2 Dividend Stocks I’d Feel Comfortable Holding for the Next Two Decades

The Toronto Stock Exchange has been riding on a three-day winning streak since the start of April, though many analysts believe it’s a relief rally within a war-fatigued market. With expanded military operations in the Iran conflict more likely than peace negotiations, the stock market will continue to struggle in finding a clear direction.

Given the heightened geopolitical risks, investors with long-term horizons should anchor their portfolios with blue-chip companies that have endured past major conflicts, including financial crises of the last century.

If I’m staying invested for the next two decades, I’d buy shares of the Bank of Montreal (TSX:BMO) and Fortis (TSX:FTS). Both dividend stocks provide recurring income stability and long-term peace of mind.

Dividend pioneer

Canada’s banking sector earned its global reputation as a bedrock of stability through its historical resilience and tempered but sustained growth. BMO is not only the country’s oldest bank but also the TSX’s dividend pioneer. The $133.7 billion bank has been paying dividends since 1829. BMO currently trades at $191.13 per share and pays an ultra-safe 3.5% dividend.

The premier bank extended full support to Canadian forces in both World Wars I and II. Around 1,500 bank employees served during the Second World War, while 230 bankers perished in the First. Both military conflicts reshaped the institution and fueled its expansion.

In addition to the two World Wars, BMO demonstrated strength and endurance during the Great Depression and the COVID-19 global pandemic (2020). BMO continues to actively support military communities in Canada and the United States to this day. The Big Bank invests in housing, education, mental health, and cultural programs and ensures military families and veterans have the resources to build a strong future.

In addition to the two World Wars, BMO demonstrated strength and endurance during the Great Depression (1929 to 1939) and the COVID-19 global pandemic (2020). From an investment perspective, BMO ranks high in financial strength, profitability, and growth prospects.     

BMO had a strong start to fiscal 2026, but it is not insulated from trade tensions, geopolitical risks, and interest rate volatility. Nonetheless, its diversified business model provides a hedge against massive headwinds. More importantly, Canada’s financial system has a highly structured regulatory framework.

Canadian Big Banks, as mandated by the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI), must maintain sufficient buffers to absorb potential losses.  

Dividend king

The modern-day Fortis was incorporated decades after 20th-century conflicts, but its predecessor companies survived both World Wars. Today, this $40.2 billion electric and gas utility company is a verified Dividend King, owing to 52 consecutive years of dividend increases.

According to its President and CEO, David Hutchens, the new $28.8 billion five-year capital plan focuses on utility infrastructure. He expects it to drive long-term rate base growth of 7%. Moreover, it supports the annual dividend growth target of 4% to 6% through 2030.

Performance-wise, FTS has been relatively stable amid extreme volatility in 2026. Also, the overall return in 20 years is plus-643.5%. If you invest today, the share price is $78.83, while the dividend yield is 3.2%.   

Legacy holdings

BMO and Fortis are built for the long term, not only for a two-decade horizon. Both dividend stocks are legacy holdings, with many shareholders never needing to sell them.

The post 2 Dividend Stocks I’d Feel Comfortable Holding for the Next Two Decades appeared first on The Motley Fool Canada.

Should you invest $1,000 in Bank Of Montreal right now?

Before you buy stock in Bank Of Montreal, consider this:

The Motley Fool Canada team has identified what they believe are the top 10 TSX stocks for 2026… and Bank Of Montreal wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could potentially produce monster returns in the coming years.

Consider MercadoLibre, which we first recommended on January 8, 2014 … if you invested $1,000 in the “eBay of Latin America” at the time of our recommendation, you’d have over $16,000!*

Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor Canada’s total average return is 87%* – a market-crushing outperformance compared to 76%* for the S&P/TSX Composite Index. Don’t miss out on our top 10 stocks, available when you join our mailing list!

Get the 10 stocks instantly #start_btn6 { background: #0e6d04 none repeat scroll 0 0; color: #fff; font-size: 1.2em; font-family: 'Montserrat', sans-serif; font-weight: 600; height: auto; line-height: 1.2em; margin: 30px 0; max-width: 350px; text-align: center; width: auto; box-shadow: 0 1px 0 rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5), 0 1px 0 #fff inset, 0 0 2px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); border-radius: 5px; } #start_btn6 a { color: #fff; display: block; padding: 20px; padding-right:1em; padding-left:1em; } #start_btn6 a:hover { background: #FFE300 none repeat scroll 0 0; color: #000; } @media (max-width: 480px) { div#start_btn6 { font-size:1.1em; max-width: 320px;} } margin_bottom_5 { margin-bottom:5px; } margin_top_10 { margin-top:10px; }

* Returns as of March 24th, 2026

More reading

• Fortis vs. the Rest: How Does It Compare to Other Canadian Utility Stocks?
• The Everyday Companies Bay Street Is Ignoring — but Main Street Can’t Live Without
• 3 TSX Dividend Stocks With Payout Ratios That Actually Hold Up to Scrutiny
• 3 Stocks I’d Buy Today and Hold Comfortably All the Way to 2031
• One Canadian Dividend Stock Built to Hold in Any Market

Fool contributor Christopher Liew has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Fortis. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.