Volatile markets make investors picky fast. Flashy growth stories can still work, but dividend investors usually want something simpler when prices swing. The best “no-brainer” dividend stocks don’t need perfect conditions to make sense, but serve real needs, generate repeatable revenue, and give investors a reason to stay calm — all while everyone else watches the market bounce around.

H

Hydro One (TSX:H) owns and operates much of Ontario’s electricity transmission and distribution system, so its business ties directly to the province’s need for reliable power. That gives it a defensive feel. Over the last year, Hydro One stock also leaned into one of the biggest long-term themes in Canada: grid expansion. The company was selected for new transmission projects, including lines tied to growth across Ontario, and continued working with First Nations partners on major infrastructure.

The latest numbers back up the steady story. In the fourth quarter of 2025, Hydro One stock reported revenue of $2.27 billion, up from $2.1 billion a year earlier. Net income attributable to common shareholders rose to $233 million from $200 million, while basic earnings per share (EPS) climbed to $0.39 from $0.33. For the full year, EPS reached $2.23, up from $1.93 in 2024. That’s not explosive growth, but it’s useful growth. The company also declared a quarterly dividend of $0.3331 per share, putting the annual payout near $1.33. With Hydro One stock recently trading around 26 times earnings and yielding about 2.3%, investors don’t get a bargain-bin price, but reliability.

The future outlook still looks solid. Ontario needs more power for population growth, industrial demand, electrification, and data-heavy infrastructure. Hydro One stock sits right in the middle of that buildout. The risk, of course, comes from valuation and debt. Utilities often carry heavy debt, and higher financing costs can pressure earnings. Regulators also shape returns, so Hydro One stock can’t simply raise prices whenever it wants. Even so, its regulated model, growing asset base, and essential service make it a strong fit for investors who want income without drama.

TPZ

Topaz Energy (TSX:TPZ), meanwhile, gives investors exposure to Canadian energy without acting like a traditional producer. Topaz owns royalty interests and infrastructure assets across the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin. That means it earns revenue from production on its lands and from processing assets, but it avoids much of the direct capital spending burden producers face. In a volatile market, that asset-light model can look very attractive. Energy prices still matter, but Topaz doesn’t need to fund every drill bit itself.

Its recent results showed why investors keep paying attention. In the fourth quarter of 2025, Topaz generated cash flow of $80.6 million and free cash flow of $79.7 million. Royalty production revenue came in at $62.5 million, while infrastructure assets added $24.2 million in processing revenue and other income. Net income rose 64% year over year to $32.7 million, helped by higher royalty production, stronger processing revenue, and hedging gains. The company paid a quarterly dividend of $0.34 per share, giving the stock a recent yield of around 4.3% at writing. That’s a much richer income stream than Hydro One stock, though investors should remember Topaz trades at a premium valuation for an energy name.

The outlook also looks encouraging. Topaz expects 2026 royalty production of 23,500 to 23,900 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boe/d) and annual processing revenue and other income of $92 million to $94 million. Its Clearwater and northeast British Columbia Montney exposure gives it growth potential, while hedges help soften commodity swings. Still, risks remain. Oil and natural gas prices can move fast, and Topaz’s payout looks high if you only judge it by earnings instead of cash flow. That makes cash generation the key number to watch.

Bottom line

Together, Hydro One stock and Topaz offer two different ways to stay invested through volatility, and both can create income with $7,000 invested.

Both give dividend investors real businesses, real cash flow, and reasons to keep collecting while the market sorts itself out.

The post 2 No-Brainer Dividend Stocks to Buy in This Volatile Market appeared first on The Motley Fool Canada.

Fool contributor Amy Legate-Wolfe has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Topaz Energy. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

2026

After hitting a new record high in March 2026, the S&P/TSX Composite Index has slid down, come back up, and is sliding again. Many investors have seen steep losses each time equity securities have gone down during this volatile market environment. Many new investors, especially those who use their Tax-Free Savings Accounts (TFSA), are worried about a looming crisis.

Seasoned investors try not to get too worked up in these market conditions. Instead, their experiences tell them that this is as good a time as any to put their money to work in the market.

Granted, a return to normalcy in the geopolitical landscape doesn’t seem clear right now. That said, the market eventually has to stabilize because that is the cyclical nature of stock markets. Making investments that can help you weather the storm and emerge stronger on the other side is the best way to put your money to work right now.

Against this backdrop, here are two picks I would advise considering for your self-directed portfolio.

Fortis

Fortis (TSX:FTS) is one of the most attractive stocks to own during bear market conditions. The $38.57 billion market-cap company owns and operates several natural gas and electricity utility businesses across Canada, the U.S., and the Caribbean. All of its markets are highly rate-regulated, and its revenue comes from long-term contracted assets. This means Fortis generates predictable and stable cash flows.

With its cash flows clear, the company’s management can invest in capital programs and fund dividend growth comfortably. Fortis is a reliable dividend stock, boasting an over 50-year dividend-growth streak that has made it so popular among TFSA users.

As of this writing, it trades for $75.76 per share and pays $0.64 per share each quarter, translating to a 3.38% dividend yield that you can lock into your self-directed TFSA portfolio today.

Brookfield Renewable Partners

Brookfield Renewable Partners (TSX:BEP.UN) is a stock that you can consider investing in if you are bullish on the future of the renewable energy space. Brookfield Renewable is the leading publicly-traded company in the green energy space. The $30.98 billion market-cap company owns and operates a diversified portfolio of renewable energy facilities, including hydroelectric, solar, wind, and other sustainable solutions assets.

While it may take some time for the world to move away from fossil fuels and complete the transition to green energy, it is eventually happening. Companies leading the charge in this space today are well-positioned to leverage the boom that many believe is bound to happen at some point.

Brookfield Renewable is also a dividend stock, and it has increased payouts for 15 consecutive years, showing that it has a resilient business model that can sustain payouts. It can be an excellent investment to consider at current levels.

Foolish takeaway

Betting on the growing renewable energy space with Brookfield Renewable Partners and a reliable utility stock that pays virtually guaranteed and growing dividends can be an excellent way to use the market environment to your advantage. Held in a TFSA, these two TSX stocks can provide the perfect combination of regular income and long-term growth to unlock financial freedom, all without incurring taxes.

The post Here’s Exactly How I’d Put $20,000 of TFSA Money to Work in 2026 appeared first on The Motley Fool Canada.

Fool contributor Adam Othman 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.

2026

Uncertain markets have a way of sorting the showboats from the survivors. When investors feel nervous, the best Canadian stocks often share a few simple traits. They sell products or services people still need, they generate reliable cash flow, and they don’t depend on perfect economic weather to keep moving. Insurance, waste collection, and other essential services may not sound thrilling. Yet that’s exactly the point. In a volatile market, boring can look beautiful.

IAG

iA Financial (TSX:IAG) offers insurance, wealth management, savings, and retirement products across Canada and the United States. That gives it a practical place in uncertain times. People may delay vacations or big purchases, but they still need insurance and long-term financial planning. In fact, volatile markets can make households think more seriously about protection, retirement, and financial security.

The numbers also support the case. For 2025, iA reported core earnings per share (EPS) growth of 16%, core return on equity of 17.1%, and assets under management (AUM) and administration of $341.1 billion. That last figure climbed 31% over 12 months, helped by strong segregated fund inflows, markets, and its RF Capital Group acquisition.

Around recent trading levels, IAG sat near 15 times earnings, which doesn’t scream bargain but still looks reasonable for a growing insurer. The risk is that a market downturn could slow wealth growth sales and pressure investor confidence. Even so, iA’s mix of insurance, wealth, capital strength, and dividend growth gives it a sturdy feel. Add in a dividend of 2.2%, and it looks downright welcoming.

WCN

Waste Connections (TSX:WCN) brings the same kind of recession-resistant appeal, just through a different essential service. The company collects, transfers, recycles, and disposes of waste across North America. Garbage pickup isn’t optional. Businesses, homes, municipalities, and construction sites keep producing waste in strong and weak economies. That gives WCN stock a steady base that many companies would love to have.

Its latest results show why WCN stock often earns a premium valuation. In the first quarter of 2026, Waste Connections reported revenue of US$2.37 billion, up from US$2.23 billion a year earlier. Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) rose to US$769.5 million, while adjusted earnings hit US$1.23 per diluted share.

For full-year 2025, revenue reached US$9.47 billion, up 6.1%, with adjusted EBITDA of US$3.13 billion. The catch is valuation. WCN stock rarely looks cheap, and higher fuel or labour costs can pinch margins. Right now, in fact, it trades at 40 times earnings and 21.8 times forward earnings. Yet its pricing power, acquisition pipeline, and essential-service model make it a strong fit when investors want durability. And again, there’s a 0.85% dividend yield, which is small, but not nothing.

Foolish takeaway

The bottom line is simple. Uncertain times don’t call for complicated bets. They call for companies with real demand, strong cash flow, and businesses people keep using no matter what headlines say. IA Financial offers current exposure to insurance and wealth growth. WCN stock adds a quietly powerful defensive layer. And both can still bring in some income with a $7,000 investment.

Together, they show why boring businesses can become very exciting when markets get rough.

The post 3 Canadian Stocks That Look Built for Uncertain Times appeared first on The Motley Fool Canada.

Fool contributor Amy Legate-Wolfe has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Waste Connections. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

2026

It’s tough not to also be invested in U.S. stocks as a Canadian investor, especially when you consider how easy, affordable, and accessible U.S. shares are and the added value they can provide to one’s portfolio. Undoubtedly, it’s nice to be invested in Canadian stocks and to prefer the TSX Index.

That said, home-country bias can take points away not only from your portfolio’s geographic diversification but also from its sector- and industry-wide diversification.

Any way you look at it, I think Canadian investors should think about winning on both sides of the border.

The case for buying U.S. stocks, too

While the names beyond North America might be worth considering as well, I think a Canada-U.S. portfolio is enough to achieve a level of diversification that can help investors win in most market climates. In my view, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 are go-tos for Canadians seeking a bit more growth, while the TSX Index is there for dividends and value. I think you need both, given the potential for growth-to-value rotations and vice versa.

Growth might win in one year, perhaps when rates are headed south, while value triumphs in the next, when rates flatline, market strength broadens, and neglected value names have a chance to catch up. Instead of playing the rotations, I think it makes sense to position for both so that at least a part of your portfolio can pick up the slack when the other side is dragging. Don’t time the market; be ready for anything.

Apple stock is worth buying

When it comes to U.S. stocks, I think Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) stands out as one of the greats worth stashing away for the coming years. It’s one of the greatest consumer gadget companies on Earth.

As the iPhone and the rest of the devices look to become even stickier as their custom silicon and AI progress looks to widen the economic moat, I think it makes sense to hold the name long term, rather than trade based on expectations of what the near future holds.

With long-time CEO Tim Cook ready to hand over his position to John Ternus, who’s a great hardware guy who can also take Apple’s services business to the next level (services really helped Cook take Apple to new heights), I think there’s little to worry about.

Sure, Cook is a legend. But Ternus is ready for the job, and I’d look for him to take Apple to even greater heights as the firm moves ahead with AI and other transformative technologies.

Salesforce stock is too hard to catch on the way down

As for what to avoid, I’d be a bit more cautious when it comes to the software names, especially Salesforce (NYSE:CRM), as the firm looks to convince investors that Agentforce can put the AI-driven disruption fears to rest.

I’m really not sure what to make of the story as the Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) companies look to undergo a vicious shifting of gears. In my opinion, Salesforce is more of a hold than a buy until the firm can give its big, market-moving response to the AI jitters weighing on the industry.

Which software names will be left behind, and which can continue to post big wins? I find it really hard to tell and would rather wait and see than buy in search of a bottom. In my view, Apple is far easier to understand at a time like this, when AI’s disruptive wave gets a bit bigger and hits a bit harder.

The post Thinking of Adding U.S. Stocks? Here’s 1 Canadians Should Avoid and 1 Worth Buying appeared first on The Motley Fool Canada.

Fool contributor Joey Frenette has positions in Apple. The Motley Fool recommends Apple and Salesforce. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

2026

Canada’s big telecom stocks represent some of the best options for investors to generate a reliable passive income stream. That being said, not all of the big telecoms are equal when it comes to dividends.

The one telecom that investors should be paying attention to when it comes to generating passive income is Telus (TSX:T).

Here’s a look at the telecom and why it’s the option to build out an income stream right now.

Telus is a great option for income and growth investors

Canada’s telecom stocks benefit from a lucrative business model that caters to both growth and income-seeking investors.

That’s because they offer a subscription-based business model that provides increasingly necessary services to customers across the country. For Telus, that includes wireless, wireline, internet and TV services.

In recent years, the defensive appeal of those services has only grown, opening a unique path for the telecom to pursue growth.

Concurrently, Telus offers investors growth appeal, too. Telus’ core growth stems from investments into its network. Telus is constantly expanding and building out its wireless infrastructure. That in turn supports customer additions, higher-value bundled services and ultimately better retention.

And that’s just half of the growth story.

Telus is also pushing into digital services, offering solutions in niche markets of the economy, such as healthcare and agriculture. The aim there is simple. Building out recurring, higher margin revenue streams that won’t replace the core subscription business but become complementary to it. It’s a shift from pure-play telecom to a broader, digital services platform.

In summary, across all of its streams, Telus generates a predictable revenue stream that leaves room for Telus to invest in growth initiatives, while also paying one of the best dividends on the market.

This makes Telus a unique, if not ideal mix of scale, stability and yield for investors.

Telus offers an appealing dividend and some risk

One of the biggest reasons investors look to Telus is for its dividend. As of the time of writing, Telus offers investors a quarterly dividend that carries a yield of 9.9%.

That yield is far above any of Telus’s big telecom peers, and handily one of the largest payouts on the market. While the yield reflects the company’s commitment to returning capital, it also highlights the current struggle the telecom is facing.

Telecoms are capital-intensive investments. Building out a 5G network costs billions, and telecoms like Telus rely on borrowing to fund those upgrades.

Following years of higher interest rates, the cost of borrowing surged. This, coupled with investor rotations out of Telus, led the telecom to shed over 30% of its stock price in the past five years.

As a result of the stock price dropping, the yield shot up.

This led to management slashing costs and pausing further dividend increases. That’s less than ideal for Telus over the shorter term, but the company is making the right steps to ensure long-term gains.

In short, Telus is trying to protect its dividend and rebuild financial flexibility, but the current share price and yield point to that taking some time.

How $3,000 in Telus can generate passive income

Investors looking to capitalize on that ultra-high-yield and generate some passive income should consider a small investment in the telecom.

Given the current yield, even a $3,000 position in the stock will provide an income of nearly $300. That’s not enough to retire on, but it is enough to generate a new share each month from reinvestments alone.

This means that while Telus waits for the market to acknowledge its recovery and value, investors can significantly increase their position without new investment. And when Telus does recover, investors will have a passive income machine ready to start paying.

In my opinion, Telus should form a small part of any well-diversified portfolio.

Buy it, hold it, and watch your portfolio (and future passive income) grow.

The post All It Takes is $3,000 in Telus to Generate Hundreds in Passive Income appeared first on The Motley Fool Canada.

Fool contributor Demetris Afxentiou has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends TELUS. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

2026

Plenty of Canadians hold U.S. stocks in a Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA), even if there is no neat public running tally that shows exactly how many do. The CRA publishes TFSA statistics with a lag, not a live breakdown of how many account holders own U.S. names specifically, but the broader trend is hard to miss.

Canadians bought a record amount of U.S. shares in February 2025, and Statistics Canada said Canadian investors bought $133.8 billion of foreign securities in 2025, with most of that aimed at U.S. corporate securities. So yes, Canadians clearly like U.S. exposure, and a lot of that enthusiasm spills into TFSAs.

What to consider

The first thing Canadians should understand is that a TFSA does not make U.S. dividend withholding tax disappear. The account is tax-free in Canada, but the United States still generally withholds 15% on dividends paid by U.S. companies inside a TFSA. That money usually comes off before the dividend lands in the account, and unlike a taxable account, you generally cannot claim a foreign tax credit to recover it. That doesn’t make U.S. stocks a bad idea in a TFSA, but those dividend-heavy U.S. names lose a bit of their shine there.

The second thing is currency. Even great U.S. stocks can underwhelm if investors ignore exchange rates and conversion costs. If you buy in U.S. dollars, your return doesn’t depend only on the stock, but on what the loonie does versus the greenback and how much your brokerage charges to convert cash. That’s fine for long-term investors, but worth remembering that a perfectly good stock pick can still look mediocre after foreign exchange drag.

The third thing is account fit. A TFSA works best when investors hold businesses they can leave alone for years. If a U.S. stock pays little or no dividend and has strong long-term growth potential, the TFSA can still be a very useful home because capital gains stay tax-free in Canada. But if the stock is mostly about income, the Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) often gets better tax treatment on U.S. dividends. That’s why Canadians should think about the type of U.S. stock they are buying, not just whether it is American.

FFH

That’s what makes Fairfax Financial (TSX:FFH) such an interesting fit in this discussion. Fairfax stock is listed on the TSX, so investors can buy it in Canadian dollars, avoiding direct U.S. dividend withholding issues tied to owning a U.S.-listed stock in a TFSA. Then, get meaningful exposure to the United States and global markets through its insurance and investment operations. It’s often described as a Canadian answer to Berkshire Hathaway, and over the last year. it kept acting like one. Fairfax reported 2025 net earnings of US$4.77 billion, up from US$3.87 billion in 2024, while book value per basic share climbed to US$1,260.19 from US$1,059.60.

The business itself is broad and useful for long-term investors. Fairfax owns property and casualty insurers around the world and invests the float those operations generate. Higher interest rates can actually help here, as insurers can earn more on fixed-income investments. Gross premiums written rose to US$33.6 billion in 2025, showing the insurance side is still growing, not just the investment portfolio.

The valuation still looks reasonable, too. Fairfax stock trades at roughly 8 times trailing earnings, which is not demanding for a company that just posted record annual profit. There is risk, of course. Fairfax stock can be lumpy because investment gains and underwriting results do not move in a straight line. But for Canadians who want long-term growth in a TFSA without taking on the direct tax quirks of U.S.-listed dividend stocks, it gives a very practical middle ground.

Bottom line

The main takeaway is simple. U.S. stocks can still make sense in a TFSA, but Canadians should understand the withholding-tax hit on dividends, the currency piece, and the difference between holding a U.S. growth stock and a U.S. income stock. Fairfax stock won’t replace every U.S. name, but it shows there is more than one way to get international exposure in a TFSA without making the account harder to manage than it needs to be.

The post The Key Things to Understand Before Holding U.S. Stocks in a TFSA appeared first on The Motley Fool Canada.

Fool contributor Amy Legate-Wolfe has positions in Fairfax Financial. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Fairfax Financial. The Motley Fool recommends Berkshire Hathaway. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

2026

Positioning for Canada’s infrastructure boom doesn’t mean buying the most obvious mega-project headline and hoping for the best on the TSX today. It means finding companies that can benefit from more building, more maintenance, and more demand for steel, services, and support work as governments and private players spend on transport, energy, industrial sites, and public assets.

The sweet spot often sits with businesses that supply the boring but essential pieces, because those are the ones that can keep winning work even if the market mood shifts.

DRX

ADF Group (TSX:DRX) fabricates and coats steel superstructures used in commercial, industrial, and infrastructure projects across Canada and the United States. Over the last year, it completed the acquisition of Groupe LAR and then announced another $157.3 million in new contracts in April, adding to a record backlog. That gives ADF a visible pipeline of work at a time when investors want proof, not just a story on the TSX today.

The latest annual results were softer, but not weak enough to kill the case. For the fiscal year ended Jan. 31, 2026, revenue came in at $258.7 million, down from $339.6 million, while adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) fell to $43.5 million from $91.3 million and net income dropped to $26.3 million, or $0.93 per share.

Tariffs hurt margins, and that’s the clear risk here. Still, backlog hit a record $561.1 million, up from $293.1 million a year earlier, with 57% tied to Canadian contracts. With the stock up roughly 54% over the last year on the TSX today, investors seem to be looking past the dip and toward the workload ahead.

DXT

Dexterra (TSX:DXT) is the cleanest fit of these two on the TSX today. It provides support services, facilities management, and workforce accommodation tied to infrastructure creation, management, and operation in Canada. That makes it a practical way to invest in the buildout without betting on one single project. Over the last year, Dexterra also bought Right Choice Camps and Catering, which added to its support-services footprint, and it recently set its Q1 2026 reporting date, keeping investor attention on near-term momentum.

The financials look solid. Dexterra reported 2025 revenue of $1 billion, up 3.8%, while adjusted EBITDA rose 16.1% to $113.8 million and earnings jumped to $40.5 million. Q4 revenue increased 9.3% to $271 million. The stock traded around $11.73 on the TSX today, giving it a market cap of about $733 million, and analyst estimates show expected sales growth this year as well.

It’s not flashy, but that may be the appeal. If Canada’s infrastructure boom really is closer than many think, Dexterra looks like the kind of steady operator that could quietly win.

Bottom line

If I were positioning now, I would want one name with direct project leverage, one with support-services exposure, and one with a healthy dose of caution. ADF offers backlog and torque. Dexterra offers steadier execution. The bigger point is simple: the infrastructure boom does not need to fully arrive before the right stocks start moving.

The post Canada’s Infrastructure Boom May Be Closer Than You Think – Here’s How to Position Now appeared first on The Motley Fool Canada.

Fool contributor Amy Legate-Wolfe has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Dexterra Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

2026

Even in uncertain markets, some evergreen investments like real estate rarely lose relevance. Demand for housing doesn’t simply disappear, which is why many investors turn to real estate investment trusts (REITs) for stable income and long-term stability.

Reliable REITs can allow you to benefit from rental income without dealing with the headaches of owning and managing property directly. But what happens when a REIT sees its stock price drop? Is it a warning sign or an opportunity?

In this article, I’ll highlight a top TSX monthly dividend stock from the real estate sector and explain why I still consider it worth owning.

A closer look at CAPREIT’s recent dip

In the world of residential real estate, scale and stability often go hand in hand — and a few stocks have built a reputation around both. Canadian Apartment Properties Real Estate Investment Trust (TSX:CAR.UN), commonly known as CAPREIT, is one of those established players, with a vast portfolio spanning thousands of suites across Canada and Europe. It manages a large portfolio of around 45,500 suites and townhomes across Canada and the Netherlands.

Currently, its stock trades at $36.78 per unit and offers a 4.8% annualized dividend yield, with monthly payouts.

Notably, CAPREIT’s stock has fallen nearly 20% from its 52-week high. At first glance, that drop can make investors cautious. However, short-term price movements don’t always reflect the underlying strength of a business. Much of the recent weakness can be tied to broader market volatility rather than company-specific issues. This is important because it suggests the decline may not be driven by weakening fundamentals.

A stable approach to growth and cash flow

CAPREIT’s latest results can offer you a clearer view of how the business is holding up. In 2025, the REIT’s diluted funds from operations (FFO) stood at $2.541 per unit compared to $2.534 per unit in 2024. This shows the trust is still generating stable cash flow despite a changing market environment.

Its income story also remains intact as CAPREIT increased its annual distribution to $1.546 per unit, while maintaining a reasonable payout ratio of about 60.8%. For income-focused investors, that consistency still matters.

At first glance, its declining total revenue and net operating income (NOI) might look concerning. However, it’s important to understand that those declines were largely driven by CAPREIT’s repositioning strategy. The trust completed about $2 billion in transactions during the year, including $658.6 million in acquisitions and roughly $1.2 billion in dispositions. In short, CAPREIT has been trimming non-core assets to focus on stronger, higher-yielding properties.

On the brighter side, the REIT’s same-property NOI grew 4.7% in 2025, and margins improved to 64.7%. That suggests the properties CAPREIT continues to hold are becoming more efficient with the help of rent growth and better cost control.

This strategy could shape its future

Interestingly, CAPREIT’s strategy is now more about focus than expansion. By selling lower-priority assets and reinvesting in Canadian properties, the trust is aiming to build a more resilient and efficient portfolio.

However, it’s still growing selectively. In 2025, it acquired 15 Canadian properties with nearly 1,900 suites, while exiting thousands of units elsewhere. This balance between acquisitions and dispositions highlights a disciplined approach to capital allocation.

Foolish bottom line

While a 20% drop in its share price can create doubt, CAPREIT’s fundamentals still look balanced. The trust continues to generate steady cash flow, maintain strong occupancy in Canada, and improve performance at the property level.

While portfolio changes may create short-term noise, its long-term strategy remains clear. For investors willing to look past short-term volatility, CAPREIT could still be a stable dividend stock with long-term growth potential.

The post This TSX Dividend Stock Has Fallen 20% – and I’d Still Consider It Worth Owning appeared first on The Motley Fool Canada.

Fool contributor Jitendra Parashar 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 tricky thing about growth stocks is that by the time everyone’s talking about them, a lot of the upside is already gone. That’s why it can pay to look a little earlier – when companies are starting to build momentum but haven’t fully captured the market’s attention yet. Right now, there are some TSX stocks doing exactly that. Even amid market volatility in the background, driven in part by swings in oil prices, some growth-oriented stocks are delivering strong results and setting themselves up for more growth ahead. That’s usually a sign there’s more to the story.

In this article, I’ll highlight two such Canadian growth stocks that could be positioned for a strong run in 2026 and beyond.

Almonty Industries stock: Riding a rare metals boom

Almonty Industries (TSX:AII) has quickly emerged as one of the most talked-about names in the specialty metals industry. The company focuses on tungsten, a critical material used in industrial and defence applications. AII stock currently trades at $29.94 per share, giving it a market cap of $8.5 billion. Over the last 12 months, it has surged an eye-catching 714%, reflecting strong momentum.

A major turning point for the company has been the progress at its Sangdong Mine in South Korea. The recent delivery of the first ore to the run-of-mine pad marked a key transition from development to production. This was a major development because Sangdong is considered one of the largest and highest-grade tungsten deposits globally.

On the financial trends side, the company is seeing strong top-line growth. In the fourth quarter of 2025, Almonty’s revenue rose 39% year-over-year (YoY), supported by a sharp increase in tungsten prices. The average ammonium paratungstate (APT) price jumped 534% YoY to US$2,250 per metric ton unit.

While Almonty reported a net loss of $102.3 million for the quarter, this was largely due to non-cash revaluation losses tied to embedded derivatives. On the brighter side, this did not impact its core operations or liquidity.

With $268.4 million in cash at the end of 2025 and fresh capital raised through a public offering, the company is well-funded to scale production. As global supply constraints persist and demand from Western markets grows, Almonty could play a key role in the tungsten supply chain, which could help its share price continue soaring.

Saturn Oil & Gas stock: Strong execution driving growth

Saturn Oil & Gas (TSX:SOIL) could be another TSX growth story worth considering right now, one that is mainly built on operational efficiency and disciplined execution in the energy sector. Following an impressive run of 287% in the last year, SOIL stock now trades at $6.16 per share with a market cap of $1.1 billion.

In 2025, the company exceeded production guidance and generated record free cash flow of $223 million. This was mainly supported by its strong well performance and continued cost optimization. Similarly, its adjusted funds flow rose 22% YoY to $464 million, even though realized oil prices were 13% lower than the previous year. This shows the company’s ability to grow even in less favourable pricing environments.

Saturn also made meaningful progress on its balance sheet lately, repaying $110 million in debt and ending 2025 with net debt of $761.5 million.

Moreover, the company has identified more than 380 drilling locations, with an estimated net present value of around $450 million. This gives it a clear path for future production growth and value creation.

With a focus on low-decline, light oil assets and disciplined capital management, Saturn appears well-positioned to continue building on its recent momentum.

The post 2 Growth Stocks That Could Be Positioned for a Strong Run in 2026 appeared first on The Motley Fool Canada.

Fool contributor Jitendra Parashar 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

Income-focused investors are navigating an uncertain environment in 2026 due to geopolitical tensions, persistent inflation concerns, and uncertainty around the timing of interest rate cuts. As central banks remain cautious, dividend-paying stocks are back in the spotlight. And the great news is that the Toronto Stock Exchange continues to offer several high-yield opportunities, but yield alone is not sufficient. You may also want to focus on the fundamentals, cash flow coverage, and business stability while analyzing the long-term viability of an investment.

With that in mind, let me highlight a top Canadian monthly dividend stock that stands out for its potential to deliver reliable income with an attractive yield.

Cardinal Energy: An appealing monthly income stock

The dividend stock I find appealing for long-term investors right now is Cardinal Energy (TSX:CJ), a Calgary-based oil and gas company focused on low-decline production assets in Western Canada. What makes it attractive for income investors is its monthly dividend structure, which provides more frequent cash payouts compared to the typical quarterly model.

The stock currently trades at around $12.38 per share and offers a dividend yield of about 5.8%. It has also delivered strong momentum, rising 103% over the last year, reflecting improving investor confidence and stronger operational performance.

The company recently declared a monthly dividend of $0.06 per share, payable in May. This consistent payout is backed by its long-life, low-decline assets, which help Cardinal generate quite stable cash flows even in a volatile commodity environment.

Strong operations supporting cash flows

Despite macroeconomic uncertainties, Cardinal delivered solid operational performance in 2025. The company’s fourth-quarter production reached a record 23,514 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boe/d), driven in part by the successful ramp-up of its Reford 1 thermal project.

For the full year, its production remained stable at around 21,870 boe/d despite a significant 24% year-over-year reduction in capital spending. That’s an important point for income investors as the company managed to maintain output while spending less, highlighting efficiency improvements.

Meanwhile, Cardinal generated adjusted funds flow of $205 million last year, which works out to $1.27 per share. This metric is important because it reflects the cash available to fund dividends, reinvest in the business, or reduce debt. At the same time, the company paid out $116.5 million in dividends during the year, representing a payout ratio of about 94%. While that is on the higher side, it also shows its commitment to returning cash to shareholders.

Growth projects add long-term visibility

Beyond its base business, Cardinal is also investing to boost its long-term growth prospects. Its Reford 1 project reached a nameplate capacity of 6,000 barrels per day in late 2025 and has already exceeded that level in early 2026. The project is operating efficiently, with a steam-oil ratio below 2.5 times, which is considered competitive in the industry.

The company is now moving forward with its second thermal project, Reford 2, which is expected to come online in the second half of 2027. Preparatory work for this project is already in progress, including facility design and drilling plans.

For 2026, Cardinal plans to invest about $160 million and is targeting an average production of 25,000 to 25,500 boe/d. This suggests steady growth ahead, which could support its earnings growth and future dividend stability.

Foolish bottom line

Cardinal Energy offers a compelling mix of high monthly income and operational stability. Its low-decline asset base, steady production profile, and ongoing investment in growth projects support its ability to generate cash over time.

While the payout ratio and leverage levels require monitoring, the company’s consistent dividend policy and improving production outlook make it an attractive stock for investors seeking regular monthly income.

The post Looking for Monthly Income? This 5.8% Dividend Stock Is Worth a Look appeared first on The Motley Fool Canada.

Fool contributor Jitendra Parashar 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