Cannabis stocks such as Canopy Growth Corp. (TSX:WEED) are definitely the story of 2017. Thanks to these high-flying stocks, the TSX is up almost 8% with less than two weeks left in the year. That’s on top of a 21% return in 2016, making stocks expensive.
This time last year, I’d recommended three dividend stocks with growth and value to own in 2017; all three stocks performed poorly this past year, so I’m going to take another kick at the cat.
|
Company |
YTD Performance (through Dec. 15) |
|
Laurentian Bank of Canada (TSX:LB) |
0.21% |
|
Dorel Industries Inc. (TSX:DII.B) |
-16.1% |
|
TransAlta Renewables Inc. (TSX:RNW) |
-3.5% |
Source: Morningstar.ca
To make the list in 2018
In order to qualify for last year’s list, a stock had to have a dividend yield of 3% or higher, a price-to-book ratio of 1.5 or less, and a year-to-date return of 20% or more.
As I said in my previous article, the first criterion appeals to income investors, the second to value investors, and the third to growth investors, providing a nice combination of all three attributes. Given the pitiful performance last year, none of my three picks qualify. Not to worry. Here are three more.
|
Company |
Dividend Yield |
P/B |
YTD Return |
|
Domtar Corp. (TSX:UFS)(NYSE:UFS) |
3.38% |
1.1 |
21.9% |
|
Genworth MI Canada Inc. (TSX:MIC) |
4.32% |
1.0 |
33.6% |
|
AGF Management Limited (TSX:AGF.B) |
3.95% |
0.7 |
36.4% |
Source: Morningstar.ca
Why I like all three stocks
I’d recommended investors absorb Domtar’s 4.4% yield back in October 2016 given its acquisitions would make it more competitive with industry leader Kimberly Clark Corp. and its Depend and Poise brands. So far in 2017, Domtar’s stock has more than doubled the performance of Kimberly Clark.
In fiscal 2017, through the first nine months ended September 30, Domtar’s revenues were flat year over year at $3.8 billion, but its operating income increased by 31% to $195 million on higher volumes in both its personal care and paper businesses. Q4 2017 ought to produce additional growth in both the top and bottom line.
In August, I’d suggested that investors ignore the headlines and buy Genworth stock. Since then, it’s up 19% to almost $44 on solid growth in its net underwriting income, which was up 30% in the first nine months of 2017 to $353 million, and it’s had an 11% increase in its book value to $41.35 per share.
With a solid portfolio of mortgage insurance clients combined with growing premiums earnings, I’d expect its share price to continue higher in 2018.
My final pick I’d recommended in early October, suggesting that despite analysts not liking AGF Management stock, it’s worth owning, because it’s added some good businesses in recent years, making it a better acquisition target. Although I said it was possible for AGF to hit double digits in 2017, it looks as though it’s lost momentum for the time being.
However, come 2018, I see value investors wading back into AGF stock, pushing it higher into double digits.
