Advertisement
Canada markets open in 5 hours 45 minutes
  • S&P/TSX

    22,011.72
    +139.76 (+0.64%)
     
  • S&P 500

    5,070.55
    +59.95 (+1.20%)
     
  • DOW

    38,503.69
    +263.71 (+0.69%)
     
  • CAD/USD

    0.7310
    -0.0011 (-0.15%)
     
  • CRUDE OIL

    83.50
    +0.14 (+0.17%)
     
  • Bitcoin CAD

    91,240.67
    +690.94 (+0.76%)
     
  • CMC Crypto 200

    1,419.31
    -4.79 (-0.34%)
     
  • GOLD FUTURES

    2,336.10
    -6.00 (-0.26%)
     
  • RUSSELL 2000

    2,002.64
    +35.17 (+1.79%)
     
  • 10-Yr Bond

    4.5980
    -0.0250 (-0.54%)
     
  • NASDAQ futures

    17,726.25
    +119.50 (+0.68%)
     
  • VOLATILITY

    15.77
    +0.08 (+0.51%)
     
  • FTSE

    8,075.17
    +30.36 (+0.38%)
     
  • NIKKEI 225

    38,460.08
    +907.92 (+2.42%)
     
  • CAD/EUR

    0.6837
    +0.0001 (+0.01%)
     

Putting Off Investing in Your TFSA? 2 Stocks to Just Buy Already

Glass piggy bank
Image source: Getty Images

Written by Joey Frenette at The Motley Fool Canada

Broader stock markets have been incredibly volatile over the past year. Some of us forget that volatility works both ways. With the markets ending last week with a bang, thanks in part to major strength in artificial intelligence (AI) and chip stocks, the Nasdaq 100 is now up more than 5% in just two sessions!

It can be uncomfortable to put new money into stocks with your TFSA (Tax-Free Savings Account) after sudden pop. Nobody wants to be caught skating offside, like the many who bought stocks at the peak in late 2021. We’ve also heard some headlines that may be calling for overvaluation in a select few tech (specifically AI) stocks. Regardless, it’s never good to time markets. Whether you’re waiting for the next market correction or the “perfect” time to punch your ticket, it’s likely a better idea to dip a toe into the market waters gradually.

ADVERTISEMENT

Timing markets is a complicated and frustrating game. It involves quite a bit of luck to get in at the “best” moments over a near-term basis. Personally, I think it’s a waste of time to try to anticipate a local bottom or top. Instead, it may be better to view how your moves fit into the big picture or the grander scheme of things.

TFSA investors: Don’t wait for the next pullback. Think longer term

If you’re a new TFSA investor looking to create a retirement fund in the next 15-20 years, you shouldn’t fret over near-term fluctuations. They may mean less when you’re ready to finally enter retirement in a decade or two down the road.

It would have been nice to buy stocks in January 2023, given the surge that was to come. However, at that time, it seemed risky. We’d been in a year-long American bear market, with little signs that things would turn to the upside — not with rates continuing to rise.

Though you can’t turn back time, you shouldn’t let a run-up in the broader markets leave you sidelined with expectations that market lows will be met again. While a disastrous scenario (no resolution to the U.S. debt ceiling?) could bring us back to such depths, I wouldn’t stay sidelined waiting for such. Instead, it may be a better idea to focus on particular stocks in today’s market that are still cheap.

CN Rail and Fortis stocks: Value in plain sight

CN Rail (TSX:CNR) and Fortis (TSX:FTS) are two such stocks that I think offer a great value for money. TFSA investors who missed this year’s run may be content with the risk/reward scenario to be had after their respective dips off year-to-date highs.

When it comes to railway icon CN Rail and utility firm Fortis, you’re getting stable cash flows at a reasonable price. As a TFSA investor, that’s the most you could ask for in today’s environment. Let others get excited about tech and AI chip stocks. You don’t need to chase hot stocks. Instead, boring stocks that took a step back may be a better (less choppy) way to proceed from here.

CNR stock trades at 19.5 times trailing price to earnings (P/E). With a 2.04% dividend yield, I think you’re getting a wonderful and “moaty” company at a slightly discounted multiple. Meanwhile, Fortis has seen its relief rally fade earlier this month. Coincidentally, the stock also trades at 19.5 times trailing P/E! You’re getting almost twice the amount of yield (3.93% at writing) with Fortis, though.

Personally, I’d not be afraid to pick up shares of both companies with TFSA funds.

The post Putting Off Investing in Your TFSA? 2 Stocks to Just Buy Already appeared first on The Motley Fool Canada.

Should You Invest $1,000 In Canadian National Railway?

Before you consider Canadian National Railway, you'll want to hear this.

Our market-beating analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy in May 2023... and Canadian National Railway wasn't on the list.

The online investing service they've run for nearly a decade, Motley Fool Stock Advisor Canada, is beating the TSX by 23 percentage points. And right now, they think there are 5 stocks that are better buys.

See the 5 Stocks * Returns as of 5/24/23

More reading

Fool contributor Joey Frenette has positions in Canadian National Railway and Fortis. The Motley Fool recommends Canadian National Railway and Fortis. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

2023