Blue-chip stocks are considered a safe place to invest in times of market volatility. They tend to have large market capitalizations, stable business models, well-known brands, growing dividends, and decades of operational history.
Blue-chip stocks may not provide the highest possibility of returns. Yet, if you want steady capital growth and often dividend income, they are an excellent bet. If you are looking for some solid blue-chip stocks, here are three to contemplate adding today.
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Canadian Pacific: This blue-chip stock has a 145-year operating history
Canadian Pacific Kansas City (TSX: CP) is one of Canada’s longest-running companies. It has been in operation since 1881. CPKC has a market cap of $97.5 billion.
Today, CPKC operates the only rail network that extends across Canada, the United States, and Mexico. This extended network has provided CPKC ample growth opportunities. Even in the face of tariffs and a weak freight environment, CPKC has delivered market-leading results.
It has been generating strong free cash flows, which it has put into reducing debt from its Kansas City Southern acquisition. CPKC bought back around 4% of its shares outstanding and raised its dividend by 20%.
It has a target to grow earnings per share by a low double-digit rate. If it can hit its guidance in 2026 (it missed in 2025), there could be more upside for the stock. CP stock yields 0.84% today.
Royal Bank: A top Canadian bank stock
Royal Bank of Canada (TSX: RY) has a 160-year history in Canada. It went from being a small maritime bank to Canada’s largest bank (and largest stock as well). It has a market cap of $306 billion. Royal is ranked as one of the best banks in the world.
Royal has leading commercial and retail franchises in Canada. It also holds strong positions in capital markets and wealth. If Canada is heading towards a recession due to all the geopolitical tension, Royal is the bank to keep holding. It has a strong balance sheet, a leading equity ratio, and an attractive return on equity ratio of 17.6%.
Royal Bank has raised its dividend per share by a 7.5% compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) over the past 10 years. This blue-chip stock yields 3% today.
Loblaws: An essential goods blue-chip stock
A final blue-chip stock to hold right now is Loblaw Companies (TSX: L). It has been in business for over 100 years in Canada. Today, it has a market cap of $74 billion.
It operates some of the largest grocery and pharmacy brands in Canada. This is the perfect stock to hold when the world feels shaky. Regardless of the economy, people need food, daily essentials, and medications.
Loblaw caters to Canadian consumers across the economic spectrum. Its massive scale enables it to push suppliers to offer better pricing. Likewise, it has a strong distribution network that contributes to industry-leading margins. A very effective customer loyalty plan keeps customers coming back regularly.
This has become a leading safe-haven stock. Despite substantial market volatility in the past five years, it has delivered a 268% return. L stock has raised its annual dividend for 20 consecutive years. It has a 0.89% dividend yield today. While L isn’t cheap today, it has been a solid blue-chip stock to hold over the years.
