This retailer remains a solid payer

Article Excerpt

Canadian Tire survived the COVID-19 lockdowns thanks largely to its expanding e-commerce services. As a result, it did not cut its dividend during the pandemic. Now that lockdowns have ended, the company’s strong brands and new loyalty plans are helping draw customers back to its stores. That should let it keep raising your dividend, as it has done each year for the past 13 years. CANADIAN TIRE CORP. (class A non-voting) is a top pick for 2023. The company (Toronto symbols CTC (voting) $288 and CTC.A (non-voting) $176; Conservative Growth Payer Portfolio, Consumer sector; Shares outstanding: 56.7 million; Market cap: $10.5 billion; Dividend yield: 3.9%; Dividend Sustainability Rating: Highest; www.canadiantire.ca) operates 504 Canadian Tire stores. They sell automotive parts and services, and household and sporting goods; franchisees run most locations. The company’s other operations also enrich its outlook. They include 161 stores under the PartSource (auto parts) and Party City (party supplies) banners, 379 Mark’s stores selling casual and work clothing, and 372 Sport Chek and Sports Experts locations selling…