Three TSX Stocks that have Raised Dividends Annually for Over 20 Years

Canadian pensioners looking to build a reliable passive income stream through their self-directed Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) should consider investing in some of the top TSX dividend stocks. The recent drop in share prices of several leading dividend payers presents a golden opportunity to secure attractive yields. Among the prime candidates for a TFSA portfolio are TC Energy, Enbridge, and Fortis. These companies offer a combination of stable dividends and potential for growth, making them ideal for pensioners focused on long-term income generation. 

TC Energy Offers Attractive Yield Amidst Share Price Volatility 

TC Energy (TSX: TRP) is a compelling option for dividend-seeking investors. The stock is currently trading around $52.50, having recovered from a low of $44 last fall but still significantly below its 2022 peak of $74. This price dip provides a chance to lock in a high yield of 7.3%. 

TC Energy's use of debt to finance part of its capital program has been a point of concern. However, with the anticipated decrease in interest rates by the Bank of Canada and the U.S. Federal Reserve over the next year, the cost of debt servicing is expected to reduce. This should positively impact the company's financial health. 

In addition to benefiting from lower interest rates, TC Energy has taken proactive steps to stabilize its balance sheet through asset sales. This strategy has provided the necessary cash to support ongoing growth initiatives. The firm has a robust track record, having increased its dividend for 24 consecutive years. As new projects come online, the resulting cash flow expansion should enable further dividend hikes in the range of 3-5%. 

Enbridge's Strategic Investments Enhance Its Dividend Appeal 

Enbridge (TSX:ENB) is another strong contender in the energy infrastructure sector, known for its impressive history of dividend growth. The company has raised its dividend annually for the past 29 years, showcasing its commitment to returning value to shareholders. Currently trading near $48 per share, down from $59 two years ago, Enbridge offers a dividend yield of 7.7%. 

Enbridge has diversified its portfolio in recent years, investing in oil exports, natural gas liquids (NGL) exports, and renewable energy assets. This diversification reduces its reliance on any single revenue stream and positions it well for future growth. Notably, Enbridge's US$14 billion acquisition of three natural gas utilities in the United States underscores its strategic focus on meeting rising natural gas demand. 

The company’s $25 billion capital program is expected to drive revenue growth over the medium term. Enbridge projects annual dividend increases in the 3-5% range, aligning with the anticipated growth in distributable cash flow. This steady growth trajectory makes Enbridge a reliable choice for investors seeking stable and increasing income. 

Fortis' Long-Term Dividend Growth and Stability 

Fortis (TSX: FTS) stands out with its remarkable history of 50 consecutive years of dividend increases. Although its current yield of 4.4% is lower compared to TC Energy and Enbridge, Fortis offers a stable and growing dividend with anticipated annual increases of 4-6%. This steady growth ensures that the return on the initial investment will continue to improve over time. 

Fortis has an ambitious $25 billion capital program aimed at boosting its rate base from $37 billion in 2023 to nearly $50 billion by 2028. The company also has additional projects under consideration that could extend its capital pipeline and support further dividend growth. Fortis' solid track record of strategic acquisitions, including the US$11.3 billion purchase of ITC Holdings in 2016, indicates its ability to grow through mergers and acquisitions. With interest rates expected to decline, Fortis may explore new deals that could further enhance its growth prospects. 

For Canadian pensioners focused on generating steady passive income, adding top TSX dividend-growth stocks to their TFSA portfolios is a prudent strategy. TC Energy, Enbridge, and Fortis each offer unique advantages, from attractive yields and dividend growth to stability and strategic investments. These companies' commitment to returning value to shareholders through regular dividend increases makes them ideal choices for long-term income generation. By capitalizing on the current market conditions and share price dips, investors can secure higher yields and benefit from potential growth in the years to come. 

Top Three TSX Dividend Stocks with Yields Starting at 3.4%

As inflation moderates and interest rate policies shift in both the U.S. and Canada, investors are keenly observing market dynamics to identify promising opportunities. The recent decisions by central banks to adjust rates reflect broader economic trends that could influence investment choices, particularly in TSX dividend stocks. In this evolving financial landscape, three companies stand out: Enghouse Systems Limited, PHX Energy Services Corp., and Whitecap Resources Inc. Each of these companies offers unique value propositions, despite their differing operational focuses and market positions. 

Enghouse Systems Limited (TSE: ENGH) 

Enghouse Systems Limited (TSE: ENGH) operates globally, developing enterprise software solutions and boasting a market capitalization of approximately CA$1.69 billion. The company generates revenue primarily through two segments: the Asset Management Group, which reported revenues of CA$180.88 million, and the Interactive Management Group, with revenues of CA$299.55 million. 

Enghouse Systems has consistently demonstrated the ability to grow its revenue and net income. The company's recent quarterly financials show a significant year-over-year increase, highlighting its operational resilience. Enghouse maintains a stable dividend, recently affirming a C$0.26 per share payout. This is supported by a 65.7% earnings payout ratio and a 45.8% cash flow payout ratio, indicating sustainability. However, its dividend yield of 3.41% is lower than that of the top Canadian dividend payers. Additionally, Enghouse is actively managing its share structure through buybacks, which enhance shareholder value and reflect cautious capital management amidst growth opportunities. 

PHX Energy Services Corp. (TSE: PHX) 

PHX Energy Services Corp. (TSE: PHX) offers horizontal and directional drilling services, alongside renting and selling performance drilling motors and parts to oil and natural gas companies in Canada, the U.S., Albania, the Middle East, and internationally. The company has a market cap of CA$410.82 million and generates CA$656.44 million from its drilling services. 

PHX Energy Services stands out with a high dividend yield of 9.2%, ranking among the top 25% of Canadian dividend payers. However, this high yield comes with sustainability challenges. Despite a 35.6% earnings growth last year, the dividends are not well-covered by cash flows, with a cash payout ratio of 138.3%. Moreover, the dividends have been volatile over the past decade. Recently, PHX declared a quarterly dividend of C$0.20 per share payable on July 15, 2024, despite a decline in earnings and net income in Q1 2024 compared to the previous year. 

Whitecap Resources Inc. (TSE: WCP) 

Whitecap Resources Inc. (TSE: WCP) is an oil and gas company that specializes in acquiring, developing, and producing oil and gas assets in Western Canada. The company has a market capitalization of approximately CA$5.84 billion and generates revenue primarily from the exploration and production of oil and gas, totaling CA$3.23 billion. 

Whitecap Resources offers a competitive dividend yield of 7.48%, supported by a decade of stable increases. The dividends are well-covered by both earnings (56.1% payout ratio) and cash flows (82% cash payout ratio). Despite trading 34.7% below its estimated fair value, Whitecap has affirmed monthly dividends at CAD 0.0608 per share. However, the company's profit margins have declined from last year's 33.5% to 21.3%. Whitecap's recent strategic moves include ongoing acquisitions aimed at enhancing long-term reserves and a significant share repurchase program, indicating confidence in its operational strategy and future performance stability. 

In the current economic environment characterized by moderating inflation and shifting interest rate policies, investors are seeking stable and high-yield dividend stocks to balance their portfolios. Enghouse Systems Limited, PHX Energy Services Corp., and Whitecap Resources Inc. each offer distinct advantages and potential challenges. Enghouse Systems presents steady growth and sustainable dividends, albeit with a lower yield. PHX Energy Services offers a high dividend yield but faces sustainability concerns. Whitecap Resources combines competitive dividends with strategic acquisitions, though profit margins have recently declined. 

Investors should carefully consider these factors and their individual risk tolerance when making investment decisions in this evolving financial landscape. By evaluating the strengths and challenges of each company, investors can better position themselves to capitalize on opportunities in the dividend-yielding sector. 

2 TSX Stocks Poised for Growth in June

Investing in stocks that trade below their intrinsic value has been a time-tested strategy for equity investors aiming for outsized gains when market sentiment shifts. Identifying a portfolio of undervalued stocks can lead to significant returns as the market corrects itself over time. Here, we discuss two TSX growth stocks, Air Canada and Magna International, which are currently trading at a discount and have the potential to offer substantial gains. 

Air Canada (TSE: AC) 

Air Canada (TSE: AC), with a market cap of $6.16 billion, is the largest airline in Canada, providing scheduled passenger services across the country. Despite the company’s robust performance, the stock price remains 67% below its all-time highs. This underperformance can be attributed to the significant debt burden that Air Canada accumulated during the COVID-19 pandemic. The airline industry was one of the hardest hit, and Air Canada had to take on substantial debt to stay afloat. Rising interest rates have further exacerbated the issue, leading to higher interest payments and thinner profit margins. At the end of 2019, Air Canada’s net debt stood at $2.37 billion, but it had ballooned to $3.78 billion by Q1 2024. 

Despite these challenges, Air Canada has shown remarkable resilience. Over the past 12 months, the company reported an adjusted EBITDA of over $4 billion, resulting in a net-debt-to-adjusted EBITDA ratio of just 0.9 times. This indicates that Air Canada’s earnings are sufficiently robust to cover its debt obligations comfortably. In Q1 2024, Air Canada’s operating cash flow was $1.59 billion. After capital expenditures of $536 million, the company ended the quarter with a free cash flow of $1.05 billion, up from $987 million in the same period last year. This positive cash flow has enabled Air Canada to reduce its long-term debt significantly, from $13 billion to $11.28 billion in the last three months alone. 

Air Canada’s debt reduction efforts have borne fruit, with the company reducing its net debt by more than 50% in the past 15 months. This financial prudence has bolstered the bottom line. Additionally, with $10 billion in total liquidity, Air Canada is well-positioned to invest approximately $15 billion in capital expenditures through 2028. These investments are expected to drive future earnings and cash flows higher. Currently priced at 4.9 times forward earnings, Air Canada is one of the cheapest stocks on the TSX, trading at a 56% discount to consensus price targets. 

Magna International (TSE: MG)

Magna International (TSE: MG), valued at $16.9 billion by market cap, is another TSX stock that has lagged the broader market in recent years. This auto ancillary giant trades 53% below its all-time highs, presenting an excellent opportunity for investors. The stock’s current valuation allows shareholders to enjoy a 4.4% dividend yield while buying a blue-chip company at a discount. Despite the challenging macroeconomic environment, Magna increased its sales by 3% year over year to $11 billion, outperforming the 2% increase in global light vehicle production. 

Magna is on track to increase its sales by 2.8% to $60.1 billion in 2024, with an expected earnings growth of 4.7% for the year. Priced at 7.5 times forward earnings, Magna stock is attractively valued. The company’s earnings are forecast to expand by 16.4% annually over the next five years, suggesting a significant acceleration between 2024 and 2028. This expected growth in profit margins is likely to result in increased dividend payouts. Over the past decade, Magna has more than tripled its dividend distributions, reflecting its commitment to returning capital to shareholders. 

Magna’s robust performance is underpinned by its strategic initiatives and strong market position. The company’s focus on innovation and its diversified product portfolio have enabled it to navigate industry challenges effectively. As the automotive industry transitions towards electric vehicles (EVs) and advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), Magna is well-positioned to benefit from these trends. The company’s investments in new technologies and partnerships with leading automakers are expected to drive future growth. 

Both Air Canada and Magna International present compelling investment opportunities for June 2024. Air Canada’s significant debt reduction and strong liquidity position, coupled with its ongoing investments, suggest that the airline is well-placed to capitalize on future growth. Similarly, Magna International’s attractive valuation, robust dividend yield, and growth prospects make it a blue-chip stock worth considering. Investors looking for undervalued TSX stocks with potential for outsized gains should consider adding these two companies to their portfolios.