3 Dividend Stocks to Buy Today and Hold Forever

Dividend stocks truly pay off when you hold them long-term. Here are three stocks that offer solid dividends and stable growth.

| More on:
A plant grows from coins.

Source: Getty Images

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s premium investing services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn moresdf

Even in this current market, there are dividend stocks out there that Canadian investors should be snatching up and ignoring. I really do mean that. Ignore these stocks and simply set up automated contributions so you can keep feeding into them.

Why do this? Because as many economists will tell the everyday investor, it’s not about timing the market, it’s about time in the market. While getting a deal is great, and right now, deals are easy to find, it’s all about how long you hold these stocks.

In the case of the three dividend stocks I’m about to discuss, you get access to solid dividends and stable growth. So, let’s get to it.

Canadian Utilities

The utility sector is one of the safest places for investors seeking dividend stocks. And one of the safest in this sector has to be Canadian Utilities (TSX:CU). It’s the only Dividend King on the TSX today. That means it has increased its dividend every single year for 50 years! And not by just a few percentages. In the case of Canadian Utilities stock, the dividend has increased by about 7% every year for the last decade.

But what’s also great about dividend stocks in the utility sector like Canadian Utilities, is that they offer stable growth. Year after year, session after session, this company has rebounded and offered its investors stable long-term income.

In the past decade, shares have grown by 77% for a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of about 6%. Even this year, shares are up 14% year-to-date. Plus, you can currently lock in an attractive 4.37% dividend yield.

BMO

Investors seeking dividend stocks should also consider the Big Six Banks. In some cases, bank stocks have been around for almost 200 years if not longer. In fact, Bank of Montreal (TSX:BMO)(NYSE:BMO) has been around for over two hundred years now, and in that time, shares have climbed higher and higher. The bank has also continued to increase its dividend.

BMO is an incredibly stable stock, as you can see from its historical performance. During each of the recessions over the past few decades, BMO stock has managed to bounce back to pre-fall prices within a year’s time.

So, while shares of BMO stock are down by about 4.5% year-to-date at the time of this writing, it offers an attractive 4.41% dividend yield, and trades at just 7.6 times earnings. Shares have grown by 226% in the last decade alone, offering investors annual growth of around 12.6%.

Magna

Finally, if you’re looking for dividend stocks that also offer strong growth potential, I would consider Magna International (TSX:MG)(NYSE:MGA). This car manufacturer is a superior option for investors seeking a company that’s down now but won’t be for long.

Magna stock has traded down due to inflation, interest rates, and supply chain disruptions that are all getting in the way of revenue growth. However, the company has partnered with major car manufacturers and LG Electronics to create electric components for today’s internal combustion engine vehicles, and tomorrow’s electric vehicles. This makes it an ideal choice for investors who are willing to buy and hold long-term, as dividend stocks in the electric vehicle industry climb.

Magna stock currently trades down 28% year-to-date, so you can lock in its 3.21% dividend yield. Yet in the last decade, it’s still up by 307%, offering a CAGR of 15.06%.

This article represents the opinion of the writer, who may disagree with the “official” recommendation position of a Motley Fool premium service or advisor. We’re Motley! Questioning an investing thesis — even one of our own — helps us all think critically about investing and make decisions that help us become smarter, happier, and richer, so we sometimes publish articles that may not be in line with recommendations, rankings or other content.

Fool contributor Amy Legate-Wolfe has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Magna Int’l. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

More on Dividend Stocks

growing plant shoots on stacked coins
Dividend Stocks

5 Dividend Stocks to Buy With Yields Upwards of 5%

These five companies all earn tonnes of cash flow, making them some of the best long-term dividend stocks you can…

Read more »

funds, money, nest egg
Dividend Stocks

TFSA Investors: 3 Stocks to Start Building an Influx of Passive Income

A TFSA is the ideal registered account for passive income, as it doesn't weigh down your tax bill, and any…

Read more »

A red umbrella stands higher than a crowd of black umbrellas.
Dividend Stocks

3 of the Safest Dividend Stocks in Canada

Royal Bank of Canada stock is one of the safest TSX dividend stocks to buy. So is CT REIT and…

Read more »

Growing plant shoots on coins
Dividend Stocks

1 of the Top Canadian Growth Stocks to Buy in February 2023

Many top Canadian growth stocks represent strong underlying businesses, healthy financials, and organic growth opportunities.

Read more »

stock research, analyze data
Dividend Stocks

Wherever the Market Goes, I’m Buying These 3 TSX Stocks

Here are three TSX stocks that could outperform irrespective of the market direction.

Read more »

woman data analyze
Dividend Stocks

1 Oversold Dividend Stock (Yielding 6.5%) to Buy This Month

Here's why SmartCentres REIT (TSX:SRU.UN) is one top dividend stock that long-term investors should consider in this current market.

Read more »

IMAGE OF A NOTEBOOK WITH TFSA WRITTEN ON IT
Dividend Stocks

Better TFSA Buy: Enbridge Stock or Bank of Nova Scotia

Enbridge and Bank of Nova Scotia offer high yields for TFSA investors seeking passive income. Is one stock now undervalued?

Read more »

Golden crown on a red velvet background
Dividend Stocks

2 Top Stocks Just Became Canadian Dividend Aristocrats

These two top Canadian Dividend Aristocrats stocks are reliable companies with impressive long-term growth potential.

Read more »