Some stocks belong in the “never sell” pile. Not because they never fall or offer perfect growth, but because they keep serving a purpose through market cycles, rate swings, recessions, commodity scares, and all the noise that makes investors second-guess good decisions.
Enbridge (TSX:ENB) fits that role for many investors. If I had to pick one Canadian dividend giant to buy and tuck away for the long haul, this would be it.

Source: Getty Images
ENB
Enbridge stock moves energy across North America. Its network includes liquids pipelines, natural gas pipelines, gas utilities, and renewable power assets. The company connects producers, refiners, utilities, exporters, and households.
That gives the business a different feel from a traditional energy stock. Enbridge stock still earns most of its money from long-term contracts, regulated assets, or fee-based systems. So, while the stock can move with energy headlines, the business has more stability than many investors expect from the sector.
The dividend sits at the centre of the appeal. Enbridge stock currently pays $0.97 per share each quarter, or $3.88 annually, yielding just over 5% at writing. Even better, the company raised its dividend for 2026, marking 31 consecutive years of annual increases. That kind of record doesn’t happen by accident. It takes scale, discipline, and cash flow that can handle rough patches.
Into earnings
The latest results back up the case. In the first quarter of 2026, Enbridge stock reported adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) of $5.81 billion and adjusted earnings of $2.1 billion, or $0.98 per share. Management also reaffirmed its full-year guidance and increased its secured backlog to $40 billion. That backlog gives investors a useful look at future growth, not just today’s payout.
The company expects 2026 adjusted EBITDA of $20.2 billion to $20.8 billion and distributable cash flow per share of $5.70 to $6.10. Compared with the annual dividend of $3.88, that leaves room for the payout while still funding projects and managing debt. For income investors, that balance matters more than chasing a dividend yield that looks high but rests on shaky ground.
Considerations
There are a few reasons Enbridge stock still has high demand even moving forward. Artificial intelligence (AI) and data centres keep grabbing headlines, but those facilities need energy around the clock. Enbridge stock has exposure to natural gas infrastructure and utilities, which could benefit as North America builds more power capacity. The company also completed the Dominion utility acquisitions, adding scale in U.S. gas distribution. That gives Enbridge stock more regulated cash flow and another way to grow beyond traditional pipelines.
That said, the company carries a lot of debt, and higher interest rates can raise financing costs. Pipeline projects can face regulatory delays and public opposition. Energy policy can shift. Investors also need to watch whether growth spending creates enough return to justify the capital.
But those risks look manageable for a long-term investor who understands what they own. Enbridge stock isn’t trying to become a fast-growth tech stock. It’s trying to keep expanding critical energy infrastructure, generate reliable cash flow, and send a large portion of that cash back to shareholders. That’s exactly why I’d buy it and hold on.
Bottom line
Enbridge stock can do a lot of work inside a portfolio. Reinvest the dividends, and the share count can build year after year. Take the cash later, and it can help fund retirement income. Either way, investors get paid while they wait, even while starting at $7,000.
| COMPANY | RECENT PRICE | NUMBER OF SHARES | ANNUAL DIVIDEND | ANNUAL TOTAL PAYOUT | FREQUENCY | TOTAL INVESTMENT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENB | $76.21 | 91 | $3.88 | $353.08 | Quarterly | $6,935.11 |
For me, that’s the kind of dividend giant worth owning through the noise — not for a quick trade, but for years.