There are always risks involved when investing for any type of passive income. The stock market is currently facing economic headwinds from rapidly rising interest rates and high inflation. This explains the high level of volatility in stocks in 2022.
Diversify for lower-risk passive income investing
Owning a diversified portfolio of stocks is one way to reduce (not eliminate) these risks. Owning stocks in various market segments and industries falls under this category. This can be accomplished by purchasing index funds or sector-specific exchange-traded funds (ETFs).
If you don’t mind being more active, you can often earn a higher yield by assembling your own portfolio of passive income stocks. You can help hedge your risks by diversifying across several stocks.
If you only have $5,000 to invest, here are some ideas for diversifying your portfolio to create a relatively safe passive income.
Real estate stocks
Instead of purchasing a private investment property, consider purchasing real estate investment trusts (REITs). REITs are currently trading at attractive dividend yields and valuations. Granite REIT (TSX:GRT.UN) is a favorite because it is extremely defensive while also having a strong growth pipeline.
Granite has a substantial portfolio of logistics and manufacturing properties in Canada, the United States, and Europe. Industrial real estate has long been a thriving market segment. In recent years, this has supported 99% occupancy, rapid rental rate growth, and high single-digit earnings growth. It has a strong balance sheet.
Granite has a nice 4.5% dividend yield that has steadily increased over the last 12 years. Choice Properties REIT (4.9% yield) and Dream Industrial REIT (5.4% yield) are two other solid real estate stocks to consider for safe passive income.
Utilities for passive income
A great place to look for passive income is in the utilities sector due to their defensive assets and frequently regulated stream of income. Fortis (TSX:FTS) is one of the biggest pure-play regulated electricity and gas distribution utilities and a relatively safe stock for dividends. In fact, it is one of only a select few Canadian stocks that has increased its dividend for 49 years in a row!
While Fortis has a significant amount of debt to fund its capital-intensive business, the majority of it is fixed and long-term. As a result, Fortis should be able to fund its capital expansion plan while still delivering mid-single-digit growth for the foreseeable future. It currently pays a well-covered dividend yield of 4.1%.
Hydro One (3% yield), Canadian Utilities (4.8% yield), and Northland Power (3.15% yield) are some other Canadian utilities to consider for passive income.
Energy
Dividends are well-known among Canadian energy stocks. Canadian Natural Resources operates one of Canada’s most defensive and predictable energy production businesses. Given its low-cost production, strong free cash flows, long-term reserves, and 20-plus years of dividend growth history, the company’s 4.5% dividend yield is quite sustainable.
Energy infrastructure is an even more secure place to generate passive income. Dividends are supported by defensive, contracted assets in stocks such as Enbridge (6.77% yield) and Pembina Pipeline (5.7% yield). AltaGas (4.77% yield) and Brookfield Infrastructure Partners (4.5% yield) are appealing due to their diverse business portfolios, low-risk growth, and rising dividends.
The takeaway
Many stocks that generate passive income are on sale following the market’s decline. Railroad/transportation stocks, financials (banks and asset managers), and industrials are also viable options for passive income. Hopefully, you’ve gained some insight into how to construct a diversified, lower-risk portfolio of passive income stocks for 2023.
