upfront yield. Sure, headwinds have weighed on the outlook, but with a fresh slate in the new year, I think it’s time to give the rail titan the benefit of the doubt. Who knows? Next year could be a year full of surprises. Perhaps mergers and acquisitions, trade deals, or a stronger economy could awaken the sleeping dividend giant.
Catching CNR stock on the way down has been tough. That’s why buying incrementally could be the best way to proceed with building a long-term position on this falling knife of a blue chip. Management teams change, as does the macro landscape. However, CN Rail’s extensive rail network will stand the test of time. Under the right leadership and macro conditions, I see CNR stock rising again.
