Why Multi-Year TSX Winners Often Come From Surprising Sectors

Discover surprising TSX winners in niche sectors offering steady, long-term growth and potential multi-year returns for smart investors.

Key Points
  • Dollarama leverages optimized operations and international expansion to compound returns in the retail and discount store sector.
  • Exchange Income excels with diversified cash flows from regional aviation and industrial manufacturing, supported by strong acquisitions.
  • Stella Jones benefits from essential infrastructure ties, stable earnings, and favourable pricing power, making it a resilient stock pick.

When it comes to finding winners on the TSX, it can be easy to assume those major wins come from powerhouses like banks or energy. However, there are many other top performers, ones that stretch over years and years. And some in quite surprising areas of the market.

Whether it’s software firms, packaging companies, or even incredibly niche stocks, these fly under the radar. And in fact, they can offer quite the opportunity. So today, let’s look at some TSX winners that come from some surprising sectors on the TSX today.

Income and growth financial chart

Source: Getty Images

DOL

Now it might not be a surprise that Dollarama (TSX: DOL) is a winner, but it does come from a surprising sector. Retail and discount stores are a niche segment, one that many growth investors miss as it’s low glamour and low margin. Yet over the last decade, Dollarama stock has quietly compounded returns.

This performance comes from multiple angles. The retailer has leveraged its negotiating scale and suppliers, optimized logistics, and refined store layouts to boost productivity. Meanwhile, it has expanded through Dollarcity in Latin America and more recently the Reject Shop in Australia.

Its strength was most recently seen during the second quarter of 2026, reporting earnings per share of $1.16, with revenue rising 10%. Meanwhile, return on equity (ROE) hit over 135%! Furthermore, investors were treated to a renewed buyback program. All considered, though trading at a high price -to-earnings ratio, it’s still a TSX stock offering multi-year wins.

EIF

Exchange Income (TSX: EIF) is a textbook surprise sector winner, without the flashy themes but a durable, diversified business in aviation and industrial manufacturing. The TSX stock sits at the intersection of regional aviation and aerospace, as well as special manufacturing. While again not glamorous, many overlook it, despite cash flowing in from essential services.

And those essential services aren’t slowing down, with EIF slowly diversifying through acquisition. This includes Canadian North, expanding its footprint into remote Canadian markets. It has also seen record results during the second quarter of 2025, resulting in an increase in guidance for the year.

Analysts continue to believe it’s a strong buy thanks to its diversification, contractual stability in remote markets, capital upgrades, and growth through acquisitions. And with a monthly dividend, it’s a winner in any portfolio.

SJ

Finally we have Stella Jones (TSX: SJ), another less glamorous but essential TSX stock. The company is involved in pressured-treated wood, utility poles, and infrastructure wood products. This moat allows it to tie itself to essential uses like utilities and infrastructure rather than trends.

This strength was also seen during the second quarter of 2025, beating estimates. EPS hit $1.91, while revenue rose to $1 billion. Furthermore, it updated its 2025 sales to an estimated $3.5 billion. Furthermore, SJ stock trades at just 15 times earnings!

Analysts like the TSX stock for its infrastructure spending tailwinds, pricing and margin power, acquisition potential, resilience and, of course, value. While there can be some dips due to its cyclical nature, the bottom line is clear. SJ is a strong TSX stock that offers multi-year wins.

Bottom line

Overall, if you’re scanning the TSX today and looking for tomorrow’s long-term outperformers, don’t just focus on the biggest market caps. Instead, pay attention to those niche areas of the market. Ones that may not look exciting, but will lead you to exciting long-term gains.

Fool contributor Amy Legate-Wolfe has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Stella-Jones. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

More on Dividend Stocks

dividend growth for passive income
Dividend Stocks

2 Dividend Stocks Worth Holding for the Next 7 Years

If you want resilient, growing income from dividends, these are two top TSX stocks that are perfect for income and…

Read more »

dividends grow over time
Dividend Stocks

I’d Buy These 2 Dividend Giants for Decades of Passive Income

With resilient business models, dependable dividend histories, and attractive long-term growth prospects, these two dividend stocks could be compelling additions…

Read more »

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

The Dividend Stock So Simple, Even Your Procrastinating Brother-in-law Can Buy It

Buy and hold Brookfield Infrastructure -- own a diversified portfolio of essential infrastructure and collect steadily growing distributions.

Read more »

customer adds cash to tip jar at business
Dividend Stocks

Canada’s Investment Summit Unleashed Nearly $500 Billion: Here Are 3 TSX Stocks I’d Buy

Nearly $500 billion in commitments sounds huge, but the real investing opportunity is owning companies that can turn Canada’s buildout…

Read more »

Digital brain hologram on future tech background. Productivity of AI evolution
Dividend Stocks

AI ETFs for Canadian Investors Who Don’t Want to Miss Out

CI Global Artificial Intelligence ETF (TSX:CIAI) invests exclusively in AI stocks.

Read more »

workers walk through an office building
Dividend Stocks

Nearly $500 Billion Is Coming for Canadian Investment: This Is the Stock I’d Buy

Canada’s $500 billion summit headline may take years to materialize, but Power Corp already owns a platform preparing to deploy…

Read more »

man crosses arms and hands to make stop sign
Dividend Stocks

Why Hockey Gear Won’t Move the TSX Despite Making the Tariff List

Canadian Tire (TSX:CTC.A) and the hockey-related plays might not take too much of a hit as hockey gear joins the…

Read more »

ETF stands for Exchange Traded Fund
Dividend Stocks

Here’s a Monthly Income ETF Yielding 2.9% You Might Have Missed

The The Vanguard FTSE Canadian High Yield Index ETF (TSX:VDY) has an above-average yield that is paid out monthly.

Read more »