2 Reasons to Buy Dollarama Stock Before Year End and 1 Reason to Wait

There’s no question that Dollarama is one of the best stocks on the TSX, but should you buy it now or wait for a better buying opportunity?

| More on:
Key Points
  • Dollarama has returned over 600% in the past decade (21.4% CAGR), supported by revenue and normalized EPS CAGRs of 10.7% and 18.7%, making it a defensive, high-quality Canadian growth stock.
  • It’s attractive as a long-term buy and could rally into December, but its forward P/E (~42x) is well above the three‑year average (31.2x), so existing holders might wait for a better entry.
  • 5 stocks our experts like better than Dollarama

When it comes to finding high-quality Canadian stocks that are both incredibly defensive and offer rapid but consistent long-term growth potential, there might not be a better choice than Dollarama (TSX:DOL).

Over just the past decade alone, Dollarama stock has earned investors a total return of more than 600%. That’s a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 21.4%.

These massive and consistent gains have been supported by a CAGR of 10.7% in its revenue over the last decade, but more importantly, a CAGR of 18.7% in its normalized earnings per share (EPS).

And in today’s market environment, with uncertainty still at elevated levels and the need for investors to be positioned both in defensive stocks and high-potential growth names, there’s no question that Dollarama stock is at the top of many investors’ radars.

So, let’s look at why you should pull the trigger on Dollarama stock today, or why it might be better to wait.

A woman shops in a grocery store while pushing a stroller with a child

Source: Getty Images

Why should you buy Dollarama stock right now

Although the price and valuation of the stocks you’re buying matter, a lot of the time, they don’t matter as much as investors think.

In fact, one of Warren Buffett’s most famous investing quotes says, “It’s far better to buy a wonderful company at a fair price than a fair company at a wonderful price.”

This is absolutely the case with Dollarama. The stock will almost certainly never be undervalued. In fact, it can often trade with a growth premium. However, over the long haul, its consistent above-average returns have proven it is deserving of that growth premium.

So, the number one reason to buy Dollarama stock right now is that you’re looking for a high-quality defensive growth stock to own for the long haul.

By committing to Dollarama for the long haul, you mitigate the short-term risk of the stock declining in price.

And the second reason to buy Dollarama now, before the end of the tax-loss selling season, is that Dollarama is the exact type of stock that can see a Santa Claus rally.

So even with Dollarama stock already trading near the top of its 52-week range, it could continue to climb higher throughout December, making now the ideal time to pull the trigger if you have it on your watchlist.

Why you should hold off on buying the discount retailer today

Although price is not as important as investors think, especially if you’re buying a high-quality stock that you plan to hold for the long haul, if you already own Dollarama stock and have been looking to buy more, you can afford to hold off on Dollarama stock for a better entry point.

Dollarama stock is currently trading at a forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of roughly 42 times. That’s nearly the highest it’s ever been and considerably higher than its three-year average forward P/E ratio of 31.2 times.

Furthermore, there are plenty of high-quality stocks you can buy now that are valued fairly or even slightly discounted.

So, if you already own shares of Dollarama, one of the very best stocks on the TSX, then I’d hold off on buying the stock now and wait for a better entry point.

Fool contributor Daniel Da Costa has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Dollarama. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

More on Investing

stock chart
Stock Market

2 TSX Stocks Worth Picking Up the Next Time the Market Dips

If another market dip were to come our way, these are two stocks I would be adding to.

Read more »

holding coins in hand for the future
Dividend Stocks

2 Dividend Stocks Worth Holding for the Next 7 Years

These companies have long track records of delivering dividend growth.

Read more »

senior man and woman stretch their legs on yoga mats outside
Dividend Stocks

How to Make Your Retirement Savings Last a Full 30 Years

Canadian Natural Resources stock could be the retirement income anchor you need. Here is how to make your savings last…

Read more »

tsx today
Stock Market

TSX Today: What to Watch for in Stocks on Friday, April 24

With the TSX appearing on track to snap its four-week winning streak, investors could continue watching how volatile oil prices…

Read more »

a person watches stock market trades
Stocks for Beginners

Why Smart Canadian Investors Are Watching These 3 Stocks Right Now

These three TSX names are on investors’ watchlists because each has a real catalyst, real growth, and just enough proof…

Read more »

four people hold happy emoji masks
Dividend Stocks

Love Income Stocks? This High-Yield Alternative to Telus Might be Worth a Look

Alaris Equity Partners Income Trust offers a high-yield of 6.6%, with the benefits of diversification, strong returns, and growth.

Read more »

hand stacks coins
Dividend Stocks

3 Canadian Dividend Stocks Whose Passive Income Just Keeps Climbing

Here's a group of Canadian dividend stocks investors can look to buying on dips for growing passive income.

Read more »

Forklift in a warehouse
Dividend Stocks

2 TFSA Dividend Stocks I’d Lock In Now for Long-Term Income

TFSA investors: Shield high-yield REIT income from taxes forever. Lock in SmartCentres REIT (6.6% yield) & Granite REIT now for…

Read more »