The Best Stocks to Invest $500 in Right Now

Here are five top Canadian stocks you can buy today for less than $500.

| More on:

There’s no shortage of Canadian stocks on the TSX trading at opportunistic prices right now. 

Here’s a well-diversified basket of five Canadian companies that investors can own for less than $500.

Descartes Systems

Descartes Systems (TSX:DSG) has been the top-performing of the bunch of five in recent years. 

Shares are nearing a market-crushing return of 200% over the past five years. 

With the tech stock currently trading just below all-time highs, Descartes Systems is certainly not a cheap stock. Growth investors in search of market-beating growth potential, though, will need to pay up.

If you can handle the volatility, this growth stock is worth paying a premium for.

Bank of Montreal

Bank of Montreal (TSX:BMO) is the perfect company to balance out a high-growth company like Descartes Systems. 

The $80 billion bank can provide a portfolio with defensiveness and passive income and even the odd year of market-beating returns.

At today’s stock price, BMO’s dividend yield is above 5%. In addition to a top yield, the bank has been paying a dividend to its shareholders for close to 200 consecutive years. 

You won’t find many streaks like that on the TSX, especially not with a 5% yield, too.

Northland Power

The renewable energy sector is a great place to be bargain-hunting right now. There are plenty of market-leading renewable energy stocks trading at huge discounts to choose from.

Excluding dividends, Northland Power (TSX:NPI) is trading at a loss over the past five years. The energy stock is down more than 50% below all-time highs, which were last set in 2021.

Short-term investors may not see much value here but there’s a lot of growth potential for long-term investors to get excited.

If you’re bullish on the long-term rise in demand for renewable energy consumption, Northland Power should be on your watch list.

WELL Health Technologies

The virtual healthcare space is another area of the market that’s been taking a beating as of late.

The pandemic led to a sudden surge in demand for telehealth stocks. Companies like WELL Health Technologies (TSX:WELL) skyrocketed in a very short period of time, but those gains were quickly returned. 

WELL Health managed to return more than 400% in 2020. Today, shares are down just about 50% from all-time highs, yet the growth stock remains up almost 200% over the past five years.

It looks like the pandemic-induced volatility has settled, and WELL Health is ready to return to its market-beating ways. 

Shares are up 20% in 2024 the year already. At this rate, the stock won’t be trading at a discount for much longer.

Brookfield

The last pick on my list is a stock that does it all for its shareholders.

As a global asset manager, Brookfield (TSX:BN) is as well-diversified as a stock that you’ll find on the TSX. But despite the stock’s diversified portfolio, it hasn’t had any trouble outperforming the market’s returns. 

Excluding dividends, Brookfield’s return of 75% over the past five years is good enough to nearly double the returns of the S&P/TSX Composite Index.

Investors in need of diversification in their portfolios should have Brookfield on their radar.

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 Nicholas Dobroruka has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Brookfield. The Motley Fool recommends Brookfield Corporation and Descartes Systems Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

More on Investing

hand stacks coins
Dividend Stocks

Canada’s Smart Money Is Piling Into This TSX Leader

An expanding and still growing industry giant is a smart choice for Canadian investors in 2025.

Read more »

Oil industry worker works in oilfield
Energy Stocks

Energy Sector Strength: A Canadian Producer That Can Thrive in Any Market

While gold stocks are the norm, relatively few Canadian energy stocks operate primarily outside the country. The ones that do…

Read more »

how to save money
Stocks for Beginners

Canada’s Biggest Winners in 2025? My Money’s on These 2 TSX Stocks

Here’s why I’m betting on these TSX stocks to be among Canada’s biggest winners in 2025.

Read more »

ways to boost income
Investing

Where to Invest Your 2025 TFSA Money for Total Returns

These TSX stocks offer high growth and steady dividend income, making them top bets to generate solid total returns.

Read more »

TFSA (Tax-Free Savings Account) on wooden blocks and Canadian one hundred dollar bills.
Dividend Stocks

TFSA Contribution Limit Stays at $7,000 for 2025: What to Buy?

This TFSA strategy can boost yield and reduce risk.

Read more »

calculate and analyze stock
Investing

3 No-Brainer TSX Stocks Under $50

These under-$50 TSX stocks have solid growth potential and can deliver significant returns over time, beating the benchmark index.

Read more »

Make a choice, path to success, sign
Dividend Stocks

Already a TFSA Millionaire? Watch Out for These CRA Traps

TFSA millionaires are mindful of CRA traps to avoid paying unnecessary taxes and penalties.

Read more »

A plant grows from coins.
Stocks for Beginners

1 Canadian Stock Ready to Surge In 2025

First Quantum stock is one Canadian stock investors should seriously consider going into 2025, and hold on for life!

Read more »