1 Rock-Solid TSX Dividend Stock to Buy Before RRSP Season Ends

RRSP season makes yields look irresistible, but Canadian Utilities is really a “sleep-well” pick only if you’re happy with slow compounding and regulatory risk.

| More on:
Key Points
  • Canadian Utilities earns mostly regulated utility revenue, which supports a long record of dependable dividend growth.
  • It just extended its streak to 54 straight years of dividend increases, showing real commitment to the payout.
  • The key risk is regulator-set returns and capital spending needs, so returns may stay steady but not exciting.

Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) season can turn sensible investors into yield shoppers. You see a dividend, you picture retirement income, and suddenly the business fades into the background. Do not let that happen. In an RRSP, dividends can compound nicely, but only if the company can fund the payout and maintain its assets. Check payout ratios, debt, and the capital spending needed to keep service reliable. Then ask one question: Can you hold it through a dull year and still feel fine?

The RRSP (Canadian Registered Retirement Savings Plan) is a smart way to save and invest for the future

Source: Getty Images

CU

Canadian Utilities (TSX:CU) often earns that “rock-solid” label because it sells something Canadians always consume. It sits inside the ATCO group and runs regulated electricity and natural gas utilities, plus other energy-related operations. This ties a large share of earnings to approved rates and long-lived infrastructure. CU is not a stock that needs a perfect consumer mood or a hot commodity price. It needs steady investment, safe operations, and reasonable decisions from regulators.

Over the last year, the headlines have leaned more toward “steady grind” than “big splash,” which is exactly why dividend investors like it. In October 2025, it declared a quarterly dividend of $0.4577 per share, or $1.83 annualized at the time. In January 2026, it raised that quarterly dividend to $0.4623 and extended its streak to 54 consecutive years of dividend increases.That shows how seriously management and the board treat the payout.

Regulation has also stayed front and centre. Canadian Utilities operates heavily in Alberta, where the Alberta Utilities Commission sets an allowed return on equity for utilities. The AUC set the 2025 return on equity at 9%. Management has flagged headwinds from a lower allowed return and the end of an efficiency mechanism. That is the core risk with a utility. The business can run smoothly, while the regulator still squeezes the math.

Earnings support

Even so, earnings have stayed steady enough to support the dividend story. In the third quarter of 2025, Canadian Utilities reported adjusted earnings of $108 million, or $0.40 per share, up from $102 million, or $0.38 per share, a year earlier. It also reported earnings attributable to shares of $166 million, or $0.61 per share, which can move around with one-time items and timing. For an RRSP investor, the cleaner message is simple: the underlying business kept inching forward.

The next question is what keeps that trend alive. The answer usually comes down to capital investment that expands and modernizes the regulated network. In its Q3 2025 update, the company said it invested $402 million in capital expenditures, with 95% directed to regulated utilities. Earlier 2025 disclosures also pointed to system upgrades and growth projects, including Yellowhead in natural gas transmission and CETO in electricity transmission, plus work tied to the Atlas Carbon Storage Hub in its energy growth segment.

Valuation, meanwhile, looks like what you would expect for a steady Canadian utility. The dividend stock trades at 22.6 times earnings with a 4.13% dividend yield at writing. That isn’t bargain-bin pricing, but it also is not priced like a stock that needs miracles. You are paying for resilience, not fireworks. If interest rates drift lower later in 2026, the market often treats utilities more kindly, but the business still needs supportive regulation to deliver. And right now, $7,000 can still bring in a lot.

COMPANYRECENT PRICENUMBER OF SHARESANNUAL DIVIDENDANNUAL TOTAL PAYOUTFREQUENCYTOTAL INVESTMENT
CU$43.99159$1.84$292.56Quarterly$6,994.41

Bottom line

So, is it a rock-solid TSX dividend stock to buy before RRSP season ends? It could be, especially if you want dependable income with lower drama and you can accept slow-and-steady returns. The risks still matter. Regulators can tighten returns, and higher borrowing costs can pinch free cash flow. If you need fast upside, this will feel sleepy. If you want an RRSP anchor that can quietly compound while you focus on life, Canadian Utilities deserves a serious look.

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

More on Energy Stocks

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 »

pig shows concept of sustainable investing
Energy Stocks

How $14,000 in This TSX Stock Could Generate $860 in Annual Income

Explore tips on maximizing your annual income with dividend stocks and learn more about Freehold Royalties' offerings.

Read more »

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

2 Stocks to Buy and Hold Forever: A Long-Term Play for Your Portfolio

With steady cash flow, ongoing expansion, and reliable dividends, these two top Canadian stocks remain solid options for long-term investors.

Read more »

Traffic jam with rows of slow cars
Energy Stocks

The Fabulous March TFSA Stock With a 4.9% Monthly Payout

Given its solid growth outlook, reasonable valuation, and attractive yield, Whitecap appears to be a compelling addition to your TFSA…

Read more »

middle-aged couple work together on laptop
Dividend Stocks

Canadians: Here’s the TFSA Amount You Need to Retire, Plus 3 Stocks to Get There

You'll want to use a sustainable withdrawal rate to figure out your goal.

Read more »

a man celebrates his good fortune with a disco ball and confetti
Energy Stocks

Prediction: These 3 Stocks Will Crush the Market in 2026

These three Canadian stocks are showing all the right signs to crush the market in 2026.

Read more »

electrical cord plugs into wall socket for more energy
Energy Stocks

What to Know About Canadian Utility Stocks in 2026

Fortis is Canada's top utility stock, with a 52-year track record of rising dividends as it benefits from strong electricity…

Read more »

woman holding steering wheel is nervous about the future
Dividend Stocks

4 Canadian Stocks to Own When Markets Get Nervous

When investors flee risk, the market usually rewards businesses that enjoy steady demand.

Read more »