To get strong returns on your investments, you don’t always need to chase risky high-flying stocks or wait around for the next market hype. Sometimes, the best path forward is sticking with the proven businesses that have navigated recessions, expanded across borders, and still manage to reward their loyal investors through good times and bad.
Whether you’re planning for retirement or simply looking for stable long-term returns, holding these large-cap stocks can bring the balance of attractive dividends and future upside. In this article, I’ll highlight two such TSX-listed dividend stocks you can buy today and feel good about holding for years.
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Bank of Montreal stock
First up is a banking heavyweight, Bank of Montreal (TSX:BMO), that offers a great blend of strong fundamentals with decades of dependable dividends. Better known as BMO, it’s one of Canada’s oldest banks and continues to be a top choice for long-term investors. The bank operates in personal and commercial banking, wealth management, and capital markets segments.
Following a more than 30% rally in the last year, BMO stock currently trades at $171.21 per share with a market cap of $122.5 billion, and it pays a quarterly dividend with an annualized yield of 3.8%.
In the third quarter of its fiscal 2025 (three months ended in July), BMO delivered another solid performance, reporting a 25% YoY (year-over-year) jump in its net income to $2.3 billion. This strong result was supported by revenue growth across its U.S. and Canadian operations, tighter expense control, and lower credit losses.
During the quarter, its provision for credit losses also improved to $797 million from $906 million a year ago, showing better credit performance. BMO also declared a quarterly dividend of $1.63 per share, maintaining its streak of rewarding shareholders with consistent payouts.
Looking ahead, BMO’s acquisition of Burgundy Asset Management is expected to strengthen its wealth management platform further — especially among high-net-worth clients. Coupled with its growing digital and artificial intelligence (AI) investments, these moves could help BMO maintain sustainable growth and an attractive dividend yield — a combination that long-term investors love to see.
Manulife Financial stock
Next is Manulife Financial (TSX:MFC), a global insurance and asset management powerhouse that continues to evolve with the times. Based in Toronto, it’s a top international insurer and investment firm that operates across Canada, Asia, and the U.S.
Interestingly, MFC stock has jumped more than 100% over the last three years. As a result, it currently trades at $47.66 per share, giving it a market cap of about $80.7 billion and a dividend yield of 3.7%.
For the third quarter of 2025 (ended in September), Manulife posted a 10% YoY increase in its core earnings to $2 billion on a constant exchange rate basis. The company’s core return on equity also improved to 18.1% during the quarter, showing strong profitability.
Breaking it down by region, Asia’s core earnings surged 29% YoY with the help of higher sales and a favourable insurance experience. Meanwhile, its global wealth and asset management segment earnings rose 9%, supported by higher performance fees and cost discipline.
Beyond numbers, Manulife is pushing digital transformation through AI-powered solutions like its AI Assistant in Hong Kong and new digital tools in Canada and the U.S., making it more customer-focused. These initiatives, combined with its strong capital position and growing international footprint, make Manulife a solid pick for investors seeking consistent dividends and long-term growth.
