Market Crash: 2 Sleep-Easy Dividend Stocks for Retirees

Canadian retirees might want to consider these two top dividend stocks for a TFSA income fund.

| More on:

Canadian retirees rely on dividend income generated inside their TFSA to supplement CPP, OAS, and company pensions.

The 2020 market crash has hit the share prices of most stocks in the TSX Index, and many top companies now trade at attractive prices. Retirees, however, need to protect capital. Buying in volatile times carries risk. Cheap stocks often get much cheaper before the bottom occurs.

With this thought in mind, let’s take a look at two top Canadian dividend stocks for a TFSA that provide essential services and have recession-resistant revenue streams.

BCE

BCE (TSX:BCE)(NYSE:BCE) is Canada’s largest provider of communications services.

The company’s world-class wireless and wireline networks connect people and businesses through multiple platforms. Consumers and companies consider mobile and internet subscriptions to be essential services. Amid the coronavirus lockdown, TV can be rolled into that group as well.

It wouldn’t be a surprise to see BCE report a strong Q2 2020 supported by streaming subscriptions and upgraded data plans. Schools are closed across the country, and millions of Canadians are working from home.

One risk to watch, however, is BCE’s media division. The group owns sports teams, radio stations, a television network, and an advertising business. Revenue will be down due to reduced spending by advertisers and the postponed sports leagues.

That said, the media group represents a small part of overall revenue.

BCE raised the dividend by 5% in 2020. The current payout provides a yield of 5.7%. The distribution should be very safe.

The stock traded as high as $65 in February and currently sits at $58.50 per share. That’s only a 10% drop. The TSX Index is down more than 20% over the same time frame.

Fortis

Fortis (TSX:FTS)(NYSE:FTS) owns more than $50 billion in power generation, electric transmission, and natural gas distribution assets in Canada, the United States, and the Caribbean.

Revenue primarily comes from regulated businesses, meaning cash flow is generally predictable and reliable. This is one reason Fortis has one of the best dividend track records in Canada. In fact, the board raised the payout in each of the past 46 years and is targeting average annual hikes of 6% through 2024.

Growth comes from acquisitions and internal projects. The current capital program of more than $18 billion is expected to boost the rate base significantly over the next few years to support the dividend increases.

Fortis uses debt to finance takeovers and cover the development costs of its capital projects. Recent interest rate cuts by the U.S. Federal Reserve and the Bank of Canada make borrowing cheaper. Falling bond yields also reduce the cost of acquiring funds for projects. As a result, Fortis might have more cash available for distributions.

Rates will eventually rise again, but that isn’t expected for some time.

Fortis provides services that are essential to keep homes and buildings running. The fact that millions of people in Canada and the United States are at home for the next month, rather than at work, could result in a net surge in electricity and natural gas demand.

The stock trades at $55 per share compared to $58 in February, so investors are in good shape. At the current price, the dividend provides a 3.5% yield. That’s still much better than what you can get from a GIC.

The bottom line

BCE and Fortis are holding up well during the crisis and should continue to be solid picks for a dividend-focused TFSA.

If you want top income stocks that will allow you to sleep at night, these companies deserve to be on your radar today.

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 Andrew Walker owns shares of BCE.

More on Dividend Stocks

money while you sleep
Dividend Stocks

Buy These 3 High-Yield Dividend Stocks Today and Sleep Soundly for a Decade

High-yield stocks like Enbridge have secular trends on their side, as well as predictable cash flows and a lower interest…

Read more »

stock research, analyze data
Dividend Stocks

Invest $9,000 in This Dividend Stock for $59.21 in Monthly Passive Income

Monthly passive income can be an excellent way to easily increase your over income over time. And here is a…

Read more »

Man holds Canadian dollars in differing amounts
Dividend Stocks

Invest $8,000 in This Dividend Stock for $320.40 in Passive Income

This dividend stock remains a top choice for investors wanting to bring in passive income for life, and even only…

Read more »

monthly desk calendar
Dividend Stocks

Monthly Dividend Leaders: 3 TSX Stocks Paying Dividends Every 30 Days

These monthly dividend stocks offer a high yield of over 7% and have durable payouts.

Read more »

space ship model takes off
Dividend Stocks

2 Stocks I’d Avoid in 2025 (and 1 I’d Buy)

Two low-priced stocks are best avoided for now but a surging oil bellwether is a must-buy.

Read more »

Paper Canadian currency of various denominations
Dividend Stocks

Want 6% Yield? 3 TSX Stocks to Buy Today

These TSX dividend stocks have sustainable payouts and are offering high yields of 6% near their current price levels.

Read more »

A woman shops in a grocery store while pushing a stroller with a child
Dividend Stocks

Is Metro Stock a Buy for its 1.5% Dividend Yield?

Metro is a defensive stock that's a reasonable buy here for a long-term investment.

Read more »

Man data analyze
Dividend Stocks

This 7.2% Dividend Stock Pays Cash Every Single Month

This top dividend stock is offering massive dividends, but are they safe? Let's dig in today.

Read more »