To earn strong returns on your investments, you don’t always have to chase risky, high-flying stocks or wait for the next market hype. Sometimes the best path forward is to stick with the proven companies that have weathered recessions, expanded across borders and still manage to reward their loyal investors in good times and bad.
Whether you’re planning for retirement or are simply looking for stable long-term returns, holding these large-cap stocks can provide the balance between attractive dividends and future upside. In this article I highlight two of them TSX-listed dividend stocks that you can buy today and feel good about holding for years to come.
Bank of Montreal shares
First, there is a heavyweight in the banking sector, Bank of Montreal (TSX:BMO), which offers a great mix of strong fundamentals with decades of reliable dividends. Better known as BMO, it is one of Canada’s oldest banks and remains a top choice for long-term investors. The bank is active in the personal and commercial banking, asset management and capital markets segments.
After rallying over 30% in the past year, BMO stock is currently trading at $171.21 per share with a market cap of $122.5 billion, and pays a quarterly dividend with an annualized yield of 3.8%.
In the third quarter of fiscal 2025 (three months ending in July), BMO delivered another solid performance, with a 25% year-over-year (year-over-year) increase in net profit to $2.3 billion. This strong performance was supported by sales growth in the US and Canadian operations, stricter cost control and lower credit losses.
During the quarter, the provision for credit losses also improved to $797 million, compared to $906 million a year ago, indicating improved credit performance. BMO also announced a quarterly dividend of $1.63 per share, maintaining its streak of rewarding shareholders with consistent payouts.
Looking ahead, BMO’s acquisition of Burgundy Asset Management is expected to further strengthen the wealth management platform, especially among high-net-worth clients. Combined with growing investments in digital and artificial intelligence (AI), these moves could help BMO maintain sustainable growth and an attractive dividend yield – a combination that long-term investors will want to see.
Manulife financial shares
The following is Manulife financial (TSX:MFC), a global insurance and asset management powerhouse that continues to evolve with the times. Based in Toronto, it is a top international insurer and investment firm active in Canada, Asia and the US
Interestingly, MFC shares are up more than 100% in the last three years. As a result, it currently trades at $47.66 per share, giving it a market cap of approximately $80.7 billion and a dividend yield of 3.7%.
For the third quarter of 2025 (ending September), Manulife posted a 10% year-over-year increase in core revenues to $2 billion at constant exchange rates. The company’s core return on equity also improved to 18.1% during the quarter, indicating strong profitability.
Broken down by region, Asia’s core profits rose 29% year-over-year on higher sales and favorable underwriting experiences. Meanwhile, profits from the global wealth and asset management segment rose 9%, supported by higher performance fees and cost discipline.
Beyond numbers, Manulife is driving digital transformation through AI-powered solutions such as the AI Assistant in Hong Kong and new digital tools in Canada and the US, making the company more customer-centric. These initiatives, combined with its strong capital position and growing international footprint, make Manulife a solid choice for investors seeking consistent dividends and long-term growth.
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