Retirees and other dividend investors are searching for good TSX stocks to add to a self-directed Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) or Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) portfolio.

With markets sitting near record highs and economic uncertainty on the horizon, it makes sense to consider companies that can maintain or extend their dividends even during a downturn in their sector or the broader economy.

TC Energy

TC Energy (TSX:TRP) trades near $86 per share at the time of writing. The stock is up nearly 30% in the past year but is off its recent high around $90, giving investors a chance to buy the pipeline infrastructure and power generation firm on a bit of a dip.

TC Energy is primarily a natural gas transmission and gas storage company, but it also owns power generation assets. The company spun off its oil pipeline business in 2024 as part of its efforts to streamline the business and monetize non-core holdings. At the time, TC Energy was focused on reducing the debt it had taken on to complete the Coastal GasLink pipeline that now carries natural gas from Canadian producers to the LNG Canada export facility located on the coast of British Columbia.

International demand for Canadian natural gas is expected to rise considerably as countries seek out reliable supplies of the fuel. TC Energy plans to double the capacity of Coastal GasLink in the second phase of the project. If the expansion gets the green light, it will boost TC Energy’s revenue stream in the coming years.

TC Energy will also benefit from the 2025 completion of the Southeast Gateway pipeline in Mexico. The asset was built to move natural gas from production sites to gas-fired power generation facilities being built in the country.

TC Energy intends to invest roughly $6 billion per year on capital projects through 2030. As new assets are completed and go into service, the boost to cash flow should support ongoing dividend growth. TC Energy raised the dividend in each of the past 26 years. Investors who buy TRP at the current price can get a dividend yield of 4%.

Fortis

Fortis (TSX:FTS) has increased its dividend for 52 consecutive years. This is a key reason the stock price has also drifted higher over time, providing investors with solid long-term total returns.

Fortis continues to grow through organic investments. The current $28.8 billion capital program is expected to boost the rate base by roughly 7% per year through 2030. This will help drive revenue and cash flow higher to support planned annual dividend increases of 4% to 6% over that timeframe.

Fortis owns natural gas distribution utilities, power generation facilities, and electricity transmission networks in Canada, the United States, and the Caribbean. Investments in gas-fired power plants and grid expansion are required to meet rising electricity demand, largely driven by new AI data centres. Fortis is positioned well to benefit from this trend.

Investors can currently get a 3.25% dividend yield from the stock. This is lower than the yield available from other companies, but the dividend growth will steadily boost the return on the initial investment.

The bottom line

TC Energy and Fortis pay good dividends that should continue to grow. If you have some cash to put to work, these stocks deserve to be on your radar.

The post 2 Dividend Stocks to Hold Comfortably for the Next 5 Years appeared first on The Motley Fool Canada.

The Motley Fool recommends Fortis. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Fool contributor Andrew Walker has no position in any stock mentioned.

2026

Successfully investing in the stock market doesn’t necessarily mean having millions to play with. Even an amount as small as $5,000 can be a great place to start a high-quality, self-directed investment portfolio. With the right initial investments, you can get the kind of returns you can spread across several stocks to build a more well-balanced portfolio.

If you are an investor with a slightly bigger appetite for risk than others, investing in growth stocks can be an excellent way to put your money to work. The Canadian equity market has been volatile, and it’s impossible to predict how things will pan out in the short term. Having the ability to ignore the noise and look at the bigger picture can help you make investments that can potentially double in value.

Even amid all this chaos in the market, there are stocks that have the potential to deliver such returns. Today, I will discuss two of the brightest prospects that I can see to this end.

MDA Space

MDA Space Ltd. (TSX:MDA) is a major player in the global space industry. Humanity isn’t exactly flying to the stars yet, but the space economy is growing. There is a growing need for satellite communications, global defence capabilities, and Earth observation that can only be facilitated by this industry. The sector is well-positioned to deliver substantial long-term returns, and MDA Space is one of the companies leading the charge.

The company provides space technology solutions to clients worldwide, and there is a massive demand for what it offers. MDA Space has a $4 billion backlog that reflects the demand, and a huge $400 billion growth pipeline across several markets. If there is one company to invest in to gain exposure to the growing space industry while remaining in the Canadian stock market, it is MDA Space.

Celestica

Where MDA Space offers tech-based solutions for space, Celestica Inc. (TSX:CLS) addresses more immediate concerns here on Earth. The world needs improved global supply chains, and the infrastructure necessary to facilitate that is critical. Celestica, a $52.1 billion market-cap Canadian company, is one of the strongest names in this area.

The manufacturing and supply-chain specialist has plenty of exposure to Artificial Intelligence (AI) infrastructure and data centre hardware. It is helping all the hyperscalers build data centres while maintaining a strong presence across several sectors of the economy. As the company continues to expand its footprint to meet the rising demand, it can deliver substantial long-term growth to its investors.

Foolish takeaway

There is solid expected demand for the services, products, and technological solutions that these two companies offer. Rising space spending means more business for MDA Space. In turn, it will help the company drive more value for its shareholders. Celestica’s help in managing supply chains will be increasingly critical for businesses in the coming years. While there is never a guarantee that any stock will double your investment, some have a greater chance of helping you accomplish that than others. To this end, MDA Space and Celestica are two tech stocks that can be good holdings to consider for your self-directed portfolio.

The post Have $5,000 to Invest? 2 Growth Stocks That Could Potentially Double in Value appeared first on The Motley Fool Canada.

Fool contributor Adam Othman has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Celestica and MDA Space. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

2026

If I could hold only one stock in my Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) for the next 20 years, it would be Canadian Pacific Kansas City (TSX:CP).

CPKC is the only railway on the continent that physically connects Canada, the United States, and Mexico on a single network. Armed with a structural competitive moat that is almost impossible to replicate, CPKC is a blue-chip dividend stock that should be part of a diversified TFSA portfolio.

A network built for the long game

To understand why CPKC is a forever hold, you need to understand what the 2023 merger between Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern created.

Before the deal, CP was a strong Canadian railway with a network that stopped at the U.S. border. Kansas City Southern’s network started there and ran deep into Mexico. Put the two together, and you get something that’s never existed before: a single railroad connecting Calgary to Mexico City.

CEO Keith Creel explained the industrial logic plainly at the JPMorgan Industrials Conference on March 18, 2026. “We came together to drive growth and to connect these three nations uniquely,” he said. “We’ve continued to enjoy growth in the industry, which is unique in this macro environment — and that’s been enabled by this new network.”

By the end of 2025, CPKC had generated over $1.2 billion in new revenue synergies directly enabled by the merger. Creel expects to post $200 million in cost savings this year, easily outpacing the original synergy target of $1 billion.

A top TSX stock to own in a TFSA

In 2025, tariffs on steel, aluminum, and automotive goods created roughly a $200 million revenue headwind. Trade uncertainty between Canada, the U.S., and Mexico weighed on shipper decisions. And, like every railroad, CPKC had to deal with winter weather and tough year-over-year comparisons due to tariff-related pull-forward demand in early 2025.

None of it broke the growth story.

• Grain volumes surged in early 2026, driven by a record Canadian harvest of 85 million metric tonnes — about 23% more than the prior year.
• International intermodal demand continued to grow as CPKC aligned with the Gemini Alliance, a partnership between shipping giants Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd.
• Automotive volumes hit records for the second consecutive year despite a shrinking overall market.

And the railroad giant is on track to meet its full-year guidance of low-single-digit revenue tonne-mile growth, translating into double-digit adjusted earnings per share growth, amid a challenging macro environment.

One of the most exciting and underappreciated growth drivers is what CPKC calls the land bridge: direct rail connections between Canada and Mexico that bypass the U.S. entirely for certain trade flows.

Canada-Mexico traffic grew from about 2% of CPKC’s revenue in 2024 to over 3% in 2025, representing nearly half a billion Canadian dollars in new revenue over two years. Creel sees another $100 million coming in 2026.

As Canada and Mexico look to diversify trade relationships amid ongoing uncertainty around the USMCA (United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement), CPKC’s north-south spine becomes strategically valuable.

Add the Southeast Mexico Express, a new service connecting Atlanta to Monterrey in about three days, and the Americold cold storage partnership in Kansas City ramping toward 600 weekly loads of proteins heading south into Mexico, and the pipeline of growth becomes almost impossible to ignore.

The Foolish takeaway

A $10,000 investment in CPKC stock 10 years back would be worth close to $33,000 today, if we adjust for dividend reinvestments.

Owning CPKC in a TFSA means that every dividend payment and every dollar of capital appreciation compounds completely tax-free. For a company aiming to achieve double-digit earnings growth over multiple years, the compounding effect within a sheltered account can be substantial.

The post The One Stock I’d Never Sell No Matter What Happens to My TFSA appeared first on The Motley Fool Canada.

Fool contributor Aditya Raghunath has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Canadian Pacific Kansas City. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

2026

Amid an uncertain economic backdrop marked by rising geopolitical tensions, persistent inflation, and potential job displacement from the increasing adoption of artificial intelligence, building passive income has become more important than ever. A steady income stream not only provides financial stability but also helps offset the impact of inflation. Additionally, reinvesting regular payouts can significantly enhance long-term returns.

One of the most effective ways to generate passive income is by investing in high-quality, income-generating stocks that offer monthly distributions and attractive yields. In this context, real estate investment trusts (REITs) stand out, as they are required to distribute a substantial portion of their taxable income to unitholders.

Against this backdrop, SmartCentres Real Estate Investment Trust (TSX:SRU.UN) appears to be a compelling option. The Toronto-based REIT owns and manages 198 strategically located properties across Canada, encompassing a gross leasable area of 35.6 million square feet. Let’s now examine its recent performance, growth prospects, and valuation to determine buying opportunities in the stock.

SmartCentres’s fourth-quarter performance

SmartCentres REIT delivered a solid fourth-quarter performance in February, leasing 35,500 square feet of vacant space. For the full year, it leased approximately 430,000 square feet, ending 2025 with a strong occupancy rate of 98.6%. Backed by steady customer traffic and a high-quality tenant base, its same-property net operating income (SPNOI) increased by 2.9% during the quarter.

Driven by these operational strengths, net rental income rose 1.4% year over year to $143.6 million. Gains from lease-up activity and higher net recoveries more than offset the impact of weaker residential sales amid fewer townhome closings, driving its net rental income.

However, adjusted funds from operations (FFO) per unit declined 3.6% to $0.54 compared to the same period last year. The decline was primarily due to higher interest costs and increased general and administrative expenses, which outweighed the growth in net operating income.

With its recent performance in perspective, let’s now turn to its growth prospects.

SmartCentres’s growth prospects

Demand for retail real estate remains resilient, supported in part by limited new supply amid elevated construction costs – an environment that favours SmartCentres. At the same time, the company continues to diversify and expand its portfolio across retail, residential, seniors housing, and self-storage assets.

Over the past year, SmartCentres opened three new self-storage facilities, bringing its total to 14. It also has four additional facilities under development, with projects in Montreal and Laval expected to be completed in the second quarter of this year. At the same time, two sites in British Columbia are slated for completion next year.

In addition, the REIT is developing a 200,000-square-foot Canadian Tire flagship store in Toronto, which could open in the third quarter. Overall, SmartCentres boasts a substantial development pipeline of 87.4 million square feet, including 0.8 million square feet currently under construction. Given these initiatives, the company appears well-positioned for steady, long-term growth.

Investors’ takeaway

Supported by solid financials and strong cash flows, SmartCentres continues to reward shareholders with attractive distributions. It currently offers a monthly payout of $0.1542 per unit, translating into a forward yield of 6.6%.

In addition to its steady income stream, the REIT has delivered capital appreciation, with its unit price up 8.2% year-to-date. Despite its favourable growth outlook and compelling yield, SmartCentres trades at a reasonable 14.2 times next-12-month price-to-earnings multiple, making it an appealing investment at current levels.

The post A 6.6% Dividend Stock Paying Cash Every Month appeared first on The Motley Fool Canada.

Fool contributor Rajiv Nanjapla has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends SmartCentres Real Estate Investment Trust. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

2026

Gold is often considered a safe haven investment to fight inflation. Thus, only a small portion of the portfolio is allocated to gold stocks as it doesn’t generate significant returns in a growing economy. However, times have changed, and gold stocks have outperformed the market, delivering returns equivalent to high-growth stocks. If gold stocks are enjoying significant growth, should you invest in them through the Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA)?

After all, a TFSA allows your investment to grow tax-free and also allows you to withdraw it tax-free.

Should TFSA investors buy gold on a dip?

Over the last five years, the gold price surged 173% from a little above US$1,600/oz to US$4,785/oz, and this is when the gold price dipped in March because of the Iran war. Before March, the price crossed US$5,300/oz.

Behind the gold price rally is gold buying by central banks worldwide. The fear of de-dollarization, tariffs, and wars is encouraging many countries’ central banks to increase their gold reserves. China has been buying gold for 17 straight months since March, according to Reuters. Poland and Kazakhstan also increased gold buying.

Gold dipped briefly in March as the Iran war suddenly increased inflation. Investors adopted a cautious approach over fears of an interest rate hike. While gold moves directly proportional to interest rate decisions, it is a commodity you ought to own in your TFSA amid uncertainty.

Why is gold a must buy?

If you understand the economic correlation between gold and paper currency, you will know why gold is a buy in the current geopolitical turmoil.

Gold serves as a medium of exchange with no counterparty risk or credit risk. Physical gold carries value because it is rare, and you can’t increase its supply suddenly. Thus, when gold demand increases, the price of gold increases.

Central banks print money at times of need without any gold backing. When paper currency is available in abundance, its value decreases. Countries used the US dollar as a reserve currency because the US has the largest gold reserves, and it is used for buying oil in global markets. The value of the dollar depends on the credit risk of the United States, which has been declining in the last few years. In May 2025, Moody’s downgraded the United States’ long-term credit rating from top-tier Aaa to Aa1, citing unsustainable fiscal deficits, a $36 trillion+ debt load, and mounting interest payments.

Higher credit risk increases interest rates on these Treasury bonds. If countries reduce buying US Treasuries, the value of the dollar will fall, and that of gold will increase. The significant jump in gold prices in the last few years created a historic moment, where gold surpassed US Treasuries in global reserves. Central banks now hold nearly $4 trillion in gold and ~$3.9 trillion in US Treasuries, because the value of gold has increased significantly.

If central banks are buying gold more than dollars, so should you.

Which gold stocks to buy in a TFSA?

Gold buying will continue for a long time, making gold stocks an ideal investment for a TFSA. Canada’s three gold stocks, Barrick Mining (TSX:ABX), Kinross Gold (TSX:K), and Lundin Gold (TSX:LUG), are worth buying on the dip. Barrick is a buy because it is Canada’s largest gold producer, but also has the highest all-in-sustaining cost (AISC) among the three, which stabilizes share price momentum. Lundin is a buy because it has the lowest AISC, but its smaller size makes it more volatile. Kinross has a significantly higher AISC and gold production than Lundin and slightly below Barrick’s.

If you have the appetite to buy only one stock, consider buying Kinross at the dip, then Lundin, and then Barrick. Barrick stock fell 26%, Kinross 27.8%, and Lundin 24.5% between March 2 and 20. Kinross not only led the dip, but also the rally, as its share price surged 131% over the last 12 months, while Barrick and Lundin stocks surged 112% and 124.6%, respectively.

The post Should TFSA Investors Buy Gold on a Dip? appeared first on The Motley Fool Canada.

Fool contributor Puja Tayal 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.

2026

The biggest loss in investment is procrastination. In waiting for the right time, one might lose the opportunity at hand. If you have $10,000 to invest right now, here are some good buying opportunities.

Canadian stocks to invest $10,000 today

The market opened on a positive note, and many stocks saw a recovery after the sharp dip throughout March and April. While there is no guarantee that the market will remain green, it shows that it’s time to buy the dip before the market recovers.

Topicus.com

Topicus.com (TSXV:TOI) is a buy at its current dip as the company has completed a significant acquisition of a 23.1% stake in Asseco Poland. It is trading near its two-year low as the stock has halved from its $199 peak in July 2025. The reason for the dip was the sudden resignation of the founder of Constellation Software – the parent company of Topicus.com – and the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) adoption on traditional software. Topicus.com’s business depends on regular sticky cash flow from the maintenance of traditional software. If AI replaces this software and automates maintenance, it could significantly alter the business landscape of Topicus.com.

However, adoption of AI in certain mission-critical segments remains debatable. Even AI needs monitoring if not maintenance. How AI redefines the software landscape is a work in progress, and Topicus.com is not working in isolation. Its management monitors the changing landscape and could work out ways to thrive.

So far, Topicus.com has been acquiring European software companies and growing its free cash flow. The market has discounted the stock despite a 40% growth in free cash flow in 2025. If its FCF continues to grow for another few years, the stock could see a sharp recovery rally, as it will assure investors that Topicus.com can thrive in the AI world.

Shopify stock

Buying the dip and holding is the best strategy for the seasonal e-commerce stock Shopify (TSX:SHOP). It has shown consistent 30% revenue growth for three consecutive years and a double-digit free cash flow margin.

The market rewarded this consistency by growing its holiday season peaks every year. March-April dips have also increased and now hover around their previous year’s peak. For instance, Shopify stock has dipped 35% from its seasonal peak and is trading near $158–$160, which was the holiday season peak in 2024.

Now is the time to buy the stock and hold it for the long term, as consistent growth will gain more attention in volatile times. Another growth trigger could come from AI-enabled revenue growth as the e-commerce giant introduces several AI tools to help merchants improve their online store performance.

Power Corporation of Canada stock

Investing in tech alone could increase the portfolio risk. Power Corporation of Canada (TSX:POW) will help you diversify your investment in the financial sector, giving you exposure to insurance, wealth management, energy, and private equity. Power holds a majority stake in Great-West Life Co. and IGM Financial, which have exposure to financial companies in North America and Europe. They are also good dividend payers, which helps Power grow its dividends. POW stock increased the 2026 dividend by 9%.

Power depends on private equity and the energy sector for capital gains. The stock has already recovered after falling 14% in 2026, and still has room to grow. It is a stock to buy for both dividend and capital growth.

The opportunity cost of delaying investing

There will be ups and downs, and the above stocks could also fall in the short term. You may see your $10,000 become $9,000. But it is not a loss until you panic sell. Remember why you invested in these stocks, and if that secular growth is intact, the stock will rebound.

If you keep delaying investing, the opportunity cost will be higher. You might have had Shopify on your watchlist since 2023. Had you invested $10,000 even at the 2023 seasonal peak of $70, your money would have more than doubled to $22,368 by now, considering the stock is at its seasonal dip. Delaying investing in Shopify costs you $12,000.

The post If I Had $10,000 to Invest in Canadian Stocks Today, Here’s What I’d Buy appeared first on The Motley Fool Canada.

The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Shopify and Topicus.com. The Motley Fool recommends Constellation Software. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Fool contributor Puja Tayal has no position in any of the stocks mentioned.

2026

Top Canadian dividend stocks are a dependable investment for generating worry-free passive income for decades. Many TSX stocks have consistently paid and grown their dividends year after year, making them an attractive option for income. However, the recent rally across several of these reliable dividend payers has driven their share prices higher, which has consequently reduced their yields.

Because dividend yields move inversely with share prices, elevated valuations can make even high-quality dividend stocks less attractive from an income perspective. For this reason, investors can benefit from waiting for any dip. Buying during dips can provide an opportunity to acquire strong dividend-paying companies at more favourable valuations, improving both immediate yield and long-term total return prospects.

Against this background, here are two Canadian dividend stocks worth snapping up on any dip.

Top dividend stock #1: Canadian Natural Resources

Canadian Natural Resources (TSX:CNQ) is a top dividend stock worth snapping up on any dip. It has shown resilience through various commodity and economic cycles. While many oil and gas producers were forced to either cut or suspend dividends during periods of weak energy prices, CNQ has maintained an impressive record of consistently raising its dividend for decades. This reflects the company’s resilient business model, disciplined capital allocation, and commitment to returning cash to shareholders.

Canadian Natural recently announced a 6.4% increase in its quarterly dividend to $0.625 per share. This increase marks its 26th consecutive year of dividend growth, with distributions rising at an average compound rate of roughly 20% over that period.

While CNQ is a solid dividend payer, its stock has surged about 80% over the past 12 months, significantly outperforming the broader market. Moreover, in the last five years, CNQ stock has generated an approximate total capital gain of 337%. Given this sharp rally, investors should wait for a dip to snap up Canadian Natural stock.

Looking ahead, Canadian Natural appears well-positioned to continue increasing its dividend. Its growing production base, strong free cash flow generation, ongoing cost-optimization efforts, and expanding reserves augur well for growth. Notably, about 73% of its proved reserves consist of long-life, low-decline assets, which provide greater production visibility and reduce the need for heavy reinvestment to maintain output. In addition, its strategic acquisitions are likely to further boost its production and reserves.

Overall, CNQ’s diversified asset portfolio and extensive undeveloped land holdings provide a solid base for sustained growth and future dividend increases.

Top dividend stock #2: Bank of Montreal

Bank of Montreal (TSX:BMO) is another top dividend stock to buy on the dip. Shares of this Canadian banking leader have risen by nearly 66% in a year, reflecting solid operating momentum and strong investor confidence. Alongside its share price performance, the bank maintains one of the most impressive dividend payment histories. It has paid dividends continuously for 197 years. Over the past 15 years, its dividend has grown at a compound annual growth rate of approximately 5.7%.

The bank’s diversified revenue base plays a key role in supporting consistent earnings across different economic conditions. Its core banking operations, capital markets segment, and wealth management division all contribute meaningfully to overall profitability. This diversified structure provides multiple sources of growth while helping stabilize results during periods of economic volatility.

Operational discipline further strengthens the company’s financial performance. Improvements in the bank’s efficiency ratio demonstrate effective cost management, helping expand margins and enhance profitability.

Looking ahead, the bank is focusing on a digital-first strategy to modernize its operations and strengthen client relationships. Ongoing investments in artificial intelligence (AI) are expected to enhance productivity, improve customer engagement, and create new opportunities for long-term growth. These initiatives are designed to keep the bank competitive in an increasingly technology-driven financial services landscape.

Supported by a strong balance sheet and high-quality assets, BMO remains well-positioned to maintain its long-standing commitment to dividend payments in the years ahead.

The post 2 Canadian Dividend Stocks Worth Snapping Up on Any Dip appeared first on The Motley Fool Canada.

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

2026

It’s a pretty scary time to be a growth investor, with shares of higher-multiple names starting to show fragility, especially those in the tech sector. Undoubtedly, we’ve heard a lot of new AI (think agentics) news of late, which seems to have caused more anxiety and panic-selling (think in the software industry) than euphoria and optimism.

Combined with the conflict in the Middle East, it should be no surprise as to why investors aren’t quite ready to back up the truck on the many names that have fallen so rapidly out of favour. With broad markets continuing their recovery into mid-April despite the blockade in the Strait of Hormuz and higher oil prices, which could eventually add a spark to inflation, there is a slight sense of optimism.

After things failed to work out between the U.S. and Iran over the weekend, it felt like the week to come would be incredibly painful. And while Monday’s session saw pain at the open, it did not take all too long for the dip-buyers to step in.

Staying the course amid growing geopolitical fears

Of course, things might not be getting much better geopolitically, but it really does feel like investors are far more hopeful that things will resolve before any sort of worst-case scenario (maybe stagflation?) has a chance to play out. As the Federal Reserve and Bank of Canada look to pause and reconsider, perhaps so, too, should investors, as they look to keep investing despite the scary headlines that continue to come in.

In any case, staying the course could prove wise as the market rebound continues and investors look to become a tad less fearful. After the sell-off in software, perhaps it’s time to go bargain hunting, provided you’re willing to ride the rest of the volatility out going into the summer.

So, what are the “best” stocks to buy if you had an extra $1,000 or so? That’s a good question. Personally, I think there are a lot of fantastic deals to consider. And while it’s tough to pick “deals,” I do think that the following name stands out when it comes to risk/reward.

Alimentation Couche-Tard

Alimentation Couche-Tard (TSX:ATD) is starting to get really inexpensive again after plunging close to 3% last week. Indeed, gas prices might be going up again, but that’s no reason to hit the sell button, especially given the company’s longer-term strategy with fresh and hot foods.

Of course, there’s still a lot of work to be done as the firm improves its food offering over at the local Circle K. Arguably, some of its rivals south of the border, from Wawa to Sheetz to Buc-ee’s, are miles ahead when it comes to food. Whether it’s fresh subs made in store, pizza, or brisket sandwiches, I think it’s clear where Couche-Tard needs to go next.

In any case, I think the pressure on the consumer won’t take away from Couche-Tard’s generational tailwinds as it looks to expand its footprint, perhaps with a major acquisition up its sleeves at some point over the coming 18 months. The firm has the money to spend and a synergy-driving M&A engine that could really get roaring again. For now, shares go for 19.1 times trailing price-to-earnings (P/E), which undervalues that growth engine, at least in my view.

The only massive question mark with ATD stock is when the next big deal will happen.

The post The Best Stocks to Invest $1,000 in This April appeared first on The Motley Fool Canada.

Fool contributor Joey Frenette has positions in Alimentation Couche-Tard. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alimentation Couche-Tard. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

2026

In today’s world, where artificial intelligence (AI) is replacing several jobs, one needs to build a reliable source of income. Everything has a cycle: agriculture, oil, and gas; they all depend on demand and supply dynamics. In such a scenario, a reliable income partner is the one that adapts to the change and keeps its balance sheet leverage low. This 3.9% yielding stock meets these needs and has a reliable monthly dividend.

A monthly dividend stock worth knowing about

Granite REIT (TSX:GRT.UN) is the industrial REIT that caters to the storage and warehouse needs of industries and e-commerce. It is among the few REITs that have been paying and growing dividends regularly for the last 13 years, without any dividend cut.

It started as the warehouse partner of Magna International and then expanded its property portfolio to 141 properties across North America and Europe. The rising trade tensions did impact Granite in the first half of 2025, but demand picked up, and it closed the year with a 98% occupancy, up 310 basis points from 2024.

Being in the warehousing space, demand keeps fluctuating, and occupiers get more demanding on features like cold storage and environmentally friendly storage. Granite actively monitors these demands and recycles its capital by selling low-yield properties and buying high-yield ones with state-of-the-art features.

Granite retained 92% of its 2025 lease maturities and increased the average rental rate by a remarkable 48%. It is seeing the momentum continue in 2026, having renewed 57% of its 2026 lease maturities at an average rent increase of around 10%.

Despite such strong operations, Granite maintains a conservative net debt of 35% of its fair value of investment properties. Its debt-to-earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) ratio is 7.2 times, lower than the peer average of 9.3 times.

The 3.9% yield of Granite REIT with monthly payouts

The strong financial discipline and capital recycling have helped Granite REIT steadily grow its net operating income and funds from operations (FFO) since 2021. Its FFO grew at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10% between 2021 and 2026 (projected).

This gives Granite REIT the flexibility to grow its dividend per share by 4.4% in 2026. As the FFO grew faster than dividends, its dividend payout ratio reduced to 57% in 2025 from 61% in 2024.

The REIT trades at $89 per unit and gives an annual dividend of $3.45 per share. That converts into an annual dividend yield of 3.9%. On the face of it, the yield doesn’t look attractive when you have other REITs offering 5–6% yield.

However, when you consider the dividend growth factor, Granite REIT is a stock worth owning.

Investing $10,000 in Granite REIT can earn you $32.50 in monthly income

A $10,000 investment in Granite REIT in December 2020 would have bought you 130 shares, which would have produced $390 a year or $32.50 a month in dividends. The last five years of 3.4% average dividend growth have increased its dividend to $461.50 a year or $38.40 a month. The annual dividend yield on a $10,000 investment has increased from 3.9% to 4.6%.

The 4.6% yield still falls short of the 6.3% yield offered by Freehold Royalties with cyclical growth and without a dividend reinvestment plan (DRIP), and the 5.5% yield of CT REIT with 2.5–3% dividend growth and a DRIP.

How to invest in Granite REIT

Granite REIT may not be one of the best in terms of returns. However, not all investments are made keeping returns in mind. Some investments are made to diversify risk and get assured returns when one sector collapses.

Granite gives you exposure to e-commerce seasonality and real estate dividends. Its share price hovers between $65 and $80. This 23% range can create a dividend range of 5.46%–3.88%. The REIT tends to fall to its seasonal low in October and seasonal high in February. You could add this to your watchlist and buy the units in October in the $65–$68 price range and lock in over a 5% yield with dividend growth.

The post A Reliable Monthly Dividend Stock With a 3.9% Yield Worth Knowing About  appeared first on The Motley Fool Canada.

Fool contributor Puja Tayal has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Freehold Royalties, Granite Real Estate Investment Trust, and Magna International. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

2026

Building a reliable income stream within a Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) doesn’t have to be complicated. For that, you just need to focus on the top Canadian stocks that can consistently generate cash and return it to shareholders through dividends.

While high yields look tempting, consistency and long-term stability matter even more. Let’s take a closer look at one such TSX stock that stands out for its dependable payouts and solid growth outlook.

Keyera stock

If you don’t know it already, Keyera (TSX:KEY) is a Calgary-based energy infrastructure company with a largely fee-for-service business model. Its operations span natural gas gathering and processing, natural gas liquids (NGLs) processing, transportation, storage, marketing, and a condensate system in Alberta. After climbing by nearly 29% over the last year, KEY stock currently trades at $51.81 per share with a market cap of $14.4 billion. It offers a dividend yield of 4.1% at the current market price, with quarterly payouts.

Keyera’s operational strength is driving financial growth

Keyera’s recent performance reflects a mix of stable operations and strategic execution. In the fourth quarter of 2025, the company reported adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) of $301 million, slightly down from $313 million a year earlier. However, excluding transaction costs related to the Plains acquisition, its adjusted EBITDA would have been $313 million for the quarter and reached $1.2 billion for the full year.

Meanwhile, its distributable cash flow (DCF) remained strong, coming in at $206 million in the fourth quarter, up from $168 million a year ago. Its gathering and processing segment delivered a record annual realized margin of $439 million with the help of higher throughput at key gas plants. At the same time, its liquids infrastructure segment posted a record $593 million in annual realized margin, supported by increased contracted volumes.

Notably, Keyera ended the fourth quarter with a net debt-to-adjusted EBITDA ratio of 1.8 times, well below its long-term target range of 2.5 to 3 times. This gives the company flexibility to invest in growth while maintaining balance sheet strength.

For 2026, it expects growth capital expenditures of $400 to $475 million and maintenance capital of $140 to $160 million. It also anticipates some financial impact from an extended outage at the Alberta Envirofuels Facility, estimated at around $110 million.

Focus on major projects

Keyera’s growth story is backed by several major projects. These include the KFS Frac 2 Debottleneck project, the KFS Frac 3 Expansion, and the KAPS Zone 4 project, all of which are expected to come online over the next few years. These initiatives will expand its capacity and strengthen its fee-based revenue streams.

In addition, Keyera’s planned acquisition of Plains’ Canadian NGL business is expected to expand its infrastructure footprint and strengthen its long-term growth potential.

Foolish bottom line

Keyera stands out as a reliable TFSA dividend stock backed by steady cash flows, disciplined growth investments, and a strong balance sheet. Its consistent payouts and long-term expansion plans make it a great choice for investors seeking consistent income and stability.

The post A Reliable TFSA Dividend Stock Yielding 4.1% With Consistent Payouts appeared first on The Motley Fool Canada.

Fool contributor Jitendra Parashar has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Keyera. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

2026