WilliamMLeighty634 blog

During the holidays, we all love to give back, whether that’s through donating, giving gifts, or simply providing the time with our loved ones. But when it comes to parents, the top focus is our children. During the holidays, you’re always looking at ways to do something special for your kids. And what’s more special than creating a more financially stable future? A great gift can be dividend stocks this holiday season. And these three are the top choices I’d choose as a parent myself. Growth For growth and dividends, I would look at Brookfield Renewable Partners (TSX:BEP.UN). This clean energy company has been providing dividends for decades and is looking like it will continue to do so for decades. That’s especially as it’s likely to be one of the best growth stories out there. The company invests in clean energy assets around the world, providing its investors with solid income from multiple revenue sources. And that continues to expand, as countries look to create their

The utility and energy sectors are two of the most popular areas to invest in today. Of all the companies that operate in those areas, Brookfield Renewable (TSX:BEP.UN) and Canadian Natural Resources (TSX:CNQ) are two of the most talked-about companies. This is because both companies are very well established in their respective industries and offer stocks that are attractive to investors. In this article, I’ll discuss which stock is the better buy today. Background on these companies Brookfield Renewable is a subsidiary of Brookfield Asset Management. Brookfield Renewable owns and operates renewable utility facilities across North and South America, Europe, and Asia. All considered, it is one of the largest producers of renewable utilities in the world, boasting a generation capacity of 21 gigawatts (GW). Its development pipeline also features an additional 69 GW of generation capacity. Founded in 1973, Canadian Natural Resources is a Calgary-based company that acquires, pro

Gold stocks have generally been weak this year due to a stronger U.S. dollar that has weighed on gold prices. As a result, large-cap gold stocks Newmont (TSX:NGT) and Barrick Gold (TSX:ABX) have declined this year. Year to date, Newmont stock has corrected about 21%, while Barrick Gold stock has dropped roughly 11%. Let’s explore which may be a better buy today. Past performance may be indicative of future performance As you can see in the total return chart, gold stocks tend to move in tandem with each other. So, the one that has delivered greater returns may be a better buy. Newmont stock has delivered greater total returns over a multi-year period. ABX Total Return Level data by YCharts When based on only price appreciation in the period, Newmont stock’s climb of about 41% also doubled that of Barrick Gold’s 20%. Financial position Newmont’s retained earnings are positive, which is always a good sign. As Investopedia explains, “Retained earnings are the cumulative net

Algonquin Power & Utilities (TSX:AQN) stock is down big this year. Starting off the year at $18.02, it has fallen to $9.98 — a 45% decline. The reasons for Algonquin’s poor performance this year are well known. In November, it put out an earnings release that not only missed analyst estimates but showed the company actively losing money. Investors sold off the stock in response to the poor release, sending it to lows not seen in years. As a result of the selloff, Algonquin stock now has a 9.6% dividend yield, making it one of the highest-yielding opportunities in the Canadian markets. It certainly looks enticing, but yields as high as Algonquin’s often come with significant risks. In this article, I will explore four key facts you need to know about Algonquin Power & Utilities stock before you can make an informed investment in it. 2021 net income was up over a four-year period One thing you might be surprised to learn about Algonquin is that its most recent full-ye

Dollarama (TSX:DOL) has been one of the top performers in 2022. And that’s saying a lot. While other companies, including many retail stocks, are seeing shares drop into oblivion, Dollarama stock remains upward. In fact, it continues to surpass all-time highs. But does this mean Dollarama stock is due for a drop? Or is this a defensive play perfect for your portfolio? Today, we’re going to see if Dollarama stock remains a buy on the TSX today. nalysts weigh in We’re still waiting on third-quarter earnings from Dollarama stock, and already analysts are weighing in on expectations. And what analysts really like is that other similar stores are doing so well. This includes Walmart, which recently saw incredibly strong same-store sales growth in Canada. In fact, over the last few quarters, Dollarama stock has outperformed compared with Walmart. The point here is that consumers are looking to cheaper areas to make purchases and fight back inflation. In particular, it’s not just th

New TFSA (Tax-Free Savings Account) investors may be putting off their first buys, with the raging bear market that promises nothing but pain and quick losses. Indeed, it’s tough to get into markets now that most investors are ready to cut their losses. Instead, they are focusing on alternative investments that may be able to offer returns without all the volatility and risk. No doubt, it’s tempting to consider bonds and other fixed-income securities with the recent rise in interest rates. GICs (Guaranteed Investment Certificates) are starting to look very enticing. Their rates are actually pretty good after offering sub-par 2% or so rates for 12–18-month lock-in periods. With GICs now commanding 4.5% or more for the same timeframe, many TFSA investors may be wondering if it’s a better idea to go with the “safe” play or brave the stock market sell-off with names that are looking quite discounted. GICs vs. stocks for TFSA beginner investors Though GICs may get a pretty bad rap

It has been a painful year for Algonquin Power and Utilities (TSX:AQN) stock. It is down 32% in the past month and 44.6% since the start of the year. Algonquin is a diversified utility and renewable power operator. Utility stocks are generally considered very stable and dependable. So, it is pretty amazing for Algonquin stock to drop so precipitously. Today, Algonquin stock has a huge dividend yield of 9.6%. While that may look very appetizing for income investors, you need to be cautious. What happened to Algonquin stock? On November 11, Algonquin announced third-quarter results that significantly disappointed investors. Revenues and adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) were up 26% and 10%, respectively, year over year. However, net earnings collapsed 600% and adjusted net earnings fell 25%. Algonquin faced cost pressures due to increased operating costs, project delays, and, most significantly, rising interest rates. Algonquin

Shopify (TSX:SHOP) stock finally saw some positive movement on Monday after the tech stock reported another record-breaking Black Friday. Shopify stock shares jumped 7% on Monday after the company announced Black Friday sales by merchants rose 17% compared to 2021 levels. Merchant sales from the start of Black Friday in New Zealand to the end in California totaled US$3.36 billion. The total came in at about US$3.5 million in sales per minute. Top countries making these purchases were the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada. How it compared What exactly was the increase compared to last year? Shopify stock’s Black Friday sales for 2021 reached US$2.9 billion in merchant sales during the same time period. This was also a 21% increase from 2020 levels — a time when COVID-19 lockdowns saw sales double from levels in 2019. Those sales peaked at US$3.1 million in sales per minute. The countries with the top sales remained the same as well as the same product categories of a

Dividend stocks are some of the best investments you can make in your Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA). Not only do you get income coming in every quarter, year, or even every month. You also can use that income to reinvest in the stock or other stocks! This is especially beneficial for your TFSA. That’s because there is a contribution limit for your TFSA. Should you reach that limit, dividends can be extra income you can use to invest without breaking any of the rules. Today, I’m going to look at two dividend stocks that are some of the best buys you can make for your TFSA today. NorthWest REIT NorthWest Healthcare Properties REIT (TSX:NWH.UN) is a top choice if you want two things: monthly passive income that comes in like a paycheque or long-term passive income thanks to lease agreements. NorthWest stock is a strong option thanks to both of these points. It currently has an average lease agreement of 14 years. Those agreements are located around the world, with a diverse

If you’re looking for steady stocks to add to your portfolio, then I would recommend turning to the utility sector. In Canada, the utility sector features many blue-chip stocks. What’s very consistent among those companies is that they pay attractive dividends. That’s why investing in utility companies over the long term could be very beneficial. Because these companies tend to receive recurring revenue, this sector also tends to provide investors with stocks that tend to be less volatile than what’s found in other sectors. In this article, I’ll discuss three top utility stocks to buy right now. This is a stock that belongs in your portfolio If you could only buy one utility stock, I’d recommend turning to Fortis (TSX:FTS). This is a massive utility company, which operates a portfolio that consists of $64 billion of assets under management. Fortis provides regulated gas and electric utilities to more than three million customers across Canada, the United States, and t

It’s Black Friday, which means it’s a great time to talk about retail stocks during this unofficial start to the holiday shopping season. For Canadian retailers, the outlook for this sector remains mixed. On the one hand, shoppers are back in full force for their in-person shopping experience, with pandemic-related restrictions all but gone. On the other, it’s clear that macro conditions remain tight. And while central banks may be taking their foot off the brakes next year, we’re still in the midst of a high-inflation, slow-growth market. The question many investors have is how inventories and margins will hold up this holiday season. Here, I’m going to discuss why Canadian Tire (TSX:CTC.A) and Canada Goose (TSX:GOOS) are two top picks in this regard right now. For those looking to play a more bullish holiday season, these are two stocks to watch. Let’s dive in. Top retail stocks: Canadian Tire  Canadian Tire is surely not the largest retail company in North America, but

Quality dividend stocks trading on the TSX can help Canadians create a steady stream of passive income. As most dividend stocks have a quarterly payout, these payments are quite predictable. Further, the ongoing selloff in the equity market has driven yields of companies significantly higher in 2022, allowing investors to generate sizeable gains via consistent dividends. If you hold dividend stocks in your TFSA, or Tax-Free Savings Account, both dividend payouts as well as long-term capital gains are sheltered from Canada Revenue Agency taxes. Historically, dividend stocks have outperformed the broader indices due to their ability to generate profits across market cycles, making them all the more attractive. The cumulative TFSA contribution room will increase to $88,000 in 2023. So, if you invest $29,000 in each of the three stocks discussed below, you can earn close to $4,150 in annual dividend income in the next year. Let’s see how. Enbridge: A passive-income giantfor your

Pason Systems (TSX:PSI) is a Calgary-based energy services and technology company. This company provides data management systems for drilling rigs in Canada, the United States, and around the world. Today, I want to discuss Pason Systems’s interesting path in 2022 and determine whether it is worth snatching up right now. Let’s jump in. How has Pason Systems performed in 2022? Shares of Pason Systems have climbed 36% in 2022 as of close on November 25. The stock is up 10% in the month-over-month period. Interestingly, this energy stock is still trading off the 52-week high it reached during its two surges in the spring season. Energy stocks were scorching hot in the first half of 2022 on the back of soaring oil and gas prices. That momentum petered out in the second half of the year in the face of rising interest rates, more supply, and increased fears of an economic downturn. This stock has regained its spark after cratering in late September. Its shares may have more room

Monthly paying dividend stocks are a lucrative investment option to earn regular passive income. Thankfully, the TSX has several top-class stocks that offer monthly payouts, providing investors an opportunity to diversify their risk and make a steady income.  But before discussing stocks, let’s be clear: even the safest stocks carry risks and could result in losses. Also, the dividends are not guaranteed, and any adverse operating environment could lead to a reduction in payouts. With that background, let’s look at three stocks that have paid, maintained, and increased their dividends, despite the tough operating environment, implying investors can consider adding these stocks to their portfolio for steady passive income. Keyera Keyera (TSX:KEY) operates in the energy sector and provides the gathering, storing, processing, and transportation of natural gas and natural gas liquids. The company’s low-risk, integrated energy infrastructure assets witness high utili

When building a portfolio, it’s important to hold anywhere from 15 to 20 stocks. A portfolio of that size could help investors maintain a portfolio that is less volatile than one that focuses on a smaller number of companies. However, holding that many companies can make it difficult to track and keep tabs on each one. A solution to that issue would be to find companies that are consistent and reliable enough, such that investors can essentially buy shares and not have to worry about them. In this article, I’ll discuss three stocks that lazier investors can buy and hold for a decade or more. All three of these companies are blue chip in nature, which should help ease the minds of investors. Buy one of the Canadian banks In my opinion, the Canadian banks are among the easiest companies to buy for lazy investors. This is because the Canadian banking industry features some of the largest and most important companies in the country. Looking at the nine largest Canadian companies

High inflation, rising interest rates, and an uncertain economic outlook have increased the volatility in the equity markets. Despite the volatile environment, income-seeking investors can find few lucrative buying opportunities. Supported by their defensive business models and steady cash flows, these companies are paying dividends at a healthier rate. So, if you want a stable passive income, here are my three top picks. NorthWest Healthcare Properties REIT NorthWest Healthcare Properties REIT (TSX:NWH.UN) owns and operates 233 highly defensive healthcare properties across multiple countries. It has signed long-term rent agreements with a weighted average lease expiry of 14 years. So, it enjoys higher occupancy and collection rate. However, the company’s adjusted fund from operations declined by 22% in the recently reported third quarter due to several non-recurring expenses, lower management fees, rising interest rates, and higher leverage. Meanwhile, NorthWest Healthcare’

Your Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) retirement fund is probably feeling the weight of the market volatility. While there’s no telling how bad a looming economic recession could get, it’s still worth pursuing the market bargains as they exist today. Undoubtedly, stocks do not always go up as they did last year. In this piece, we’ll have a look at two mid-cap companies that Bay and Wall Street may have overlooked. As you may know, mid-cap stocks tend to garner less attention than their larger-cap counterparts. With less attention comes a greater chance for the undervaluation of mid-cap plays to go unnoticed for extended durations. Indeed, the blue-chip stocks tend to be the most popular among newer investors. Still, for young investors seeking to gain an edge over markets, it’s a good idea to consider mid-cap plays, especially if you want to drastically improve upon your TFSA portfolio’s risk/reward scenario. TFSA top pick #1: Cargojet Cargojet (TSX:CJT) is a $2.34 billion com

It’s Black Friday — a time when we all race online or in stores (finally) to buy up some super deals. It’ll save us tonnes when it comes to holiday shopping. But what if we also applied the same thoughts to investments? This is exactly what’s happening with so many companies right now. There are Black Friday sales all over the place, and that could lead you to financial independence to retire early (FIRE). So, without further preamble, here are the three Black Friday sales to buy today. CIBC Of the Big Six banks, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (TSX:CM) offers a superior deal. That’s because this bank offers you the protection during a recession with provisions for loan losses, and the best dividend of the batch. On top of that, CIBC stock is in growth mode, with a huge focus on its customer service. And yet it’s still a FIRE stock that’s perfect to pick up this Black Friday. Shares trade at just 9.38 times earnings, offering an incredible 5.19% dividend yield. With sh