Resilient retailers continue to raise your dividends

Article Excerpt

These two Canadian retailers continue to rebound strongly from COVID-19. That’s largely because they are leaders in their niche markets. We like that they’re sharing their success with investors through dividend hikes. NORTH WEST COMPANY $35 is a buy. The company (Toronto symbol NWC; High-Growth Payer Portfolio, Consumer sector; Shares o/s: 48.5 million; Market cap: $1.7 billion; Divd. yield: 4.1%; Dividend Sustainability Rating: Above Average; www.northwest.ca) sells food and everyday products and services at 212 stores. Its outlets are mainly in northern communities across Canada and Alaska. North West raised its quarterly dividend by 9.1%, to $0.36 a share from $0.33, with the October 2020 payment. The annual rate of $1.44 yields a high 4.1%. In July 2020, the company completed the sale of 36 of its 46 Giant Tiger retail stores for $45 million. It held on to 10 Giant Tiger stores, five of which it continues to operate in their northern markets. The company recorded a $9.4 million impairment associated with…