Investing in dividend stocks could generate steady income. Moreover, among these Canadian stocks, some offer relatively high dividend yields and monthly cash payments. For investors who rely on regular income, these stocks can feel similar to receiving a paycheque. The steady cash flow can help cover living expenses or be reinvested.

That said, dividend stocks should not be judged by yield or payment frequency. Dividends are never guaranteed, and a very high yield can sometimes be a warning sign. In many cases, unusually high yields occur because the company’s share price has fallen. A declining share price may reflect operational challenges, weakening financial performance, or a dividend payout that the company may struggle to maintain.

For this reason, investors should look for companies with dependable dividend payouts, supported by strong fundamentals. Businesses that can deliver profitable growth, maintain healthy cash flow, and maintain or increase dividends are better positioned to sustain payouts over time.

Against this background, here is a monthly paying stock with a 6.6% dividend yield worth considering.

A reliable monthly-paying stock with 6.6% dividend yield

SmartCentres REIT (TSX:SRU.UN) is a dependable option for investors seeking consistent monthly income. The real estate investment trust pays $0.154 per share each month, yielding approximately 6.6% annually. This relatively high yield and steady distribution history make the REIT an attractive dividend stock.

SmartCentres’s monthly distributions are well-protected. Its high-quality real estate portfolio continues to generate solid net operating income (NOI), supporting its payouts. Many of its properties are situated in prime retail locations, which helps sustain strong leasing demand and maintain high lease renewal rates. These factors support stable rental revenue growth over time and contribute to the REIT’s consistent and resilient cash flows.

SmartCentres’s recent performance

SmartCentres ended 2025 on a solid note, driven by strong tenant demand across its portfolio and high occupancy. The REIT ended the year with an occupancy rate of 98.6%, reflecting the continued appeal of its properties. Its same-property NOI increased 3.7% year over year, driven by leasing and renewal activity in its retail assets, along with stabilization in occupancy levels in its self-storage and apartment rental segments.

The company witnesses strong leasing activity throughout the year. In the fourth quarter alone, approximately 35,500 square feet of previously vacant space was leased, bringing total leasing for 2025 to roughly 430,000 square feet. Demand for its newly developed retail space also remained strong. Lease renewals generated rent growth of 8.4%, excluding anchor tenants, while the REIT collected more than 99% of its rental revenue. This high collection rate shows the stability of SmartCentres’s tenant base and the reliability of its cash flow.

Strong customer traffic across the REIT’s retail centers has further supported tenant performance and encouraged SmartCentres to diversify its property mix. Its premium outlet locations continue to attract significant visitor volumes, helping drive tenant sales and improve the value of its retail portfolio.

Looking ahead, SmartCentres is expanding beyond retail through a growing pipeline of mixed-use developments. This strategy is intended to diversify revenue sources while leveraging the REIT’s substantial land holdings and strong balance sheet to support long-term growth.

Earn $154 in monthly passive income with SmartCentres REIT

SmartCentres REIT is a reliable income-generating investment known for its consistent monthly dividend payments and attractive yield. At the current market price, buying 1,000 shares of SmartCentres REIT can generate approximately $154 in monthly dividend income. On an annual basis, this equates to more than $1,848 in dividend earnings.

The post A Monthly-Paying TSX Stock With a 6.6% Dividend Yield appeared first on The Motley Fool Canada.

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Fool contributor Sneha Nahata 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. 

Valued at a market cap of $1.8 billion, Spin Master (TSX:TOY) stock is down almost 70% from its all-time high. However, the ongoing pullback has increased the forward yield to over 2.5% as of April 2026.

Spin Master has trailed the broader markets in recent years due to the tariff war, retail inventory cuts, and headwinds in the Melissa & Doug business segment. Alternatively, the TSX dividend stock could gain momentum on the back of a growing digital games portfolio and an upcoming PAW Patrol movie.

Tariffs rattled U.S. consumer confidence in 2025. Retailers, nervous about demand, started cutting back on orders and drawing down their inventory stockpiles instead of replenishing them. That hurt Spin Master’s toy sales even though consumer point-of-sale data, actual purchases by real shoppers, grew year over year.

In other words, people were still buying Spin Master products. The retailers just weren’t restocking as aggressively, creating a mismatch between what was selling and what Spin Master was shipping.

CFO Jonathan Roiter addressed this directly on the company’s Q4 earnings call. He noted that toy gross product sales declined 8% in 2025, driven almost entirely by an estimated 12% reduction in retailer inventory levels.

Critically, he added that the company does not expect significant further reductions, which means the drag that hurt 2025 results is unlikely to repeat.

Melissa & Doug, the wooden toy brand that Spin Master acquired, took the sharpest hit. Almost all of its sales were in the U.S., and nearly all of its manufacturing was in China, a tough combination in a tariff environment.

The company took a non-cash goodwill impairment charge as a result. That’s a painful write-down, but it’s also a one-time accounting adjustment, not a sign of a broken business.

The bull case for the TSX dividend stock

Despite ongoing headwinds, Spin Master generated $308 million in operating cash flow in 2025. It returned $80 million to shareholders through dividends and share buybacks, reducing its share count by approximately 7% over the past three years.

• Revenue in the digital games business rose 20% year over year. This growth was tied to stronger engagement on Toca Boca World and growing subscription momentum in Piknik.
• Adjusted operating income in Digital Games rose 24% in Q4. This is a high-margin, fast-growing part of the business that the market tends to overlook when it’s fixated on tariff headlines.

CEO Christina Miller outlined three core priorities on the earnings call: capturing the PAW Patrol movie moment, fully realizing Toca Boca’s potential, and returning Melissa & Doug to growth.

The PAW Patrol film releases globally in August. The company will recognize approximately $20 million in distribution revenue in the third quarter, per Roiter, with additional upside if the movie outperforms at the box office.

Retailer feedback from New York Toy Fair was described as “very positive,” and Spin Master’s movie-related toy lineup for PAW Patrol is already generating excitement.

Melissa & Doug is expanding internationally, gaining shelf space, introducing new product lines, including infant products, and targeting new retail doors in both the U.S. and Europe.

The dividend is poised to grow

Spin Master pays shareholders an annual dividend of $0.48 per share, which translates to a yield of 2.6%. Analysts forecast the small-cap TSX stock to expand its free cash flow (FCF) from $109.6 million in 2026 to $211 million in 2030.

Comparatively, an annual dividend expense of roughly $49 million indicates a payout ratio of 45%, which is not too high. A widening FCF base could translate to a higher dividend payout, enhancing the yield at cost for early investors.

Spin Master is a buy-and-hold story, not a get-rich-quick trade. The stock may stay choppy as tariff headlines continue. But for investors with a long-term view, buying a company with iconic children’s brands, a growing digital platform, and strong cash generation, at a 68% discount is the kind of opportunity that tends to look obvious in hindsight.

The post 1 Ideal TSX Dividend Stock, Down 68%, to Buy and Hold for a Lifetime appeared first on The Motley Fool Canada.

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Fool contributor Aditya Raghunath 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.

Oil and gas stocks saw some correction in April after the U.S.-Israel–Iran war sent them to a new all-time high in March. Canada’s two largest natural gas producers — Canadian Natural Resources (TSX:CNQ) and Tourmaline Oil (TSX:TOU) — saw their stock prices fall 8.9% and 12.8%, respectively, from their all-time highs of March 20, 2026. The dip came when the U.S. and Iran announced a two-week ceasefire on April 8, looking to reach negotiations. West Texas Intermediate crossed US$110 and then fell below US$100. Is this dip similar to the June 2022 dip after the Russia-Ukraine war? It is difficult to tell.

The repeat of the 2022 energy shock

When Russia waged a war on Ukraine in February 2022, oil prices touched US$125 in four months and then witnessed a sharp correction of 20-25% in a month. An 8.9% dip does not signal a sharp correction but rather profit booking by investors. The stock could rise further if the Iran situation escalates. At present, no other country is participating in the war, and America is losing patience with the cost of the war.

If the war ends sooner than expected, oil and gas prices could stabilize immediately, and if the war continues, they may stabilize in a year. Take the case of the Russia-Ukraine war, the oil price fell drastically from over US$100 in June 2022 to US$91 in August, to US$76 in December 2022, to US$68 in May 2023. During this one year, the largest oil consumers secured an alternate oil supply to ease the energy shock. Russia’s oil export shifted from Europe to Southeast Asia and from the U.S. dollar to other currencies. Europe started buying oil from the U.S. and Canada.

This history could repeat itself with the war in Iran, as sanctions on Iran no longer apply, and oil consumers will find alternative sources. Another shift in the supply chain could revise the oil prices. Canada could emerge as the alternative supplier.

Canadian stock to benefit from supply chain shift

Canada is seizing this opportunity and diversifying its export markets. It started operations of its first liquified natural gas (LNG) export facility, LNG Canada, in June 2025. It is building Phase 2 of LNG Canada and two more facilities, Woodfire LNG and Cedar LNG. By the end of the decade, Canada could export more LNG.

Canadian Natural Resources and Tourmaline Oil will be the key beneficiaries of this export opportunity, as they have the largest natural gas reserves and a cost advantage. Every dip is a buying opportunity for these stocks as a new market will open up for Canadian natural gas producers.

Until now, they exported largely to the United States, which itself has rich oil and gas reserves and could not get a better price for LNG. Now, when they diversify their markets, their production capacity could increase, which means the share price may not see steep corrections.

The next three to four years could see volatility and a share price rally. CNQ will use these cyclical gains to reduce its debt from $16 billion to $13 billion to ensure its financing cost does not increase its breakeven price. Tourmaline also plans to reduce its net debt to zero over the next two years by diverting surplus cash flows to debt repayment.

Canadian Natural Resources is a stock worth holding for decades

Between Tourmaline and Canadian Natural Resources, the latter is a stock to buy and hold for decades for its strong dividend growth. Canadian Natural Resources has been paying and growing dividends for 25 years in a row. Although the dividend growth rate has slowed from double-digit to single-digit in the last two years, it is a stock worth buying. You could consider investing $2,000 on every 8-10% dip and lock in a 3.8-4% yield.

The post This Canadian Dividend Stock Is Down 8.9% — and Worth Holding for Decades appeared first on The Motley Fool Canada.

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• If the Market Has You Nervous, These 3 Canadian Dividend Stocks Are Worth a Look
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Fool contributor Puja Tayal has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Canadian Natural Resources and Tourmaline Oil. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Building long-term wealth in a Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) often comes down to owning the right businesses and simply holding onto them. The best TFSA stocks have the ability to grow and adapt over many years. When you find companies with solid fundamentals, consistent earnings, and reliable dividends, they could become core holdings you never feel the need to sell.

In this article, I’ll highlight two such Canadian stocks that could fit perfectly into a long-term TFSA portfolio.

Nutrien stock

The first TFSA-friendly stock is Nutrien (TSX:NTR), a global provider of crop inputs and services. The company supplies essential fertilizers and agricultural solutions through a wide distribution network, helping farmers improve productivity worldwide. It mainly operates through four main segments: retail, potash, nitrogen, and phosphate.

Following a 45% increase in the last year, Nutrien’s stock trades at $102.59 per share with a market cap of $49.4 billion. It also offers a quarterly dividend with a yield of 2.9%, making it even more attractive for income-focused TFSA investors.

Over the last year, Nutrien’s performance has been driven by higher fertilizer prices, strong upstream sales volumes, and improved Retail earnings. In its full-year 2025 results, the company reported net earnings of US$2.3 billion and adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) of US$6.05 billion. In the fourth quarter, its strong free cash flow generation and around US$900 million from asset divestitures helped it reduce debt and increase shareholder returns by 30%.

Nutrien continues to focus on improving margins and simplifying its portfolio by exploring strategic options, which could accelerate its financial growth further in the long run.

Northland Power stock

Northland Power (TSX:NPI) could be another great dividend-paying stock for TFSA investors to hold forever. It’s a global power producer that operates a diversified portfolio of energy assets, including offshore wind, solar, battery storage, natural gas, and regulated utilities. It currently has around 3.5 gigawatts (GW) of operating capacity with another 2.2 GW under construction.

After gaining 27% in the last year, NPI stock currently trades close to $24 per share with a market cap of $6.2 billion. More importantly, the company pays a monthly dividend with a yield of 3%.

In the fourth quarter of 2025, Northland posted revenue of $723 million as its net profit also rose to $290 million. During the quarter, the company’s free cash flow per share increased to $0.46 from $0.31 a year ago.

Factors such as strong wind production from its offshore assets in Germany and the expansion of battery storage projects continue to help Northland post strong results. It recently also introduced a strategy to double its operating capacity to seven GW by 2030.

Moreover, Northland Power is advancing several major projects, including the 1.1-GW Baltic Power project expected in the second half of 2026 and the one-GW Hai Long project targeted for 2027. Similarly, it’s also expanding its battery storage pipeline with new projects in Poland, strengthening its long-term growth outlook.

The post The Canadian Stocks I’d Buy and Never Sell in a TFSA appeared first on The Motley Fool Canada.

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

Investing in the equity market with a long-term outlook, such as a five-year horizon, can be a solid strategy for building wealth while navigating market volatility. Over time, short-term fluctuations tend to smooth out, allowing investors to benefit from the broader upward trajectory that equities have historically shown.

Moreover, a few high-quality Canadian stocks have pulled back, creating a buying opportunity. While there are fundamentally strong stocks that are likely to benefit from sustained demand for their products and offerings,

Against this backdrop, here are five Canadian stocks to buy and hold for the next five years.

Top Canadian stock #1: Shopify

Shopify (TSX:SHOP) is a top Canadian stock to buy and hold for the next five years. SHOP stock has fallen by more than 28% this year due to macroeconomic uncertainty, valuation concerns, and concerns about AI’s impact on software companies.

In addition, market sentiment weakened for the Canadian tech giant after slower revenue growth and a softer free cash flow outlook for early 2026.

Still, Shopify’s underlying fundamentals remain strong. In 2025, gross merchandise volume rose 29% to $378 billion, and revenue climbed 30% to over $11.5 billion. This momentum will likely sustain as growth is driven by expanding merchants, strong adoption of Shop Pay, momentum in B2B and offline commerce, and rising demand for its Plus platform. These factors position Shopify to deliver solid growth amid a shift in selling models towards omnichannel and AI-driven commerce.

Top Canadian stock #2: Air Canada

Air Canada (TSX:AC) stock is a strong long-term investment despite short-term challenges. Higher operating costs, elevated fuel prices, geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, and weaker Canada–U.S. travel demand pressured margins in the near term.

However, the airline is expanding international routes and strengthening its global hub network, with growing revenue from Atlantic, Pacific, and Latin American markets. Strong premium-travel demand and diversified income from Aeroplan, cargo, and vacation services support earnings.

While 2026 will likely be a transition year due to cost pressures and fleet upgrades, these investments should boost efficiency and drive stronger performance from 2027 onward.

Top Canadian stock #3: CES Energy

CES Energy (TSX:CEU) is a compelling Canadian stock to hold over the next five years. The company supplies specialized chemical solutions that help oil and gas producers boost output, improve efficiency, and protect key infrastructure.

Rising demand for advanced chemicals and targeted acquisitions have strengthened its financials and supported share price growth. Its asset-light model generates steady free cash flow, enabling reinvestment and shareholder returns. Moreover, higher upstream activity in North America and its strong U.S. revenue base position CES Energy for sustained growth for years.

Top Canadian stock #4: SECURE Waste Infrastructure

SECURE Waste Infrastructure (TSX:SES) is an attractive growth stock to hold for the next five years. It operates a waste-management and energy infrastructure network across Western Canada and North Dakota, serving multiple industrial and energy markets through facilities such as landfills, recycling operations, pipelines, and storage terminals.

Strong operational performance has given SECURE stock a boost, and the upward momentum will likely be sustained. Recent results remain solid, including $372 million in Q4 2025 revenue, up 10% year over year. With new infrastructure projects, capacity expansions, and disciplined capital spending, SECURE appears well-positioned for continued growth and to return significant cash to shareholders.

Top Canadian stock #5: Aritzia

Aritzia (TSX:ATZ) is a top Canadian stock to buy and hold. The leading Canadian fashion retailer witnesses strong demand for its exclusive brands. Since fiscal 2020, the company has delivered double-digit revenue and earnings growth, while online sales have risen about 33% annually.

Looking ahead, Aritzia’s growth is likely to be driven by a loyal customer base, disciplined inventory management, and strong full-price sales. Despite potential short-term pressure from tariffs and logistics costs, Aritzia continues to expand its boutiques across Canada and the U.S. while strengthening its digital platforms and mobile shopping experience. Overall, it is poised to grow its revenue and earnings at a solid pace, which will support its share price.

The post 5 Canadian Stocks Worth Buying Today and Holding for the Next 5 Years appeared first on The Motley Fool Canada.

More reading

• Missed the RRSP Deadline? Here’s 1 Move to Make Now
• 1 Top Growth Stock to Buy in April
• If I Had $10,000 to Invest in Canadian Stocks Today, Here’s What I’d Buy
• A Perfect TFSA Pair for 2026: 2 Stocks I’d Buy Now
• 5 Great Canadian Stocks to Buy Right Away With $5,000

Fool contributor Sneha Nahata has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Aritzia and Shopify. The Motley Fool recommends Air Canada, Ces Energy Solutions, and Secure Waste Infrastructure Corp. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

If you had $2,000 ready to invest today, the real question isn’t whether to invest – it’s where to put that money for the best long-term returns. While the Canadian stock market offers plenty of choices, focusing on strong, proven businesses could make a big difference in the long run. Some sectors, especially energy, continue to show resilience and consistent performance in 2026. In this article, I’ll highlight two such Canadian stocks from the energy sector that could be worth considering right now.

Suncor Energy stock

Suncor Energy (TSX:SU) is a Calgary-based integrated energy firm with operations across oil sands, exploration and production, refining, and marketing. It also operates the Petro-Canada retail network, giving it a strong downstream presence. SU stock currently trades at $89.41 per share with a market cap of $106.1 billion. Over the last year, it has surged 92%, reflecting strong investor confidence. It also offers a quarterly dividend with a 2.7% yield.

Suncor’s recent performance has been driven by strong operational execution. In the fourth quarter of 2025, its adjusted funds from operations stood at $3.2 billion, and free funds flow was $1.7 billion. The company returned about $1.5 billion to shareholders through dividends and share buybacks.

Operationally, Suncor delivered record upstream production of 909,000 barrels per day, significantly higher than a year ago. At the same time, its refining throughput also reached a record 504,000 barrels per day, with refinery utilization at 108%. These efficiencies supported its strong financial results.

Interestingly, Suncor plans to return 100% of excess funds to shareholders in 2026, with projected share repurchases of $3.3 billion. It’s also investing in lower-emissions power and renewable fuels, which could support its long-term growth.

TC Energy stock

TC Energy (TSX:TRP) could be another great stock to invest in right now. It operates one of the largest natural gas pipeline networks in North America, along with a growing portfolio of power generation and energy solutions. TRP stock currently trades at $86.11 per share with a market cap of $89.7 billion. Over the last 6 months, it has gained 17% and currently offers a dividend yield of 4%.

In the fourth quarter, TC Energy posted strong results with its comparable EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) rising 13% year-over-year (YoY) to $3 billion. Meanwhile, its segmented earnings also increased by 15% YoY to $2.2 billion.

For the full year, the company’s comparable EBITDA climbed 9% from a year ago to reach $11 billion. It also raised its dividend by 3.2%, marking its 26th consecutive year of dividend growth. With this, TRP stock’s annual dividend now stands at $3.51 per share.

Despite the ongoing geopolitical conflicts, TC Energy continues to invest in future growth. The company expects to bring about $4 billion in new capacity online in 2026, including projects like Bison XPress, Valhalla North, Berland River, and Bruce Power Unit 3. These investments are likely to support its long-term expansion plans and financial targets.

The post The Canadian Stocks I’d Buy First If I Had $2,000 to Put to Work Today appeared first on The Motley Fool Canada.

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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.

The April 30 tax filing deadline is nearing. You must be busy crunching the numbers, finding tax savings possibilities. It is already too late to invest in a Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) and claim a deduction on the contributed amount for the 2025 tax year. While an RRSP can’t help you reduce your 2025 tax, a Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) can help you earn investment income equivalent to the amount of tax savings.

Millionaires and investors always look for ways to earn more to make up for losses and devise a strategy to not repeat the mistake.

1 move to compensate for a missed RRSP deadline

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) allows Canadians to contribute 18% of their taxable income from the previous year up to a certain limit (2025 limit of $32,490). Even if you missed your RRSP deadline, the 2025 contribution room will carry forward to next year.

What you can do is invest the amount you planned for an RRSP in a Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) if you have sufficient TFSA contribution room. Even a TFSA can help you build a retirement pool. In fact, its tax-free withdrawals are a much better mode of retirement passive income than an RRSP’s taxable withdrawals.

The TFSA will take care of the retirement savings. As for tax savings, you can invest in growth stocks now and earn back the amount paid in taxes through capital gains, which you can withdraw tax-free.

Compensate RRSP tax savings with TFSA income

Suppose Amy has an annual taxable income of $80,000 in 2024. Her RRSP contribution room is $14,400. She planned to invest $7,000 in an RRSP in 2025 and achieve tax savings of $1,435 at a 20.5% tax rate, but missed the deadline.

Amy can instead invest that $7,000 in a TFSA, as that is the 2026 contribution limit set by the CRA. That amount can be invested in Shopify (TSX:SHOP) or Kinross Gold (TSX:K) as these stocks could surge more than 20% in the next six to eight months. Had you invested this amount in these stocks through an RRSP, the withdrawals up to $5,000 would be taxed at 10% and between $5,001 and $15,000 at 20% until retirement, negating the current tax savings.

Even though you pay the $1,435 tax now, the $7,000 TFSA investment can earn you way more than $1,435 in the long term, and all that amount would be tax-free. Shopify can double your money in five years with its consistent 30% revenue growth and double-digit free cash flow margins, adding to its share price.

Kinross Gold’s share price could rally as the gold price increases amid central bank buying. The tariffs, wars, and increasing credit risk of US Treasuries could push central banks to increase their gold reserves. Since gold supply is limited, the gold price could double in a year. The gold stock has already surged 29% from the March dip due to the Iran war. Those who bought the dip have already recovered the 20.5% tax rate through capital appreciation.

1 move to avoid missing the RRSP deadline in the future

While a TFSA presents a good opportunity, one should also make the most of an RRSP. The key reason for missing the RRSP deadline is last-minute tax planning. Instead, one should make investing a habit. Consider investing $500 per month in an RRSP. It will not be heavy on your pocket. Plus, you can take advantage of dollar-cost averaging and reduce your overall cost per share.

An ideal RRSP stock to invest $500 per month in is a dividend stock like Granite REIT (TSX:GRT.UN). Granite REIT’s stock hovers between $65 and $80 throughout the year, because of which its annual yield is in the 3.6–5.5% range. The REIT gives monthly payouts, which you can reinvest, as RRSP withdrawals are taxable.

Staying invested in the long term can help you benefit from the 4% average annual dividend growth. This REIT’s key advantage is its portfolio of 141 warehouse and distribution centres across North America and Europe.

Investor takeaway

There is always an alternative to missed opportunities if you look carefully and change your approach. Never stop investing, as the market rewards those who spend time in the market.

The post Missed the RRSP Deadline? Here’s 1 Move to Make Now appeared first on The Motley Fool Canada.

More reading

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• 1 Top Growth Stock to Buy in April
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• A Reliable Monthly Dividend Stock With a 3.9% Yield Worth Knowing About 

The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Shopify. The Motley Fool recommends Granite Real Estate Investment Trust. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Fool contributor Puja Tayal has no position in any of the stocks mentioned.

After a bruising first quarter of the year, now seems like a decent time to start thinking about picking up shares of a growth play, now that such names are still out of favour on Wall and Bay Street. Sure, some growth names, especially in the AI scene, still trade at rich premiums. But, for the most part, multiples have come down by quite a bit. And if you’re a long-term investor who can see through the concerning headlines, I think it makes sense to start being a bit more optimistic with the stocks that way too many investors are quick to count out of the game.

It’s hard to be a bull when there are so many bears around you, but if you want to be a value investor, sometimes, buying something after a market panic is the best way to go. While I have no idea if the recent market rally is the real deal or if we’ll be right back to the year’s lows by the week, I do think that there are good deals to be had as investors digest the wave of choppiness that just hit them.

So, what are the top growth plays to target this month?

I’d personally look to the tech sector for unloved names that may have been discounted at the hands of new tech tools by Anthropic and OpenAI.

Sure, agents and AI are going to disrupt, but I think it’s quite absurd to just sell anything that’s software-related at a time like this. Of course, just because you’re brave enough to buy the dip in the hardest-hit corner of tech does not mean you should ignore the risks.

Technological disruption can be quite dangerous if you underestimate it. And since AI is one of the fastest-rising, most disruptive technologies we’ve had in a while, I do think being careful with which names to pick from the rubble is the move for contrarians.

Shopify stock has legs amid the rise of agentic commerce

Shopify (TSX:SHOP) is one of the beaten-down tech names that I think won’t be left behind as AI takes off and agents become more involved in the day-to-day operations. With the stock marching more than 3% higher on Monday as a part of a broader relief rally in software, I think it’s time to start viewing Shopify as less of a stock that’s in danger from the rise of AI agents and more as a company that could monetize the technology in a massive way. But what makes me so bullish about Shopify compared to most other firms?

I think it lies in the merchant base, which, in my opinion, won’t be so quick to start up shop on some other AI-native competing platform. Arguably, Shopify is becoming more AI-native by the day as the firm rolls out new technologies and standards to enable the rise of agentic commerce. Sure, it’s hard to tell if Shopify will be more of a disruptor (with agents and AI tools) than a firm that could lose share to AI.

But at the end of the day, I do think the firm is well-positioned to generate considerable cash flows as AI becomes more monetizable. Even if Anthropic narrows its focus on e-commerce, which I think should be expected, Shopify has the data, the magic (AI tools), the convenience (payments), and, perhaps most importantly, the trust of merchants.

And if Shopify can help merchants unlock the power of agents, I do think that merchants will save more, sell more, and ultimately stick within that Shopify ecosystem, even if it means taking a pass on rival products out there. At the end of the day, Shopify is investing heavily in many of the next-level innovations that most other non-specialist AI model makers are.

The post 1 Top Growth Stock to Buy in April appeared first on The Motley Fool Canada.

More reading

• 5 Canadian Stocks Worth Buying Today and Holding for the Next 5 Years
• Missed the RRSP Deadline? Here’s 1 Move to Make Now
• If I Had $10,000 to Invest in Canadian Stocks Today, Here’s What I’d Buy
• A Perfect TFSA Pair for 2026: 2 Stocks I’d Buy Now
• Got $5,000? 5 Tech Stocks to Buy and Hold for the Long Term

Fool contributor Joey Frenette has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Shopify. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Intact Financial Corp. (TSX:IFC) is the largest provider of property and casualty (P&C) insurance in Canada and a leading international provider. The company has a history of excellence and growth that has been accompanied by strong bottom line results. Not surprisingly, Intact stock has provided its shareholders with exceptional and reliable dividend growth.

So, let’s look into whether Intact Financial Corporation is worth buying for its dividend.

Intact Financial – A strong dividend history

Since Intact stock’s IPO back in 2004, the company has posted 21 consecutive years of dividend growth. Similarly, in the last 10 years, Intact’s annual dividend per share has grown at a compound annual growth rate, or CAGR, of 10% to the current $5.88.

Also, in the last 10 years, Intact stock has provided a 15% 10-year annualized total shareholder return, outpacing the TSX. This was made possible due to Intact’s strong growth strategy, which has driven a 12% CAGR in its net operating income per share (NOIPS) to the current $19.21.

This growth strategy has been underpinned by a successful acquisition strategy that aims to consolidate the P&C insurance market, which remains highly fragmented at this time. This, along with organic growth efforts, has driven strong top-line growth.

As you can see from Intact Financial’s stock price graph above, the company’s success has rewarded its shareholders in the long run.

Earnings performance

In the last many quarters, Intact stock has handily beat expectations. In fact, for 2025, earnings per share (EPS) of $19.20 beat expectations by almost 20%. This was driven by strong and improving margins, higher operating income and lower-than-expected catastrophe losses over the last 12 months.

Intact will report its first quarter 2026 earnings on May 1^st. Analysts are expecting EPS of $4.08 compared to $4.01 in the same period in the prior year.

Looking ahead

Intact stock’s dividend is currently providing a dividend yield of 2.3%. This yield is a respectable one, and it’s backed up and supported by some really strong fundamentals. For example, Intact has consistently generated the highest return on equity (ROE) in the business. In the fourth quarter of 2025, Intact Financial stock’s ROE was almost 20%, and was accompanied by a strong 46% increase in its EPS to $5.24.

Looking ahead, Intact continues to have a number of competitive advantages that it will likely continue to benefit from.  For example, its size and scale give the company access to a vast number of claims information that is used to accurately identify trends, more accurately model risk, and help with pricing of its various products. Intact also benefits from this in the claims and rebuilding process. Intact has priority service, lower material costs, and preferred terms with suppliers.

The bottom line

It is true that the P&C industry can be unpredictable, as natural catastrophes are impossible to predict and quite expensive. However, Intact has shown the ability to manage this extremely well over the long term, creating significant shareholder value and, of course, a reliable and growing dividend.

So, in closing, I would definitely buy Intact Financial Corporation stock for its dividend. I would also buy it for its strong growth prospects in existing and new verticals and markets, which are likely to drive Intact’s stock price even higher over the long run.

The post One Year On: Is Intact Financial Still Worth Buying for its Dividend? appeared first on The Motley Fool Canada.

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Fool contributor Karen Thomas has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Intact Financial. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Contrarian investors are constantly searching for struggling stocks to add to their self-directed Tax-Free Savings Account or Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) portfolios focused on dividends and total returns.

Buying unloved stocks takes courage and requires the patience to ride out additional potential downside before the stock recovers. Sometimes the turnaround never happens, so the risks have to be weighed against the potential rewards. However, good companies normally rebound and the upside can be significant.

Canadian National Railway

Canadian National Railway (TSX:CNR) trades near $153 per share at the time of writing compared to nearly $180 two years ago. The stock is up about 13% in 2026 on optimism that things could turn around for the rail sector later this year.

Tariffs and ongoing trade negotiations between Canada, the United States and Mexico are largely responsible for the pain that occurred in 2025. CN said tariffs contributed to a $350 million decline in 2025 revenue as the forestry products and metals segments took a big hit. This is expected to continue to be the case until there is a resolution on the next phase of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) facing a July 1, 2026 deadline. Canada-U.S. traffic represents nearly a third of CN’s volume. The company operates roughly 20,000 route miles of tracks connecting the Pacific and Atlantic coasts of Canada to the Gulf Coast in the United States.

Fuel costs are another headwind in the near term that could put a pinch on profits this year if CN isn’t able to fully pass the increases through to customers. High oil prices, if maintained, will also put pressure on the global economy, which would translate into reduced demand for CN’s services.

On the upside, most of the negative news is likely already reflected in the stock price. CN is taking advantage of the weakness to buy back up to 24 million shares under the current repurchase program, which will benefit shareholders over the long run. The business continues to be very profitable and CN has increased the dividend annually for the past 30 years.

Telus

Telus (TSX:T) is definitely a contrarian pick right now. The stock trades near $16.60 at the time of writing, down about 50% from where it sat four years ago, and not far off the recent low around $16.20, a level the stock hasn’t seen in more than a decade.

At the current share price, the dividend yield is about 10%. When dividend yields get this high it often means the market is anticipating a dividend cut. Management tried to calm these concerns late last year when Telus put its dividend-growth plan on hold. This helped push the stock higher in January, but the bears have since regained control.

Price wars in the mobile segment returned in recent weeks, causing analysts to reduce revenue and earnings expectations for the telecom companies. Telus and its peers are also impacted by the drop in newcomers to Canada, particularly international students. Debt is high and interest rates are unlikely to fall further in the near term to provide Telus with any rate relief.

On the positive side, the company still generates strong revenue and cash flow. Telus started the process of monetizing non-core assets to reduce debt. It sold a 49.9% stake in the wireless tower business last year and is currently evaluating options for its Telus Health division.

Telus will get a new CEO on July 1. Victor Dodig, the former CEO of CIBC, could cut the dividend quickly to free up cash to reduce debt. That will upset long-term holders of the stock, but even if the distribution gets trimmed by 50%, the yield will still be attractive based on the current share price, and the market would likely respond positively, given the current anticipation of a reduction.

If the new CEO is able to get debt under control and further streamline the business, there could be meaningful upside for Telus in the next few years.

The bottom line

CN and Telus are solid TSX companies that could rebound over the medium term. If you have some cash to put to work in a contrarian portfolio these stocks deserve to be on your radar.

The post 2 Beaten-Down Dividend Titans Worth Considering Right Now appeared first on The Motley Fool Canada.

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The Motley Fool recommends Canadian National Railway and TELUS. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Fool contributor Andrew Walker owns shares of Telus.