In order for you one dividend-growth inventory you should buy, ignore, and nonetheless brag about in 2046, you want two issues directly: a dividend that rises and a worth that also seems affordable at the moment. A real Canadian dividend-growth inventory earns sufficient to raise its payout with out pressure, it sits in a sector with sturdy demand, and raises distributions by means of totally different cycles. “Low cost” doesn’t imply damaged. It means you pay a modest a number of for regular earnings, you acquire a strong yield now, and also you give compounding room to work.
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BIG
Nice-West Lifeco (TSX: BIG) matches that invoice because it runs a sturdy enterprise with a large footprint. It sells life and medical insurance, retirement merchandise, and wealth administration by means of manufacturers resembling Canada Life, plus giant operations in the USA and Europe. Insurance coverage sounds boring, however boring turns into stunning when it throws off money yr after yr. Nice-West additionally advantages from scale, which helps value management and disciplined pricing.
The final yr introduced a transparent message from administration: maintain rewarding shareholders whereas rising the core. In January 2026, it renewed its regular course issuer bid, which lets it purchase again as much as 20 million shares over the next yr. The dividend inventory additionally highlighted the tempo of repurchases in 2025, when it purchased again about $1.63 billion value of shares.
Then February 2026 delivered the headline dividend traders love. Nice-West introduced a ten% improve to its quarterly frequent dividendtaking it to $0.67 per share, payable on the finish of March. That transfer constructed on an extended sample of regular will increase and signalled confidence in earnings energy. It additionally arrived with a reminder that the steadiness sheet has respiratory room, with holding-company money of $2.1 billion.
Earnings assist
Within the fourth quarter of 2025, Nice-West posted complete base earnings of $1.25 billion, up from $1.12 billion a yr earlier. For the complete yr, it delivered $4.65 billion in base earnings, up from $4.2 billion. Web earnings from persevering with operations got here in at $1.05 billion for the quarter and $3.96 billion for the yr. These numbers present a enterprise that may develop by means of combine, markets, and execution.
The drivers seemed diversified, which issues for a decades-long maintain. In This fall 2025, the U.S. section produced $440 million in base earnings, whereas Canada added $400 million, Europe $256 million, and Capital and Danger Options $258 million. Administration pointed to greater charge and unfold earnings within the U.S. from stronger markets and gross sales momentum, plus enhancing insurance coverage expertise in Canada. Europe additionally noticed a rebound in U.Ok. bulk annuity gross sales, with $1.5 billion in This fall.
Nice-West’s ahead dividend sits round $2.50 per share, which works out to roughly a 3.85% yield at writing, and the payout ratio sits close to 57%. That leaves room for extra progress, even when earnings cool off. The dividend inventory additionally trades round an 11 occasions ahead earnings a number of, with a price-to-book close to two. Guide worth per share ended 2025 at $28.07, which provides traders one other anchor when markets get loud and jumpy once more. Proper now, you can subsequently get an ideal deal on a strong dividend, even with $7,000.
| COMPANY | RECENT PRICE | NUMBER OF SHARES | ANNUAL DIVIDEND | ANNUAL TOTAL PAYOUT | FREQUENCY | TOTAL INVESTMENT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BIG | $63.21 | 110 | $2.50 | $275.00 | Quarterly | $6,953.10 |
Backside line
The dangers deserve a fast, sincere nod. A pointy equity-market drop can stress charge earnings, and credit score stress can damage insurers quick. Regulatory capital guidelines can shift, and competitors can warmth up in wealth and retirement. Nonetheless, Nice-West has scale, robust capital, and a shareholder-friendly playbook. In order for you one extremely low-cost Canadian dividend-growth inventory to purchase now and maintain for many years, Nice-West Lifeco seems just like the sort of regular machine that may quietly make you wealthier whilst you get on together with your life.