I’m always on the lookout for top Canadian dividend stocks to buy, in any market environment. Why? Well, because I’m a glutton for punishment.
I say that jokingly, but the reality is that investors who put all their capital to work in mega-cap U.S. tech stocks have outperformed investors in Canadian dividend stocks by orders of magnitude over the past decade.
That said, and I don’t have my crystal ball here with me today, but I’m not sure that’s going to be the case over the course of the next decade. I’m of the view that dividend-paying stocks with rock-solid balance sheets could outperform in the medium to long term. And these are two of my top picks I’m watching closely right now in this regard.
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SmartCentres REIT
I recently did a coverage piece on SmartCentres REIT (TSX: SRU.UN), which got me excited about this real estate investment trust once again.
What SmartCentres provides is blue-chip commercial real estate in urban centres around Canada. Notably, the company’s portfolio of properties tends to be anchored by one key tenant – Walmart, which provides each location with a very consistent stream of foot traffic and plenty of stability from a net income perspective.
With a divided yield of 7.4%, a reasonable multiple, and a business model that requires SmartCentres to pay out 90% or more of its net income to shareholders in the form of distributions, this stock is one I’d call every dividend investor’s dream.
Retail real estate can be a difficult place to invest in, unless it’s a company like SmartCentres with a rock-solid tenant base and low occupancy. This is one of those unique opportunities I think investors will start to catch wind of soon.
Suncor
Another top Canadian dividend stock I’ve long viewed as a value stock, or a play on the energy sector, is Suncor (TSX: SU).
Notably, there are a wide range of reasons why long-term investors would want to own this name. Considering the company’s valuation multiple of just 14 times earnings and a dividend yield near 4%, there’s a lot to like about Suncor’s risk/reward profile in this uncertain market.
With more focus on energy security within North America from both Canadian and American administrations, this is a company that should benefit from a positive macro backdrop for some time. And given the company’s rock-solid balance sheet and rising production potential, I think Suncor fits most long-term investor portfolios well in this climate.
