Retire and Relax With Fortis (TSX:FTS) in Your Dividend Portfolio

Here’s why and when you should buy Fortis Inc. (TSX:FTS)(NYSE:FTS) stock.

| More on:

Fortis (TSX:FTS)(NYSE:FTS) stock resides in many retirees portfolios for good reason. It’s a top dividend stock that acts as a great anchor for any diversified portfolio.

Fortis is a top dividend stock

This past week, Fortis announced a dividend increase of 6.1% along with a bigger capital-investment plan of $18.3 billion for the next five years. This dividend hike marks the quality utility’s 46th consecutive year of dividend growth.

Because of Fortis’s solid dividend track record, many investors who are retired now have been invested in the stock for decades. Some long-term investors automate the process by reinvesting their dividends in the utility to snowball their investment into retirement.

An investment made at the beginning of 2000 would have delivered total returns of 12.1% per year. However, if dividends were reinvested, the investment would have delivered annualized returns of 14.6%. For example, an initial investment of $10,000 would have transformed into more than $95,600 without dividend reinvestment and $145,600 with dividends reinvested.

Currently, Fortis offers a yield of 3.5%.

growing dividends

Fortis provides stability in any diversified portfolio

Because of its non-cyclical and regulated nature, Fortis stock acts as a great anchor for any diversified portfolio. People are unlikely to cut their electricity and natural gas usage, even when the economy turns for the worst.

What makes Fortis’s profitability stable is that it has 3.3 million utility customers and largely generates earnings from transmission and distribution assets.

Furthermore, Fortis’s earnings are diversified geographically. Specifically, it generates about 66% of its earnings in the U.S. That’s why Fortis’s earnings are expected to remain stable or even increase in future recessions.

Fortis is also a low-beta stock. According to Yahoo Finance, the stock’s recent beta is 0.05. So, if the market moves 1% up or down, Fortis is expected to move only 0.05% up or down.

Most retirees don’t want roller-coaster rides in their stock portfolios. So, Fortis is a great dividend stock to retire and relax with.

One more thing

To ensure it’s a relaxing experience to hold your Fortis stock, ensure to buy it when it’s at least fairly priced. Besides, making purchases in FTS stock whenever it’s attractively priced will inject astonishing growth to your overall investment!

Because the utility is highly predictable with very stable earnings, it tends to trade at a premium price-to-earnings ratio. Its 10-year normal multiple is about 19.1, indicating a fair price of about $49 per share over the next year or so.

So, retirees or soon-to-be retirees can continue to hold the stock for the rising income, but if you’re thinking of buying Fortis, don’t pay more than $49 per share.

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 Kay Ng has no position in any of the stocks mentioned.

More on Dividend Stocks

investment research
Dividend Stocks

Best Stock to Buy Right Now: TD Bank vs Manulife Financial?

TD and Manulife can both be interesting stock picks for today, depending on your investment style.

Read more »

A worker gives a business presentation.
Dividend Stocks

2 Dividend Stocks to Double Up on Right Now

These stocks are out of favour but could deliver nice returns over the coming years.

Read more »

Man holds Canadian dollars in differing amounts
Dividend Stocks

This 5.5 Percent Dividend Stock Pays Cash Every Month

This defensive retail REIT could be your ticket to high monthly income.

Read more »

Confused person shrugging
Dividend Stocks

Passive Income: How Much Do You Need to Invest to Make $600 Per Month?

Do you want passive income coming in every single month? Here's how to make it and a top dividend ETF…

Read more »

Canadian Dollars bills
Dividend Stocks

3 Monthly-Paying Dividend Stocks to Boost Your Passive Income

Given their healthy cash flows and high yields, these three monthly-paying dividend stocks could boost your passive income.

Read more »

Make a choice, path to success, sign
Dividend Stocks

The TFSA Blueprint to Generate $3,695.48 in Yearly Passive Income

The blueprint to generate yearly passive income in a TFSA is to maximize the contribution limits.

Read more »

hand stacks coins
Dividend Stocks

3 Ultra-High-Yield Dividend Stocks You Can Buy and Hold for a Decade

These three high-yield dividend stocks still have some work to do, but each are in steady areas that are only…

Read more »

senior man and woman stretch their legs on yoga mats outside
Dividend Stocks

TFSA: 2 Canadian Stocks to Buy and Hold Forever

Here are 2 TFSA-worthy Canadian stocks. Which one is a good buy for your TFSA today?

Read more »