Got $20,000? Here Are the Canadian Stocks I’d Buy

Got $20,000 to build an investment portfolio? Here are four Canadian stocks that look like great buys for long-term compounding.

| More on:
Key Points
  • Four picks: TFII, VHI, CIGI, MDA — freight, healthcare software, real‑estate services, and space/defence.
  • Quick traits: TFII — 700% 10‑yr gain, rising FCF; VHI — 22% 5‑yr CAGR, down 36%; CIGI — 70% recurring revenue, ~13x fwd; MDA — volatile, strong space/defence exposure.
  • Use: buy‑and‑hold for compounding — TFII/CIGI for stability, VHI/MDA for growth; add on pullbacks.

$20,000 can go a long way when you invest it wisely in Canadian stocks. $20,000 invested at a 10% compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) for 10 years could be worth as much as $52,000. That same amount at that same rate for 20 years would be worth as much as $134,000!

Hopefully you can find a diversified mix of stocks that can deliver these types of returns for a decade or two. If I was thinking about four Canadian stocks that could do that, here are some that look attractive today.

arrows hit bullseye on target

Source: Getty Images

A top Canadian transport stock

TFI International (TSX: TFII) has been a long-term compounder for shareholders. This Canadian stock is up 700% in the past 10 years for a 24% CAGR in that time.

TFI has built a freight and transport empire across Canada and the United States. The company has a focus on efficiency and cost management. This has maintained strong cash flows, even through some tough freight and economic environments.

Last quarter, it generated $202 million of free cash flow, which was an 11% increase over the prior year. TFI is starting to see an industry recovery, which means results could start to improve sequentially.  As a result, now is a good time to add to the stock.

A top software stock

VitalHub (TSX: VHI) has perhaps had a shorter history of compounding. Over the past five years, this Canadian stock has compounded by a 22% CAGR. Given it is small-cap stock, it has potential for considerable returns ahead.

VitalHub provides essential care management and patient engagement software to the healthcare industry. Its focus is largely on public markets (like Canada, Australia, and the U.K.) where it has found niche in-roads to provide services.

In the past five years, it has grown revenues by a 34% CAGR and free cash flow by an 18.8% CAGR. It has consolidated several smaller software providers to diversify its product mix and geographic exposure.

This Canadian stock is down 36% in the past year due to concerns around AI disruption. The dip presents a reasonably attractive entry point for a stock that is delivering strong organic and acquisition growth.

A top services stock

Colliers International Group (TSX: CIGI) is another long-term compounder trading on the cheap. This Canadian stock has a 10-year history compounding by 10% CAGR.

Colliers has transformed in the past five years. It has become a diversified real estate services platform. While capital markets (property sales and leasing) remain an important part its business, it is growing player in engineering/project management and investment management.

Now, over 70% of its income is recurring. It has global scale, which amply diversifies its offering mix. For a company aiming to grow by 15% per annum, it remains fairly cheap at only 13 times forward earnings.

A top Canadian space stock

MDA Space (TSX: MDA) is another stock I am eyeing for an addition right now. This Canadian stock has compounded by 21% CAGR over the past five years.

Now it has been a rocky ride. This stock is volatile. However, its trajectory is up and to the right. MDA is global leader in space technologies. It has leading platform to develop and construct state-of-the-art satellites.

It also is winning its share of defence, geo-intelligence, and robotics contracts. We are only in the early innings of Canada’s defence spending splurge, so there are likely more contracts to come. Likewise, space expansion is only starting. This just means MDA continues to have huge opportunities in the long term.

For exposure to a cool theme at a reasonable price, MDA is an interesting stock to buy today.

Fool contributor Robin Brown has positions in Colliers International Group, MDA Space, TFI International, and Vitalhub. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Colliers International Group and Vitalhub. The Motley Fool recommends MDA Space and TFI International. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

More on Stocks for Beginners

A woman shops in a grocery store while pushing a stroller with a child
Dividend Stocks

Is This TSX Dividend Yield Too Good to Be True? I Checked the Numbers

Slate Grocery REIT offers a 7.5% TSX dividend yield, but investors should look at its payout, tenants, debt, and growth…

Read more »

coins jump into piggy bank
Stocks for Beginners

The Big 6 Reported Earnings: Here’s My Favourite Bank Stock to Buy Now

All six Canadian banks beat earnings estimates, but their stocks are now priced as if investors expect that to keep…

Read more »

alcohol
Dividend Stocks

Is Your TFSA Big Enough to Retire Comfortably?

A six-figure TFSA can look huge until it has to fund decades of real-life retirement spending.

Read more »

Data Center Engineer Using Laptop Computer crypto mining
Energy Stocks

Why This 4.3% Dividend Stock Is Still a Forever Buy for Me

Waiting for the perfect correction can cost more than it saves, especially when a dividend stock keeps compounding without you.

Read more »

Nurse uses stethoscope to listen to a girl's heartbeat
Dividend Stocks

Want Monthly Income? Here’s a 7% Dividend Stock to Consider

Monthly dividends feel great, but the real test is whether the business generates enough cash to keep paying them.

Read more »

man in bowtie poses with abacus
Dividend Stocks

How Does Your TFSA Compare to the $109,000 Milestone?

To build your TFSA, contribute regularly, invest for the long term, and give compounding time to work.

Read more »

Person holding a smartphone with a stock chart on screen
Dividend Stocks

If You Own BCE for Income, You Need to Compare it With This Dividend Rival

A big dividend yield can feel comforting, but it can vanish fast if cash flow and debt don’t cooperate.

Read more »

Nuclear power station cooling tower
Energy Stocks

The Next Nuclear Boom Is Already Underway: These TSX Stocks Could Lead It

AI is pushing data centre power demand so fast that nuclear energy and Canada’s nuclear supply chain are back in…

Read more »