2 Top Stocks Long-Term Investors Should Buy in March
Alex Smith
4 hours ago
Amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East and concerns about the impact of elevated oil and natural gas prices on inflation, investor sentiment has weakened, leading to increased volatility in global equity markets. The Canadian benchmark, the S&P/TSX Composite Index, has also pulled back, declining 7.7% from its recent highs.
However, long-term investors should avoid getting distracted by short-term fluctuations and instead use such pullbacks to accumulate high-quality stocks with strong fundamentals. With that in mind, here are two top-quality stocks that investors can consider buying now to generate superior long-term returns.
Dollarama
First on my list is Dollarama (TSX:DOL), which has declined about 20% from its 52-week high, creating a potential buying opportunity. The discount retailer recently reported mixed fourth-quarter results, with revenue rising 11.7% to $2.1 billion, driven by contributions from its 402 Australian stores, new store openings in Canada, and same-store sales growth of 1.5%. However, same-store sales came in below analystsâ expectations of 2.6%, which management attributed to unfavourable weather and calendar shifts.
Despite the softer same-store sales, Dollaramaâs operating income increased 13.3%, supported by strong top-line growth. However, margin pressures emerged, with operating margins declining from 29.7% in the previous yearâs quarter to 27.8% due to lower gross margins and higher SG&A (selling, general, and administrative) expenses. Meanwhile, diluted EPS (earnings per share) rose 2.1% year over year to $1.43, slightly exceeding analystsâ expectations.
Looking ahead, management provided fiscal 2027 guidance, expecting to open 60â70 new stores this year and generate same-store sales growth of 3â4%, slightly below consensus estimates. Additionally, it plans to make capital expenditures of $420â$470 million this fiscal year, up from $252.6 million. Lower same-store sales projections and increased capital expenditure appear to have raised investor concerns, contributing to recent stock weakness.
However, the companyâs long-term fundamentals remain strong. Its average ticket size grew 3.1% in the fourth quarter, highlighting resilient consumer demand. Dollarama also plans to expand its Canadian store network from 1,691 locations to 2,200 by fiscal 2034, while growing its Australian footprint to 700 stores.
Further support comes from the growing contributions of its investments in Central American Retail Sourcing (CARS) and Inversiones Comerciales Mexicanas (ICM). Given these multiple growth drivers, the recent pullback presents an attractive entry point for long-term investors seeking sustained returns.
Waste Connections
Second on my list is Waste Connections (TSX:WCN), a waste management company operating in secondary and exclusive markets across the United States and Canada. The stock has been under pressure over the past year, declining by more than 23.5% from its 52-week high due to weaker recycled commodity prices, lower renewable energy credits from landfill-gas sales, lower solid-waste volumes, and delays in reopening its Chiquita Canyon landfill.
Despite these near-term headwinds, the companyâs long-term outlook remains strong. Waste Connections continues to expand through both organic growth initiatives and strategic acquisitions. It has recently opened five renewable natural gas (RNG) facilities and plans to bring additional projects online later this year. It is also developing a modern recycling facility, which the company hopes to commission next year. Along with these organic growth initiatives, the company expects to maintain an active acquisition strategy, given its strong balance sheet and solid financial position.
Beyond expansion, the company focuses on improving efficiency and productivity through technology, including AI-driven solutions. Its efforts to enhance employee engagement and safety could further reduce employee voluntary turnover and improve customer retention.
With a solid balance sheet and multiple growth drivers, Waste Connections appears well-positioned for long-term growth. Investors with a three-year or longer horizon could consider accumulating the stock despite near-term volatility.
The post 2 Top Stocks Long-Term Investors Should Buy in March appeared first on The Motley Fool Canada.
Should you invest $1,000 in Dollarama Inc. right now?
Before you buy stock in Dollarama Inc., consider this:
The Motley Fool Canada team has identified what they believe are the top 10 TSX stocks for 2026⦠and Dollarama Inc. wasnât 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 âeBay of Latin Americaâ at the time of our recommendation, youâd 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
- The Best Stocks to Buy With $1,000 Right Now
- When Doing Nothing Is the Smartest Investment Move
- 4 Canadian Stocks to Refresh Your TFSA Right Now
- Market Overreacts? Dollaramaâs 10% Post-Earnings Drop Looks Like a Golden Entry Point
- 2 Cheap Canadian Stocks Worth Snapping Up While They’re on Sale
Fool contributor Rajiv Nanjapla has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Dollarama. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Related Articles
If I Could Only Buy and Hold a Single Stock, This Would Be It
Looking for the best stock to buy and hold? Discover why Shopify is a long-term...
Is Air Canada Stock a Buy After Falling 8.4% This Year?
What should investors do with Air Canada stock? The post Is Air Canada Stock a B...
Down 60%, This Dividend Stock Is Worth a Closer Look
The ugly slide in Allied Properties REIT shares means its yield is about 8%, but...
The Canadian Blue-Chip Stock Trading at Bargain Prices Right Now
Telus (TSX:T) stock is starting to move lower again, but it is looking way too c...