Introduction to Canadian Stocks

Canadian investors looking to grow their wealth over the long term can benefit from investing in high-quality Canadian stocks. Despite short-term market fluctuations, there are several Canadian companies that have demonstrated strong financials, competitive advantages, and growth potential. In this article, we will explore three Canadian stocks that are worth buying and holding onto for years to come.

Bank of Nova Scotia: A Compelling Long-Term Hold

Bank of Nova Scotia (TSX:BNS) is a well-established Canadian bank with a strong track record of profitability and dividend payments. The bank’s Q1 2026 net income jumped to about $2.3 billion, with diluted earnings per share (EPS) from continuing operations coming in around $1.73. These numbers were driven by broad-based growth across the lender’s Canadian Banking, International, and Wealth Management segments.

Scotiabank’s trailing-12-month net profit margin has expanded to roughly 26.3%, reflecting better cost control and a higher mix of wealth and fee revenue. This is all the while the bank’s CET1 capital ratio sits near 13.3%, giving management room to keep investing and returning capital. Trading around 13 times forward earnings with a dividend yield near 4.3%, Scotiabank’s management team has reaffirmed its $1.10 annual payout while hinting at steady EPS and revenue growth into 2028.

For income-oriented investors with a multi-year horizon, Scotiabank is a solid core holding. To learn more about dividend investing, visit our page on dividend investing. You can also find more information on Canadian banking stocks and their performance.

Alimentation Couche-Tard: A Powerful Long-Term Growth Story

Alimentation Couche-Tard (TSX:ATD) is a leading Canadian retailer with a strong presence in the convenience store and fuel retailing industry. The company operates over 17,200 locations across 29 countries under brands like Couche-Tard and Circle K, with fuel-related retail and in-store convenience driving steady cash flow.

Analysts remain bullish on this stock, despite its recent decline. Indeed, I’m inclined to agree with that view, considering the company’s long-term compounding prowess. Fundamentally, Couche-Tard’s business benefits from high-margin fuel margins, recurring customer visits, and a resilient snack-and-beverage basket. These fundamentals are supported by a debt-to-equity ratio that (while elevated at roughly 100%) sits within manageable levels for a capital-intensive retail-fuel operator.

For patient investors, that combination of scale, global footprint, and recurring demand makes Couche-Tard a core growth-and-cash-flow holding in a diversified Canadian portfolio. You can learn more about retail investing and find tips on long-term growth stocks.

Manulife Financial: A Long-Term Winner in Insurance and Wealth Management

Manulife Financial (TSX:MFC) is a leading Canadian insurance and wealth management company with a strong track record of profitability and dividend payments. The company reported trailing-12-month revenue of roughly $32 billion and net income of about $5.4 billion. These numbers were supported by a hefty net profit margin around 16.9% and a manageable debt-to-equity ratio of roughly 43%.

Manulife’s management recently bumped the quarterly common dividend by 10.2%, reinforcing its commitment to shareholders while continuing to expand fee-based wealth and asset-management capabilities. This shift toward capital-light, recurring revenue streams should support stronger core EPS and return-on-equity trends over time, even as the broader life-insurance and investment business remains sensitive to interest-rate and equity-market swings.

For Canadian investors willing to hold through volatility, Manulife offers a mix of capital appreciation potential, growing dividends, and diversified exposure across North America and Asia. To learn more about insurance stocks and their performance, visit our page. You can also find information on wealth management and investment strategies.

Conclusion

In conclusion, these three Canadian stocks are ideal for long-term growth and dividend income. They have demonstrated strong financials, competitive advantages, and growth potential, making them worth buying and holding onto for years to come. By investing in these stocks, Canadian investors can benefit from a diversified portfolio and potentially achieve their long-term financial goals.