Top Stocks I’d Buy and Hold in 2026

If you’re looking for top Canadian stocks you can buy and hold through 2026 and beyond, here are five ideal picks to own for the long haul.

Key Points
  • Five TSX picks to buy and hold for 2026: value/dividend REITs Canadian Apartment Properties (CAPREIT) and Granite REIT, plus discounted growth names WELL Health, Cargojet, and goeasy.
  • Why buy: CAPREIT is the deepest value with a low forward P/FFO (~13.9) and ~4.4% yield, Granite offers ~4.4% yield with a conservative payout, and WELL, Cargojet and goeasy trade well below recent highs with meaningful upside if fundamentals recover.
  • 5 stocks our experts like better than CAPREIT

With less than a month left in 2025, it makes sense that many savvy investors are already thinking about how to position their portfolios and what top Canadian stocks to buy for 2026.

Naturally, most investors take a look at their portfolio at the end of the year, but this year it might be more important than ever.

There has been a ton of divergence in stocks throughout 2025, and a lot has happened, from trade wars to lower interest rates to entire sectors rallying like materials while others lag behind.

And while most TSX stocks, especially the highest-quality names, now trade at fair value or in some cases well above fair value, there are still a handful of reliable businesses that you can buy today at a compelling valuation.

So, if you’re looking for top Canadian stocks you can buy undervalued now and hold through 2026 and beyond, here are five ideal picks to own for the long haul.

Investor reading the newspaper

Source: Getty Images

Two top real estate stocks to buy in 2026 and hold for years

There’s no question that some of the best and most reliable, but also most affordable stocks that Canadian investors can buy in 2026 are high-quality real estate investment trusts (REITs).

For example, two of the best picks for investors today are Canadian Apartment Properties REIT (TSX:CAR.UN) and Granite REIT (TSX:GRT.UN).

In fact, Canadian Apartment Properties (CAPREIT) might be the cheapest high-quality stock on the TSX. The massive $5.6 billion REIT, which owns residential properties all across Canada, has already been trading undervalued as higher interest rates impacted its operations over the last few years.

And now, with weaker near-term fundamentals, tax-loss selling, and being removed from the TSX 60, CAPREIT is basically trading the cheapest it has ever been.

In fact, right now CAPREIT trades at a forward price-to-funds-from-operations (P/FFO) ratio of just 13.9 times. That’s the cheapest it’s been in more than 10 years, and well below its five and 10-year average forward P/FFO ratios of 19.5 times and 19.9 times, respectively.

Furthermore, its forward yield is currently sitting at 4.4%, which is also well above its five- and 10-year average forward yields of 3.1% and 3.3%.

Finally, in November alone, the REIT repurchased 1.4% of its outstanding shares, showing not just how undervalued management sees CAPREIT currently, but also how much financial flexibility it has even in the current environment.

So, if there was one stock that I’d recommend every Canadian investor add to their buy list for 2026, CAPREIT is undoubtedly a top choice.

Granite, on the other hand, is not as cheap as CAPREIT, but considering its quality, its long-term growth potential and the fact that it’s trading down roughly 30% from its all-time high, it’s one you can’t ignore either.

Not to mention, Granite also offers a current yield of more than 4.4% and pays out less than 70% of its adjusted funds from operations, showing the dividend is incredibly safe.

So, if you’re looking for a reliable stock you can buy in 2026 and have confidence holding for years to come, Granite is an excellent choice.

Three top growth stocks trading ultra-cheap

In addition to Granite and CAPREIT, three more top stocks for Canadians to add to their buy lists ahead of 2026 are WELL Health Technologies (TSX:WELL), Cargojet (TSX:CJT), and goeasy (TSX:GSY).

WELL Health has a ton of growth potential as it continues to expand its clinic network and grow revenue at an impressive pace, yet the stock is still trading near its 52-week lows.

Therefore, while this impressive growth stock, which operates in a defensive industry, continues to trade undervalued, there’s no question it’s one of the top stocks to buy heading into 2026.

Meanwhile, Cargojet is another high-potential growth stock trading ultra-cheap in the current environment, but that unbelievable discount won’t last forever. As e-commerce volumes recover and demand stabilizes, Cargojet’s strong market position should help earnings rebound rapidly, making now the time to buy the top stock even before 2026.

Finally, goeasy is trading ultra-cheap now after a short-seller report and a slight earnings miss in recent weeks, but the core business is still growing double digits with solid loan demand. So, with the stock now trading at one of the lowest valuations it has seen in years, it’s unquestionably one of the best opportunities Canadian investors have today.

Fool contributor Daniel Da Costa has positions in goeasy and Well Health Technologies. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Cargojet. The Motley Fool recommends Granite Real Estate Investment Trust. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

More on Investing

stocks climbing green bull market
Investing

These 3 Canadian Stocks Could Triple in 5 Years

These three Canadian growth stocks have massive growth potential and trade at compelling valuations, making them some of the best…

Read more »

diversification is an important part of building a stable portfolio
Dividend Stocks

A Consistent Monthly Payer With a Modest 2.5% Dividend Yield

Bird Construction pays a monthly dividend and just posted record backlog of $11 billion. Here's why income investors should take…

Read more »

Couple working on laptops at home and fist bumping
Investing

1 TSX Stock to Buy and Hold Forever, Especially in a TFSA

This TSX stock is backed by solid fundamentals and has proven ability to deliver consistent growth across varying economic conditions.

Read more »

coins jump into piggy bank
Retirement

How Much a Typical 45-Year-Old Has in TFSA and RRSP Accounts

Here’s how much a typical 45-year-old Canadian has saved in TFSA and RRSP accounts, plus what a balanced portfolio with…

Read more »

Happy golf player walks the course
Investing

The Secrets That TFSA Millionaires Know

Unlock the secrets to becoming a TFSA Millionaire with strategies for compounding returns and tax-free growth.

Read more »

Piggy bank and Canadian coins
Stocks for Beginners

TFSA Balances at 30: Where Do Most Canadians Stand?

Canadians aged 30–34 have about $61,882 in unused TFSA contribution room, representing a major missed compounding opportunity.

Read more »

man in bowtie poses with abacus
Dividend Stocks

Here’s What Average 25-Year-Olds Have in a TFSA and RRSP Account

At 25, you don’t need a huge TFSA or RRSP balance to get ahead, you just need to start.

Read more »

alcohol
Energy Stocks

A 6.1% Dividend Stock Paying Cash Out Monthly

Here's why this monthly dividend payer is one of the best Canadian stocks to buy for reliable and significant passive…

Read more »