A $2,000 capital outlay is comparatively small, however it may purchase shares of high Canadian corporations and construct a diversified basis in 2026. The “sturdy buys” at this time are Fortis (TSX:FTS), Alimentation Couche-Tard(TSX:ATD), and Imperial Oil (TSX:IMO).
Collectively, the three shares present a right away hedge in opposition to market volatility. This 12 months, the funding panorama is shifting dramatically away from tech dominance. You want a well-balanced, resilient portfolio.
Earnings
Fortis wears a crown. The highest-tier utility inventory is a dividend king, owing to 52 consecutive years of dividend will increase. At $76.32 per share, the dividend provide is 3.3%. FTS delivered a 24% optimistic return in 2025 amid the tariff warfare. The $38.6 billion regulated electrical and gasoline utility firm targets dividend development of 4% to six% yearly via 2030.
Web earnings in each This fall and full-year 2025 elevated 7% year-over-year to $422 million and $1.7 billion, respectively. Its President and CEO, David Hutchens, mentioned 2025 was one other 12 months of sturdy monetary and operational efficiency. He notes the expansion of regulated utilities.
Hutchens added that the brand new five-year capital plan (2026 to 2030) of $28.8 billion will drive long-term charge base development of seven% and assist the dividend development steering. Fortis sees additional development alternatives past the plan, together with elevated vitality infrastructure investments to speed up load development.
Progress
Like Fortis, Couche-Tard is a defensive holding however with double the market cap. The $76.8 billion firm is the chief within the international comfort retailer trade. About 13,200 shops out of the full 17,300 provide street transportation gas. This shopper staples inventory trades at $82.95 per share and pays a modest however 1% dividend.
On February 11, 2026, its President and CEO, Alex Miller, introduced the Core + Extra technique. Miller mentioned it represents the subsequent stage of Couche-Tard’s development journey. “This technique is about turning the total energy of our scale, community, and other people into better worth for our shareholders,” he added. Furthermore, Core + Extra helps earnings development and disciplined capital deployment.
From year-end fiscal 2026 to fiscal 2030, administration targets a 6% to eight% compounded annual development charge in adjusted EBITDA. For fiscal 2026 alone, the anticipated free money movement (FCF) exceeds US$2.5 billion. Couche-Tard will proceed to pursue offers, however on the correct timing.
Worth
Imperial Oil provides worth to this portfolio and much more. The $76.7 billion built-in vitality firm achieved downstream refinery capability utilization of 94% in This fall and 93% in full-year 2025. The 438,000 gross oil-equivalent barrels per day for the 12 months was the best annual manufacturing in over 30 years. Its renewable diesel facility began operations in July 2025.
Trying forward, its Chairman, President and CEO, John Wheelan, is assured that Imperial Oil can profitably develop volumes, decrease unit money prices, and proceed its ongoing restructuring. In the course of the earnings name, Wheelan introduced a 20% dividend hike.
If you happen to make investments at this time, IMO trades at $158.50 per share and pays a 2.1% dividend. This massive-cap inventory boasts a 31-year dividend development streak.
Volatility safety
A recommended allocation is $750 every for Fortis and Imperial Oil and $500 for Alimentation Couche-Tard. You’d have an ‘earnings and worth heavy’ portfolio with volatility safety in 2026. Add extra shares of 1 or all if funds enable.