Gold can really feel like the proper Tax-Free Financial savings Account (TFSA) protect, till it begins performing like a curler coaster. Late January confirmed that clearly. Gold touched a document close to US$5,354 an oz after which fell nearly 13% in two classes earlier than it tried to regular itself.
When that occurs, “security” begins to really feel like stress. Dividend shares can look higher as a result of the return doesn’t depend on a purchaser paying extra tomorrow. The money arrives on schedule, and you may reinvest it.
DIR. ONE
Dream Industrial REIT (TSX:DIR.UN) seems related now because it offers you publicity to industrial actual property, not simply price chatter. Warehouses and logistics house nonetheless matter as firms rethink provide chains and preserve pushing items via Canada and Europe. The actual property funding belief (REIT) spreads its portfolio throughout areas, which might soften a weak patch in any single market. It pays month-to-month, which helps you keep affected person when markets chop round.
Information over the past yr introduced a transparent catalyst. In December 2025, Dream Industrial introduced a strategic partnership with CPP Investments and an $805 million portfolio recapitalization. It additionally suspended its DRIP beginning with the distribution payable in mid-January 2026, which retains payouts easy and preserves flexibility. In January, it held the month-to-month distribution at $0.70 annualized.
The newest reported earnings present the engine nonetheless runs. In Q3 2025, Dream Industrial produced funds from operations (FFO) of $0.27 per unit, up 4.3% yr over yr. Comparative properties NOI got here in at $103.8 million, up 6.4%, and internet rental revenue rose to $98.4 million. In-place and dedicated occupancy sat at 95.4% at September 30, 2025. If hire progress stays agency and occupancy stays excessive, the distribution ought to maintain up.
APR.UN
Automotive Properties REIT (TSX:APR.UN) seems related now for a special purpose. It owns dealership and unique tools administration (OEM)-related actual property with lengthy leases, and tenants deal with these websites as core working areas. That may create sticky hire streams and predictable money circulation. It additionally pays month-to-month, which fits a TFSA plan constructed on regular reinvestment.
Latest information leaned into progress and revenue. In Q2 2025, the REIT introduced agreements to amass seven automotive properties, and it elevated its month-to-month distribution to $0.067 per unit, or $0.804 annualized. It additionally set Mar. 4, 2026 as the discharge date for This autumn and full-year 2025 outcomes, which supplies buyers a near-term checkpoint.
The newest quarter on document confirmed continued progress. In Q3 2025, rental income rose 7.9% to $25.4 million, and money internet working revenue (NOI) elevated 6.5% to $21 million. Adjusted FFO elevated 8.8% to $12.7 million, or $0.252 per unit, and the REIT reported an AFFO payout ratio of about 81%. That protection seems superb, however it leaves much less cushion than that of Dream Industrial if charges or leasing situations worsen.
Backside line
These two dividend shares may beat gold for some TFSA buyers as a result of they flip volatility right into a reinvestment plan as a substitute of a guessing recreation. In reality, right here’s what $7,000 in every dividend inventory can herald.
| COMPANY | RECENT PRICE | NUMBER OF SHARES | ANNUAL DIVIDEND | ANNUAL TOTAL PAYOUT | FREQUENCY | TOTAL INVESTMENT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DIR. ONE | $13.31 | 525 | $0.70 | $367.50 | Month-to-month | $6,987.75 |
| APR.UN | $11.31 | 618 | $0.81 | $500.58 | Month-to-month | $6,989.58 |
Gold can soar after which snap again quick, as January proved. DIR.UN and APR.UN can nonetheless fall when markets de-risk, and charges can nonetheless lean on REIT costs. However if you’d like month-to-month money circulation you’ll be able to compound whereas gold swings round, these two investments can supply a calmer path.