The Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) ranks high in terms of flexibility and tax efficiency. Account holders, even without proof of income, can create serious wealth over time. However, for those seeking to address immediate financial needs such as boosting their monthly budget, the TFSA can act as a passive-income engine.

The TFSA is most effective when you hold income-producing assets that can generate tax-free monthly income streams. The payouts become a habitual financial reward if you continue utilizing your available contribution room. Withdrawals are tax-free, too, when you collect dividend earnings.

The $250/month blueprint

A duo that offers a high-yield, purely monthly cash flow is Cardinal Energy (TSX:CJ) and SmartCentres REIT (TSX:SRU.UN). Given the 6.54% average dividend yield, you’d need $45,872 capital, split between the energy stock and the real estate investment trust (REIT), to produce $250 in tax-free monthly income outright.

If upfront capital isn’t possible, the timeline to reach the goal depends on your contributions and the reinvestment of all dividends. Assuming a yearly contribution of $7,000 ($3,500 per asset) or the 2026 TFSA maximum annual limit, it would take 5.5 years to reach the point where you can collect $250/month perpetually. Your total TFSA balance after six years is $48,080 (only a $4,200 contribution in year six).

Cash flow engine

Cardinal Energy benefits from rising oil prices and global supply disruptions in 2026. Performance-wise, the small-cap stock is up 27% year to date. At $10.84 per share, the dividend yield is 6.64%. Currently, the $1.88 billion Canadian oil and natural gas company generates more than enough cash flow to cover monthly dividends.

The company expects crude oil prices to remain volatile amid geopolitical uncertainty in the Middle East, but will maintain the $160 million capital budget in 2026. If crude oil prices are robust than the US$60 per barrel forecast, Cardinal Energy will use the incremental free cash flow to increase its conventional asset expenditures.

Cardinal Energy commits to an attractive and sustainable return of capital through dividends. Its low-decline conventional assets and growing pipeline of future thermal prospects provide a compelling growth outlook. Moreover, the second major steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) project is scheduled to come online in the second half of 2027.

The board of directors has approved the reinstatement of the monthly dividend in June 2022. CJ hasn’t missed a monthly payout since.

Defensive anchor

SmartCentres complements a cash flow engine like Cardinal Energy. The $4.9 billion fully integrated REIT owns and operates 198 properties across Canada. American retail giant Walmart, the anchor tenant in 114 shopping centres, accounts for 22.8% of total revenue. The in-place and committed occupancy rate at the close of the fourth quarter of 2025 is 98.6%.    

Shopping centres and retail properties, along with apartments and offices, deliver recurring income. Development income comes from townhouses and condominiums. Space for logistics, digital signage, and electric vehicle charging are among the value-added services.

As of April 17, 2026, SRU.UN outperforms the TSX year to date, up 13.4% versus 8.3%. At $28.71 per share, the REIT pays a juicy 6.44% dividend.

Proven usefulness

The usefulness of the TFSA includes building a tax-exempt second salary for Canadians in need of additional income. Cardinal Energy and SmartCentres form a formidable two-stock income portfolio that can help TFSA users earn perpetual monthly income.

The post How to Make $250 Per Month Tax-Free From Your TFSA appeared first on The Motley Fool Canada.

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Fool contributor Christopher Liew has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends SmartCentres Real Estate Investment Trust and Walmart. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

The Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) is a versatile wealth-building tool available to Canadians. However, published reports show the TFSA is significantly underutilized. Not all users fully realize the account’s true power.

The TFSA is not a cash vault. You miss out on tax-free growth if you simply store cash. Instead, you should hold income-producing assets, notably dividend stocks, for higher earning potential. Also, every dollar you withdraw is entirely tax-free.

If I had $10,000 available contribution room to work with in a TFSA right now, I’d implement a dual strategy of income and growth. Dividends provide immediate liquidity, while capital appreciation raises my TFSA’s value.

Classic stability

Toronto Dominion Bank (TSX:TD) is my top-of-mind source of pension-like passive income. Canada’s second-largest bank has a 169-year dividend track record. At $144.17 per share, the dividend yield is 3%. Given the low 34.3% payout ratio, there’s ample room for dividend growth.

The $240.6 billion bank absorbed the hefty US$3 billion fine imposed by U.S. regulators two years ago in relation to an Anti-Money Laundering (AML) investigation. TD is currently prioritizing remediation work and addressing regulatory concerns to strengthen its money laundering controls.

Major acquisition plans in the U.S. are on hold until proper AML controls are in place. In October 2024, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) imposed a $434 billion asset cap on TD’s U.S. retail banking operations. The remediation timeline is until 2027. Nonetheless, TD delivered strong financial results in Q1 fiscal 2026.

In the three months ending January 31, 2026, net income increased 45% to $4 billion versus Q1 fiscal 2025. Also, during the quarter, adjusted net earnings reached a record $4.2 billion. There was sustained business momentum across the border as the income of the U.S. banking segment rose 627% year-over-year to $1 billion.

Performance-wise, TD is performing remarkably well. At its current share price, the year-to-date gain is 13.3%, while the trailing one-year price return is nearly plus-78%. The Big Bank stock remains a stable foundation in a TFSA portfolio.

Explosive growth

I’d pair 5N Plus (TSX:VNP) with TD in my $10,000 TFSA portfolio. Based on the 2025 TSX30 ranking, VNP placed 7th among the 30 top-performing Canadian stocks. At $33.57 per share, the total three-year return is plus-893%. Had you invested $5,000 in April 2023, your money would be worth $49,659.76 today.

The $3 billion company produces and develops specialty semiconductors and performance materials using proprietary technologies. Clients in key industries such as industrial, medical imaging, pharmaceutical, renewable energy, security, and space use the products.

Full-year 2025 was a record-setting year for 5N Plus. Net earnings climbed 244% to $50.6 compared to full-year 2024. As of year-end 2025, backlog reached $394.9 million, representing 353 days of annualized revenue. The strong demand in Specialty semiconductors is the catalyst for growth in 2026.

Sustaining self-engine

TD and 5N Plus form a sustaining self-engine. I get the best of both worlds: steady income streams and long-term wealth-building. Note that I mentioned $10,000 as the available contribution room. However, if you’re just starting, you split $7,000 in 2026 and add $1,500 in each stock in 2027. TFSA investors must not exceed the annual limit.

The post How I’d Put $10,000 to Work in a TFSA Right Now appeared first on The Motley Fool Canada.

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Fool contributor Christopher Liew 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.

The S&P/TSX Composite Index is once again demonstrating resilience, similar to its performance during the tariff chaos in 2025. Canadian domestic stocks have collectively endured heightened global uncertainty amid the U.S.-Iran war. With recovery appearing inevitable as the ceasefire holds, buy signals are flashing across the broad market.

Among the top stocks you can double up on right now are Canadian Natural Resources Limited (TSX:CNQ), Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (TSX:CM), and Bird Construction (TSX:BDT).

Energy hedge

Canadian Natural Resources is a hedge against a tight oil market. The $132.5 billion senior crude oil and natural gas producer reported record production in 2025 and raised production guidance in 2026. Performance-wise, the large-cap stock is up 27.7% year-to-date. The current share price is $58.81, while the dividend yield is 4.3%. 

According to its President, Scott Stauth, 2025 was the best operational year in CNQ’s long history. In addition to achieving several production records, full-year net earnings climbed 77% to $10.8 billion compared to 2024. The total proved reserve life index at year-end is a significant 31 years, supported by long-life, low-decline assets. Moreover, the low maintenance capital requirement is a competitive advantage.

The Board approved a 6.4% increase to the quarterly dividend in March 2026, extending CNQ’s dividend growth streak to 26 years. Expect the company to channel windfall profits from the high price environment into shareholder returns via dividends and share buybacks.

Top-performing Big Bank

CIBC leads the banking sector thus far in 2026. The Big Bank stock (+21%) also outperforms the financials sector (+7%) and the TSX (+8.3%) year-to-date. At $149.43 per share, the dividend offer is 2.9%. For income-seekers, dividend safety is never in question, given the 157-year track record of uninterrupted payments.

CM is currently trading at record highs, buoyed by the aggressive expansion into U.S. commercial banking. In Q1 fiscal 2026 (three months ended January 31, 2026), net income rose 43% to $3.1 billion versus Q1 fiscal 2025. Net income of the U.S. Commercial Banking and Wealth Management segment increased 19% year-over-year to $294 million.

The Canada-centric bank is now aiming to scale commercial lending and cash-management relationships across the border. CIBC will focus on high-growth U.S. markets in the South and Midwest. For 2026, the bank targets a 25% increase in U.S. earnings.     

Nation building

Bird Construction is crushing the market. Current investors are enjoying a 55.3% year-to-date gain and collecting monthly dividends. BDT trades at $44 per share and pays a decent 1.9% dividend. The $2.4 billion construction company fully supports the “Strong Canada” agenda in 2026 and beyond.

Its President and CEO, Teri McKibbon, said, “Bird remains strongly positioned for Canada’s long‑duration nation‑building investment cycle.” Bird will take on large‑scale capital investment energy projects, as well as infrastructure projects in defence, healthcare, trade, and transportation.

The more than $10 billion combined backlog at year-end 2025 already provides multi-year revenue visibility. Management expects steady top-line growth from federal and provincial infrastructure programs. Federal funding commitment across major projects exceeds $180 billion through 2027.

Strong “double up” cases

The outperformance of CNQ, CM, and BDT notwithstanding the heightened volatility strengthens the “double up” cases for the three top stocks. All three are primed for significant growth.

The post Top Stocks to Double Up on Right Now appeared first on The Motley Fool Canada.

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Fool contributor Christopher Liew has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Canadian Natural Resources. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

The only true constant about the stock market is the price movement. Because stocks are also inherently volatile, investors’ psychology revolves around fear and greed. Losing is not an option; the priority is to maximize gains or capital growth, whether in a bull or a bear market. But how can you win in either cycle?

Investors must adopt an all-weather strategy that prioritizes durable businesses that can withstand any economic climate. Moreover, committing to staying in the market for the long haul can counter price fluctuations, especially when the market is under pressure.

For long-term Canadian investors hoping to build a substantial nest egg or serious wealth, three stocks are worth looking into. You can shun market noise, reduce stress, and even hold them forever.

Sleep-at-night stability

Royal Bank of Canada (TSX:RY), Canada’s largest bank, is a no-brainer choice if you want sleep-at-night stability. This $339.8 billion financial institution has been TSX’s largest company by market cap for the vast majority of the last several decades.

Another safety aspect is the dividend track record. RBC has been paying dividends for 156 years and counting. The total return in the last 20 years is 1,007%, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.77%. If you invest today, the share price is $244.23, while the dividend yield is 2.69%.

In the first quarter (Q1) of fiscal 2026 (three months ending January 31, 2026), net income increased 13% year over year to $5.8 billion. Dave McKay, president and CEO of RBC, cites the diversified business model and contributions by the core global markets for the record quarterly profit. No investment is without risk, but RBC is well-equipped to absorb market shocks.

Resilient infrastructure

Enbridge (TSX:ENB) stands out for its resilient infrastructure and dividend growth streak. This $157.3 billion company owns a diversified portfolio of energy infrastructure assets, including a vast pipeline network. The 3% quarterly dividend increase announced in December 2025 marked 31 consecutive years of dividend increases. At $72.09 per share, current investors enjoy an 11.2% year-to-date gain and feast on the hefty 5.38% dividend.

The energy titan derives around 98% of its earnings from long-term, regulated contracts. Enbridge’s four core franchises are: liquids pipelines, natural gas pipelines, gas utilities & storage, and renewable energy. Management sees up to $20 billion of opportunities within the next 24 months and $50 billion through 2030.

Ultimate defensive stock

Fortis (TSX:FTS) earned dividend knight status for its prestigious record of 52 consecutive years of dividend hikes. The $39.7 billion electric and gas utility company serves customers in Canada, the U.S., and the Caribbean. Furthermore, the regulated utility business is recession-free. FTS trades at $77.93 per share and pays a 3.25% dividend.    

Many income investors describe Fortis as the ultimate defensive stock. In addition to preserving capital, quarterly payouts are growing every year. The good news for investors is the extension of its annual dividend-growth guidance of 4% to 6% through 2030.

Preserve capital, build wealth

Time is the friend of long-term Canadian investors, while RBC, Enbridge, and Fortis are hold-forever assets. You can anchor your portfolio on them to preserve capital and build serious wealth.

The post 3 Stocks Worth a Serious Look for Long-Term Canadian Investors appeared first on The Motley Fool Canada.

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Fool contributor Christopher Liew has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Enbridge and Fortis. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Tax-free growth is the salient feature of the Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA). There is no income requirement to open an account, yet every user can create a personal cash flow machine. There’s even a simple way for Canadians to earn $500 a month tax-free from a TFSA.

The TFSA has limitations, including an annual contribution limit; for 2026, the maximum is $7,000. Still, generating a $6,000 annual income stream is achievable with a methodical approach that harnesses the power of compounding.

However, it will take several tranches of the annual contribution limits to accumulate enough shares to sustain the desired payout. You will also count years toward reaching $500 per month, but the effort is well worth the time.  

Simple way options

The $500 monthly income depends largely on the dividend yield and the amount of investment. Ideally, an average portfolio yield of 5.5%, 6.5%, and 7.5% requires a capital outlay of $109,090, $92,307, and $80,000, respectively. You can consider a multi-stock portfolio and mixed industries to mitigate the risk.  

Peyto Exploration & Development (TSX:PEY) and Slate Grocery REIT (TSX:SGR.UN) are strong candidates if you seek a monthly income machine. Since both stocks pay monthly dividends, you can reinvest them 12 times a year to accelerate the compounding of principal.

Assuming the average dividend yield of 6.3% remains constant, you would need 1,935 shares of PEY and 2,891 shares of SGR.UN over time to generate $500 monthly. At their current share prices, the combined total investment is $95,012. The timeline is approximately 11 years with a steady contribution of $7,000 per year.

Energy upside

Peyto operates in Alberta’s Deep Basin, producing unconventional natural gas. The $5 billion energy company is highly profitable, with only 2020 as a losing year in the last 26 years. In 2025, earnings rose 49% year-over-year to $418.6 million. It was the first time that earnings surpassed $400 million in a year. PEY trades at $24.55 per share and pays a 5.4% dividend.

Peyto commits to maximize the profit from every dollar of shareholder capital deployed and to return the profits to shareholders as dividends. According to management, the low-cost structure helps bring stability to earnings. Also, by aligning the recording of financial hedges with the physical product sales, Peyto’s earnings volatility is reduced.

Long-term stability

Slate Grocery is a defensive holding. The $2 billion real estate investment trust (REIT) owns and operates grocery-anchored real estate in 23 U.S. states with growing markets. Out of the 115 total properties, 96% are grocery-anchored. The portfolio’s weighted average lease term (WALT) is 4.3 years. At $16.43 per share, the dividend offer is 7.3%.

In 2025, rental revenue and net income increased 2% and 6% year-over-year to US$213.4 million and US$53.5 million, respectively. Its CEO, Blair Welch, believes that strong fundamentals, combined with the resilience of consumer spending on food and essential goods, provide long-term stability to Slate’s portfolio of grocery-anchored real estate.  

Make it happen

The TFSA makes it possible to achieve a financial pipe dream like earning $500 every month. Steady yearly contributions, a longer time horizon, and a pair of resilient monthly dividend payers are all you need to make it happen.

The post A Simple Way for Canadians to Earn $500 a Month Tax-Free From a TFSA appeared first on The Motley Fool Canada.

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Fool contributor Christopher Liew has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Slate Grocery REIT. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

The TSX continues to display powerful resilience amid heightened volatility. As of mid-April 2026, the index has climbed 7.7% year-to-date, with eight of 11 primary sectors now in positive territory. Buying opportunities are plenty, too, as many underperforming but high-quality stocks have clear paths to rise.

TELUS (TSX:T) and Propel Holdings (TSX:PRL) belong in the underperforming bunch, but both stand out as the best TSX stocks to buy before the next leg of the market recovery gets underway.

New dividend policy

TELUS has yet to fully recover from its 2024 slump. At $16.90 per share, the year-to-date loss is 4.4% following a nearly 9% slide in the last three months. The 9.97% dividend yield offsets the weakness, though some investors fear a dividend cut. On December 3, 2025, Canada’s second-largest telecommunications company announced a pause to its dividend-growth program, not a dividend cut.

The $26.4 billion will likewise step down its 2% Discounted Dividend-Reinvestment Plan (DDRIP) until the discount reaches zero in 2028. Net debt reduction is also part of the plan. The full-year 2025 financial results showed a 1% and 12% year-over-year increase in operating revenue and net income, respectively.

Notably, free cash flow (FCF) rose 11% to $2.2 billion compared to 2024. Its president and CEO, Darren Entwistle, said, “TELUS is advancing its capital allocation strategy, supported by strong business fundamentals and significant free cash flow generation.”

Entwistle expressed confidence that the strong financial momentum will enable TELUS to deliver FCF growth of at least 10% compounded annual growth rate through 2028. The telco reduced its leverage ratio to 3.4 times in 2025 and aims to reduce it further to three times by 2027.

Many believe that a dividend cut will follow the pause in semi-annual dividend increases. It could be a looming reality that significantly reduces capital costs and provides financial flexibility. Still, management will maintain its current quarterly dividend while it works to strengthen the balance sheet. Dividend growth will resume once it meets leverage targets.

TSX30 winner

Propel Holdings, an $854.2 million financial technology company, extends credit to underserved customers through its AI-powered online lending platform. The financial stock placed 6th in the 2025 TSX30 List, the flagship program for TSX’s 30 top-performing stocks. The ranking is based on the dividend-adjusted share price performance over a three-year period. It was +560% for PRL.

The current share price of $21.84 represents an 11.5% year-to-date loss. However, if you invest today, you can feast on the 3.71% dividend (38% payout ratio). In 2025, revenue and net income increased 31% and 28%, respectively, to US$589.8 million and US$59.5 million.

However, in Q4 2025, net income fell 49% to US$5.9 million versus Q4 2024, while provision for credit losses (PCLs) rose to 56% of revenues from 48% a year ago. Both factors caused the price decline.

The growth prospect stems from the official launch of FreshLine, an unsecured personal line-of-credit product, in March 2026. In addition, funding partners have committed up to US$150 million to fund a nationwide U.S. rollout. Propel Holdings projects $1.1 billion in revenue and $163.9 million in earnings by 2028.

Earn in two ways

Secure your positions in TELUS and Propel Holdings now before the strong rebound. Once the market stabilizes, prospective investors will have a dual path to profitability: price appreciation and dividends.

The post The 2 Best TSX Stocks to Buy Before They Recover appeared first on The Motley Fool Canada.

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Fool contributor Christopher Liew has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Propel. The Motley Fool recommends TELUS. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

The defensive nature of utilities is on full display against massive headwinds, primarily caused by geopolitical tensions. Thus far in 2026, the sector is TSX’s third-best performer after energy and basic materials. Surprisingly, industry heavyweights such as Canadian Utilities and Fortis are not leading the surge.

In the current environment, Northland Power (TSX:NPI) and Brookfield Renewable Partners (TSX:BEP.UN) are significantly outperforming the broad market (+6.25%) with staggering year-to-date gains of 35.33% and 30.76%, respectively. Both utility stocks could be headed for a strong 2026, offering safety and upside to income-focused investors.

Clear direction

Power producer Northland Power owns and operates a diversified portfolio of energy infrastructure assets in Canada, Europe, and across Asia. The assets of this $6.3 billion company include offshore and onshore wind, solar, natural gas and battery energy storage. Since the business is anchored by 95% long-term contracted cash flows, NPI can endure a volatile market.

At $23.95 per share, the dividend yield is 3.01%. Management announced a 40% dividend cut in November 2025 to protect the balance sheet. According to its CEO, Christine Healy, the strategic decision aims to free internal funding for projects that will define clean energy production in the next decade.

In Q4 2025, revenue from energy sales rose 26% year over year to $723 million, while net income climbed 93% to $290 million. The financial results restored investors’ confidence. Healy said NPI has a clear direction moving forward. She expects the five-year strategic plan to double the current operating capacity of 3.5 gigawatts (GW) to seven GW by 2030.

Regarding dividend consistency, NPI hasn’t missed a quarterly payment since 2018. More importantly, the cut brought dividends to a sustainable level. The funds freed by the dividend reduction will support the Hai Long flagship offshore wind project in the Taiwan Strait and in the Baltic Sea off Poland.

Expanded renewable footprint

Brookfield Renewable Partners has a diversified global reach and boasts a strong renewable power platform across five continents. The $14.7 billion renewable power company targets total returns of 12% to 15%, including 5% to 9% annual distribution growth. If you invest today, BEP.UN trades at 47.91 per share and pays a lucrative 4.76% dividend (quarterly payout).

According to management, the diversified operating portfolio generates stable, inflation-linked cash flows. Brookfield Renewable commits to allocating 70% of funds flow from operations (FFO) to distribution payout. Capital deployment to advance high-value projects over the next five years could reach up to $10 billion.

The several large-scale transactions in 2025 expanded its global renewables footprint. Its CEO, Connor Teskey, also noted the robust energy demand growth following multi-decade trends of reindustrialization and electrification, and now the ongoing data centre development: “We believe we are exceptionally well-positioned to capture this significant opportunity and deliver outsized earnings growth in the years to come.”

Strong buys

Expect investors’ interest in power producers in the utilities sector to further heighten if geopolitical tensions persist. Northland Power and Brookfield Renewable Partners are performance engines in 2026, driven by renewable infrastructure. Both utility stocks are strong buys given their lower risk profiles and income-generating potential.

The post 2 Canadian Utility Stocks That Could Be Headed for a Strong 2026 appeared first on The Motley Fool Canada.

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Fool contributor Christopher Liew has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Brookfield Renewable Partners and Fortis. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

The vast majority of TSX dividend stocks distribute payments quarterly. However, a select few, including real estate investment trusts (REITs), break from the standard practice. Instead, they pay monthly, providing income investors with the consistent cash flow to help cover recurring expenses.

One standout among these monthly payers is Freehold Royalties (TSX:FRU) in the energy sector. The beauty of its payout frequency is that you can aim for a specific dollar amount each month. FRU currently trades at $16.91 per share and pays a generous 6.4% dividend.

If the goal is to earn $500 each month, the fastest way to hit it is to purchase 5,571 shares or invest $94,205.60. Fortunately, the massive capital outlay isn’t the only approach for regular investors. The power of compounding, through consistent accumulation of shares and dividend reinvestment, will eventually help reach the goal.    

Build your monthly cheque

Instead of a large sum upfront, use the staircase approach. It means you start with how much money you have. Assuming the starting point is $7,000 or the 2026 Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) annual contribution limit. The amount can buy approximately 414 shares.

The monthly dividend is $37.16, which is enough to buy 2.2 new shares every month (dividend reinvestment). If you can frontload the TFSA annual contribution limit on day one of each year, you get an extra 11 months of compounding growth every single year. It assumes the price and yield remain constant.

The timeline to reach $500 during the acceleration phase is 9 years and 1 month, or roughly 109 months. Your total out-of-pocket contribution is less than $94,205. More than $24,000 of it is free capital derived from dividends paid along the way. By the time you reach your target, you’ll have a nearly $95,000 asset working for you for the long term.

Pure-play royalty company    

Freehold Royalties offers exposure to Canada’s heavyweight energy sector. The $2.8 billion company owns land and collects royalties from 380 industry operators. As a pure-play royalty company, the business is low-risk, with “no” capital, operating, or abandonment costs.

The land portfolio in North America comprises crude and natural gas assets in premier basins. In 2025, royalty and other revenue increased 1.3% to $313.5 million compared with 2024, along with a 9% year-over-year increase in production to average 16,294 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boe/d). However, net income declined 38.6% to $91.8 million from a year ago.

Performance-wise, FRU is up 13% year to date. Freehold is generally sensitive to commodity prices as its revenues are directly linked to oil and natural gas prices. The spike in oil prices in 2026 will drive royalties higher. A low-price environment can threaten monthly payouts.

I checked the dividend track record and found out that FRU hasn’t missed a monthly dividend payment since 1999. Also, management targets a 60% long-term payout ratio.

Hit your income goal

Building a $500 monthly income stream is achievable through the right stock and disciplined strategy. Dividend reinvestment replaces the need for massive upfront capital. By accumulating shares using the staircase approach, you’ll hit your income goal in a relatively shorter period.

This table illustrates the “staircase approach” in action. Notice how the growth in monthly income accelerates in the later years as your total share count begins to do more heavy lifting than your annual contributions.

The post How to Earn $500 a Month From Freehold Royalties Stock appeared first on The Motley Fool Canada.

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Fool contributor Christopher Liew has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Freehold Royalties. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Geopolitical instability brought by the current conflict in the Middle East continues to weigh on global stock markets. Unless a lasting settlement comes soon, market volatility will remain elevated. Fortunately, the TSX has shown resilience, especially within the energy and basic materials sectors. If you have $2,000 in free cash, you can ignore the noise and deploy it into a pair of winning investments.

Whitecap Resources (TSX:WCP) and Almonty Industries (TSX:AII) have emerged as prime buy-now Canadian stocks following their standout performances thus far in 2026. The former, an energy stock, provides a solid monthly dividend stream. The latter, a metals and mining stock, is riding on explosive momentum due to its accelerating growth prospects.

Income play

Energy is a heavyweight sector in Canada’s stock market. Rising oil prices and supply shocks are driving it higher. Whitecap Resources benefits from these tailwinds. At $14.29 per share, WCP is up nearly 28% year-to-date, keeping pace with the energy sector’s plus-32%. Moreover, the juicy 5.1% dividend yield is a powerful kicker to the capital gains.

Prior to the U.S.-Israel-Iran war, the $17.4 billion oil and natural gas company exited 2025 with strong momentum. Whitecap Resources also became Canada’s seventh-largest oil and natural gas producer and fifth-largest natural gas producer after completing the acquisition of Veren Inc. in March 2025. A credit upgrade followed due to the increased business scale and improved cash profile.

The transformative merger created a much larger platform that is nearly on par with industry giants. Full year 2025 revenue and net income increased 66% and 21% year-over-year to $5.5 billion and $984.6 million, respectively. Management said the full-year production of 307,245 barrels of oil equivalent per day exceeded guidance and is a new record.

No one knows how long the conflict and high-price environment will last. Grant Fagerheim, Whitecap’s CEO, said, “This is a massive supply disruption that’s affecting the entire world.” However, despite the spike in oil prices, the company will maintain its $2 billion capital spending plan for 2026. Whitecap will use increased cash flow to strengthen its balance sheet. The capital return strategy includes share buybacks.

Momentum play

Almonty Industries specializes in tungsten mining and exploration. Major economies consider tungsten a critical mineral, indispensable for modern defence and advanced technologies. For the $8.5 billion mining company, the steel-gray metal is conflict-free globally, although China dominates the tungsten market.

The mining stock rose to prominence in 2025 when it was recognized as among the TSX’s 30 top-performing growth stocks (TSX30). AII ranked 10th, with its plus-427% dividend-adjusted share price performance over a three-year period. At $28.84 per share, the trailing one-year price return is plus-688%. Had you invested $1,000 a year ago, your money would be worth $7,879.78 today. AII is cross-listed on the NASDAQ.

On April 13, 2026, Alimonty announced the relocation of its corporate headquarters to Montana, United States to be near federal U.S. government agencies, defence contractors, and industrial partners. Its newly commissioned Sangdong Tungsten Mine in South Korea will be the key source of secure supply for Western industrial and defence supply chains.

Best opportunities

Whitecap Resources and Almonty Industries represent two of the best opportunities on the TSX right now. Your $2,000 can be highly productive with these outperforming and budget-friendly stocks.

The post 2 Great Canadian Stocks to Buy Immediately With $2,000 appeared first on The Motley Fool Canada.

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Fool contributor Christopher Liew has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Whitecap Resources. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

The investment landscape in the second quarter of 2026 could be significantly more volatile than in the first quarter as a lasting peace remains elusive. With the weekend’s ceasefire talks between the U.S. and Iran having collapsed, hostilities could resume at any moment. The S&P/TSX Composite Index and other global benchmarks will remain under extreme pressure, driven by regional instability.

Meanwhile, two Canadian stocks appear fundamentally poised to weather the ongoing geopolitical shocks. Imperial Oil (TSX:IMO) and Barrick Mining (TSX:ABX), both from the top-performing energy and basic materials sectors, could even surge in 2026.

Solid moat

Imperial Oil directly benefits from rising oil prices and the looming oil crisis due to the Middle East conflict. The $86.5 billion integrated company has a distinct structural advantage when crude volatility is high. Its operations cover the entire value chain, from oil sands extraction to refining and marketing. There’s a built-in buffer against price volatility.

Performance-wise, IMO is up nearly 38% year-to-date. At $178.93 per share, the large-cap energy stock pays a modest but safe 1.9% dividend (44.4% payout ratio). Regarding dividend longevity, the payment track record is more than 100 years. Moreover, the company has increased its annual dividend for 31 consecutive years. The most recent increase was 20%.

Imperial Oil is not only a major crude oil producer but is also Canada’s largest petroleum refiner. Its Chairman, President and CEO, John Whelan, said, “Looking ahead, we are confident in our plans to profitably grow volumes, lower unit cash costs, and progress our restructuring, while maintaining our focus on safety and operational excellence.”

Safe haven

Barrick Mining has held steady, as evidenced by the 129.5% over the last 12 months. The $101 billion global mining company is a geopolitical safe haven, operating high-quality, long-life assets in prolific districts. Gold is likewise the ultimate hedge against economic uncertainty. At $60.27 per share, ABX pays an attractive 3.8% dividend.

Its President and CEO, Mark Hill, was extremely elated with Barrick’s outstanding finish to 2025. In the fourth quarter, the gold and copper production guidance was achieved, cash flow hit a quarterly record, and the year’s operating plan was successfully executed.

For the full year 2025, revenue and free cash flow (FCF) rose 31% and 194% year-over-year to US$17 billion and US$3.9 billion, respectively. Net earnings climbed 133% to US$5 billion compared to 2024. Gold prices surged during the latter part of the year. Copper exposure is advantageous because it is a critical mineral for the buildout of artificial intelligence and green energy infrastructure.

Barrick plans to spin off its North American assets into a new, separate entity called NewCo. The IPO for the focused, pure-play gold entity is tentatively set for late 2026. Reducing exposure to higher-risk jurisdictions and prioritizing investment in tier-one assets is part of the portfolio reshaping.

“We are well-positioned to carry our current momentum forward and continue unlocking value from our premier asset portfolio in 2026,” Hill added.

Crisis-ready

Imperial Oil and Barrick Gold are crisis-ready stocks, offering stability in a war-weary environment. The size and scale of the respective businesses will enable both stocks to withstand downward pressure.

The post 2 Canadian Stocks That Could Be Poised to Surge in 2026 appeared first on The Motley Fool Canada.

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Fool contributor Christopher Liew 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.