Some stocks may not sound very exciting right now, especially when everyone is chasing the flashy artificial intelligence (AI) stocks. But building wealth isn’t always about chasing the noise. Sometimes it’s about sticking with fundamentally strong companies with strong cash flows, stable dividends and a healthy track record of profitable growth. And if you hold such stocks long enough, they can deliver solid returns without all the drama.
That’s why in this article I highlight two such ‘boring’ Canadian stocks that have been doing the right things behind the scenes and can quietly make you rich by 2035.
Metro stock
Subway (TSX:MRU) could be a great stock that may not move quickly but continues to deliver strong results quarter after quarter. The company operates a wide range of retail food and pharmacy banners in Quebec and Ontario, including Metro, Super C and Food Basics. MRU stock is trading at $92.04 per share, after rising 11% over the past year, giving it a market capitalization of nearly $19.9 billion. The company also pays a quarterly dividend with a current annualized yield of 1.6%.
The company’s third quarter results (ending June 2025) clearly reflected Metro’s continued focus on reliable execution despite ongoing macroeconomic uncertainties. During the quarter, revenue rose 3.3% year-over-year (YoY) to $6.87 billion. While Metro’s same-store sales in food increased 1.9% year over year, Metro recorded a 5.5% increase in same-store sales in pharmacy thanks to strong demand for prescription drugs and healthcare products. Similarly, the company’s online food sales also rose 14.4% from a year ago.
One of the key factors I really like about Metro is its ability to keep costs under control as the company expands. Last quarter, the company opened five new food stores and plans to continue that pace in the fourth quarter. Meanwhile, the company has also invested heavily in its retail network and supply chain, including automation technologies and a new distribution center in Terrebonne, which earned it a provincial tax exemption.
With a strong balance sheet, improving margins and consistent dividend payments, Metro has all the right ingredients to continue to deliver high returns over the next decade.
Great-West Lifeco shares
Now let’s go to Great West Lifeco (TSX:GWO), an insurance and asset management giant that may not make headlines, but it delivers where it counts. This financial services holding company operates in Canada, the United States and Europe through brands such as Canada Life, Empower and Irish Life.
After rising 25% over the past year, GWO stock is currently trading at $57.50 per share with a market cap of approximately $53.2 billion. It has a strong annualized yield of 4.2% with quarterly payouts.
In the second quarter of 2025, Greater West’s record base revenues rose 11% year over year to $1.15 billion. This performance was mainly driven by growth in the wealth and group benefits business, as well as higher equity markets.
Despite some credit-related effects, US base earnings were still higher than last year. For the quarter, the company’s Canadian operations also posted stronger results, supported by strong disability insurance experiences and disciplined pricing.
Great-West ended the June quarter with a solid capital position, a life insurance capital adequacy test ratio of 132% and $2.1 billion in cash. Overall, strong earnings growth, rising dividends and global expansion efforts give the Great West plenty of room to continue building wealth for long-term investors.
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