What are we looking for?
Sustainable dividends made all the more secure by Ottawa’s move to extend pandemic benefits for Canadians.
The screen
This week, the House of Commons voted unanimously to authorize new benefits for workers left jobless or underemployed by the COVID-19 pandemic, which now appears to be in its second wave. In place of the Canada Emergency Response Benefit, workers can access an expanded employment insurance program or, for those who would not traditionally qualify for EI, the new Canada Recovery Benefit.
This renewed help is not just a boon to Canadians in need, but also for the sales and profits – and share prices – of companies providing essential goods and services.
Our search started with Canadian dividend-payers that stand to gain from everyday spending by Canadians able to tap continuing government supports. From there, we applied our TSI Dividend Sustainability Rating System, awarding points to a dividend payer based on key factors:
- One point for five years of continuous dividend payments – two points for more than five;
- Two points if it has raised the payment in the past five years;
- One point for management’s commitment to dividends;
- One point for operating in non-cyclical industries;
- One point for limited exposure to foreign currency rates and freedom from political interference;
- Two points for a strong balance sheet, including manageable debt and adequate cash;
- Two points for a long-term record of positive earnings and cash flow sufficient to cover dividend payments;
- One point if the company is an industry leader.
Companies with 10 to 12 points have the most secure dividends, or the highest sustainability. Those with seven to nine points have above average sustainability; average sustainability, four to six points; and below average sustainability, one to three points.
More about TSI Network
TSI Network is the online home of The Successful Investor Inc. – the group of widely followed Canadian investment newsletters by editor and publisher Pat McKeough. They include our award-winning flagship newsletter, The Successful Investor. The TSI Best ETFs for Canadian Investors is the latest. TSI Network is also affiliated with Successful Investor Wealth Management.
What we found
Our TSI Dividend Sustainability Rating System generated 10 stocks. Loblaw Cos. Ltd., Metro Inc., Dollarama Inc. and Canadian Tire Corp. Ltd. all stand out for their success in supplying Canadians with essential goods despite COVID-19. Meanwhile, profitable cheese and dairy firm Saputo Inc., juice-maker Lassonde Industries Inc. and fresh and prepared meat producer Maple Leaf Foods Inc. continue to satisfy consumer needs. Transport stalwarts Canadian National Railway Co. and Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd., as well as trucker TFI International Inc., all keep those goods moving efficiently.
We advise investors to do additional research on any investments we identify here.
Scott Clayton, MBA, is senior analyst for TSI Network and associate editor of TSI Dividend Advisor.
Be smart with your money. Get the latest investing insights delivered right to your inbox three times a week, with the Globe Investor newsletter. Sign up today.