Motley Fool Premium
  1. Category
    2. /
  2. Investing
    3. /
  3. Dividend Stocks
    4. /

Dividend Stocks

What are dividend stocks?

Dividend stocks are stocks that send you a sum of money (usually quarterly, but sometimes annually) simply for owning shares in the company.

To be clear, this money isn’t a capital gain, which you earn when share prices go up or when you sell the stock for profit. A dividend is more like a “bonus” that comes to you in the form of cash or more shares in the company’s stock.

Which companies have dividend stocks?

It’s important to note that not all companies pay out dividends. Dividend-paying companies are usually older, more established corporations that have a long track history of positive growth and expansion.

Usually when a company earns more money than it can reinvest in itself, it creates a dividend paying policy for shareholders. For that reason, you’ll rarely see growth companies, small caps, or start-ups issue dividends.

In Canada, some top dividend stocks include:

More information about dividend stocks in Canada:

To learn more about Dividend Stocks, take a look at our Guide to Dividend Investing for all the details.

Check back here for the most up to date information about dividend stocks in Canada.

Recent Dividend Stocks News

upside down girl playing on swing over the sea,
Dividend Stocks

A Dependable Dividend Stock to Buy With $20,000 Right Now

| Sneha Nahata

This dependable stock has the ability consistently pay and increase its yearly payouts regardless of market conditions.

Read more »

up arrow on wooden blocks
Dividend Stocks

A TSX Dividend Stock Down 42% That’s Worth Buying Before it Rebounds

| Aditya Raghunath

Pet Valu is down 42% from its highs, but this TSX dividend stock offers a growing payout, strong free cash…

Read more »

dividend growth for passive income
Dividend Stocks

These Canadian Companies Keep Hiking Their Dividends

| Daniel Da Costa

These three reliable dividend growth stocks are some of the best long-term investments that Canadians can buy today.

Read more »

Hourglass projecting a dollar sign as shadow
Dividend Stocks

1 TSX Dividend Stock Down 5.5% to Buy Now

| Christopher Liew, CFA

The recent dip of this high-yield dividend stock is a buying opportunity for income investors.

Read more »

man looks surprised at investment growth
Dividend Stocks

A Canadian Dividend Stock Down 13.5% to Buy & Hold Forever

| Andrew Button

Brookfield Corp (TSX:BN) has been unjustifiably beaten down.

Read more »

Investor wonders if it's safe to buy stocks now
Dividend Stocks

What’s Going on With goeasy’s Dividend?

| Andrew Button

Goeasy (TSX:GSY) has suspended its dividend.

Read more »

Asset Management
Top TSX Stocks

2 Top Stocks to Buy and Hold for the Long Term

| Christopher Liew, CFA

Two industry heavyweights with renewed growth stories are the top stocks to buy and hold for the long term.

Read more »

dividends can compound over time
Dividend Stocks

3 Worry-Free High-Yield Dividend Plays for 2026

| Demetris Afxentiou

These three worry‑free, high‑yield dividend stocks can offer investors a stable recurring income stream backed by reliable performance.

Read more »

Utility, wind power
Dividend Stocks

2 Canadian Dividend Giants I’d Buy With Rates on Hold

| Chris MacDonald

These top Canadian dividend stocks could be just what your portfolio ordered in this current economic backdrop. Here's why.

Read more »

Hourglass and stock price chart
Dividend Stocks

A Deeply Undervalued TSX Stock Down 17.5% Worth Holding Long Term

| Brian Paradza, CFA

Beyond the Iran war panic, here's why Magna International (TSX:MG) stock’s 17.5% drop is a 10-year gift for patient investors

Read more »

diversification is an important part of building a stable portfolio
Dividend Stocks

A Top-Performing U.S. Stock That Canadian Investors Really Should Own

| Andrew Button

NVIDIA (NVDA) is hot, but one other U.S. stock is built to last.

Read more »

man shops in a drugstore
Dividend Stocks

2 Top TSX Stocks to Buy Today With Long-Term Growth in Mind

| Daniel Da Costa

These two top TSX stocks are some of the best and most reliable long-term growth names that you can buy…

Read more »

people stand in a line to wait at an airport
Dividend Stocks

The Bank of Canada Just Held Rates at 2.25%. These 3 Dividend Stocks Are Built for the Wait.

| Amy Legate-Wolfe

Dividend investors who had been hoping for a rate cut should now pivot to "what pays me while I wait?"

Read more »

monthly calendar with clock
Dividend Stocks

A Year Later: 2 Canadian Stocks That Look Even Better Now

| Amy Legate-Wolfe

A year later, the real winners are the companies that kept executing, buying back shares, and paying you to wait.

Read more »

Muscles Drawn On Black board
Dividend Stocks

Stock Split Alert: 2 TSX Stocks That Could Split in 2026

| Adam Othman

Poised for a split, here are two top Canadian stocks that you should be keeping a close eye on in…

Read more »

cookies stack up for growing profit
Dividend Stocks

The Best Dividend Stocks to Buy and Hold Forever

| Kay Ng

Dividend investing can help build long-term wealth via steady income and capital appreciation, especially when shares are added on market…

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

Canada’s Inflation Dipped to 1.8%, but Economists Say It Won’t Last. Here’s How to Think About Stocks.

| Amy Legate-Wolfe

Softer inflation can lift retail stocks by easing cost pressures and making shoppers feel less squeezed.

Read more »

Canadian dollars are printed
Dividend Stocks

Transform Your TFSA Into a Cash-Gushing Machine With Just $20,000

| Aditya Raghunath

Split $20,000 in your TFSA between Alaris Equity and Timbercreek Financial for reliable, tax-free income backed by real assets and…

Read more »

man touches brain to show a good idea
Dividend Stocks

Why BCE’s Dividend Has Been in the Spotlight Lately 

| Puja Tayal

Analyze BCE's recent challenges and their implications on its dividend strategy and telecom market position in Canada.

Read more »

cookies stack up for growing profit
Dividend Stocks

5 Canadian Stocks I’d Buy for ‘Instant Income’

| Amy Legate-Wolfe

Instant income isn’t a gimmick: these five Canadian REITs can start paying you now, even in a shaky market.

Read more »

dividend stocks bring in passive income so investors can sit back and relax
Dividend Stocks

If You Love Income, Consider This High-Yield Stock as a Telus Alternative

| Joey Frenette

Canadian Tire (TSX:CTC.A) stock might have more to offer on the growth front than other ultra-high-yielders.

Read more »

dividend stocks are a good way to earn passive income
Dividend Stocks

1 Canadian Dividend Stock Down 12% to Buy Now and Hold for Years

| Chris MacDonald

Here's why Canadian Apartments REIT (TSX:CAR.UN) looks like a top-tier opportunity for investors in the real estate sector right now.

Read more »

groceries get more expensive as inflation rises
Dividend Stocks

Inflation Just Cooled Down to 1.8%, and These Stocks Are Positioned to Benefit

| Amy Legate-Wolfe

Softer inflation can quietly help these TSX names by easing cost pressure, improving consumer credit, and supporting longer-duration growth stories.

Read more »

investor looks at volatility chart
Dividend Stocks

The Best Canadian Stock to Own When Volatility Returns

| Karen Thomas, MSc, CFA

Fortis stock has the benefit of stable and predictable earnings due to its regulated business. See why it's a must-own.

Read more »

top TSX stocks to buy
Dividend Stocks

Invest $50,000 in This Dividend Stock for $2,580 in Passive Income

| Andrew Button

Brookfield Renewable Partners (TSX:BEP.UN) can add considerable passive income to your portfolio.

Read more »

pig shows concept of sustainable investing
Dividend Stocks

Should You Buy the 3 Highest-Paying Dividend Stocks on the TSX? (One Recently Yielded 16.8%.)

| Andrew Button

Decisive Dividend (TSXV:DE) has a remarkable 6.8% dividend yield.

Read more »

diversification is an important part of building a stable portfolio
Dividend Stocks

Top Canadian Stocks to Buy Right Now With $5,000

| Adam Othman

Add these two TSX stocks to your self-directed investment portfolio to make the best of the current investment landscape right…

Read more »

TFSA (Tax-Free Savings Account) on wooden blocks and Canadian one hundred dollar bills.
Dividend Stocks

Opinion: The Best Place to Put Your $7,000 TFSA Contribution This Year

| Brian Paradza, CFA

Ready to ignore market noise? Discover how to turn your 2026 TFSA contribution into a tax-free cash engine with a…

Read more »

Piggy bank on a flying rocket
Dividend Stocks

3 Dividend Stocks to Double Up on Right Now

| Sneha Nahata

These dividend stocks have the financial strength to increase their payouts year after year, even during periods of market turbulence.

Read more »

sound engineer adjusts audio on board
Dividend Stocks

As Earnings Season Winds Down, These 3 Canadian Stocks Proved They Could Sit Through the Noise

| Amy Legate-Wolfe

These stocks stayed steady with recurring revenue, underwriting discipline, and instant diversification.

Read more »

hand stacks coins
Dividend Stocks

3 Dividend Stocks to Buy Right Now for Income and Upside

| Chris MacDonald

These top Canadian dividend stocks look like screaming buys for investors with truly long-term investing time horizons.

Read more »

engineer at wind farm
Dividend Stocks

The Smartest Dividend Stocks to Buy With $5,000 Right Now

| Sneha Nahata

These smart dividend stocks will continue rewarding shareholders with consistent dividend growth year after year.

Read more »

resting in a hammock with eyes closed
Dividend Stocks

A Year Later: 3 “Boring” Canadian Stocks That Kept Winning

| Amy Legate-Wolfe

A year of chaos made the quiet winners easier to spot.

Read more »

buildings lined up in a row
Dividend Stocks

These 2 Canadian REITs Yield at Least 7%, and Here’s What You Need to Check Before You Buy

| Amy Legate-Wolfe

This level of payout from a REIT can be real income, but only if rent holds up and debt stays…

Read more »

Runner on the start line
Dividend Stocks

2 Canadian Stocks to Buy With $500 Right Now

| Amy Legate-Wolfe

The real win is starting small and adding regularly, not trying to build a perfect portfolio immediately.

Read more »

A close up color image of a small green plant sprouting out of a pile of Canadian dollar coins "loonies."
Dividend Stocks

Take Full Advantage of Your TFSA With These Dividend Stars

| Demetris Afxentiou

Build tax‑free income with top TFSA dividend stocks like Enbridge, Scotiabank, and Fortis for long‑term stability and growth.

Read more »

woman checks off all the boxes
Dividend Stocks

1 Undervalued Dividend Stock Canadians Can Buy for 2026

| Joey Frenette

Fortis (TSX:FTS) stock stands out as a great pick-up on the way up, mostly for the safe dividend growth.

Read more »

boy in bowtie and glasses gives positive thumbs up
Dividend Stocks

Here Are My Top 3 TSX Stocks to Buy Right Now

| Christopher Liew, CFA

My top three TSX stocks form a fortress-like portfolio capable of weathering the geopolitical storm in 2026.

Read more »

Income and growth financial chart
Dividend Stocks

2 Dividend Stocks to Double Up on Right Now

| Adam Othman

Generate outsized passive income in your self-directed investment portfolio by adding these two high-quality dividend stocks to your holdings.

Read more »

Yellow caution tape attached to traffic cone
Dividend Stocks

7.4% Dividend Yield? Here’s a Dividend Trap to Avoid in March

| Chris MacDonald

Yellow Pages (TSX:Y) is a top Canadian dividend stock that many investors focus on for its yield, but that could…

Read more »