Their recent dividend hikes seem secure

Article Excerpt

THOMSON REUTERS CORP. $101 is a buy. The company (Toronto symbol TRI; Conservative Growth Dividend Payer Portfolio, Consumer sector; Shares outstanding: 500.0 million; Market cap: $50.5 billion; Dividend yield: 2.1%; Dividend Sustainability Rating: Highest; www.thomsonreuters.com) last raised its quarterly dividend with the March 2020 payment. Investors now receive $0.38 U.S. a share, up 5.6% from $0.36 U.S. The new annual rate of $1.52 U.S. yields a solid 2.1%. The stock has held up well during the COVID-19 pandemic. That’s partly because demand for the company’s specialized information products will help professionals in the tax and accounting fields comply with new regulations as part of financial relief packages for workers and businesses. Changes to employment and bankruptcy laws will also spur higher demand for Thomson’s legal-related products. STANTEC INC. $39 is also a buy. The company (Toronto symbol STN; Cyclical-Growth Payer Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding: 111.7 million; Market cap: $4.4 billion; Dividend yield: 1.6%; Dividend Sustainability Rating: Above Average; www.stantec.com) sells a range of consulting, design and technology…