With the TSX Index buying and selling near all-time highs, it is perhaps time to get extra defensive in some strong dividend shares. When the inventory market begins to tumble, high quality dividend shares are typically much less risky.

Likewise, whereas the market dips, you’ll be able to earn passive dividend earnings that may assist set off any losses. Dividend earnings is good to earn when the market is bearish. You not less than know some returns might be earned by the downdraft.

If you happen to had $8,000 to speculate in the present day, listed here are 4 dividend shares that would collectively earn just below $400 yearly.

A restaurant inventory for dividend earnings

A&W Meals Companies (TSX:AW) operates one in all Canada’s beloved burger manufacturers. The model title and affiliation with constant high quality and repair assist present a protecting moat across the enterprise.

The corporate is more likely to develop on the fee of inflation, however not way more. Nevertheless, it has a gentle enterprise mannequin that generates good money stream to help its dividend.

This dividend inventory yields 5.29%. A $2,000 funding in A&W Meals Companies would earn $26.95 quarterly, or $107.80 annualized.

A high Canadian infrastructure inventory

One other strong inventory for dividends is Pembina Pipeline (TSX:PPL). It’s one of many largest midstream and pipeline gamers in Western Canada. It has constructed out the infrastructure and community to allow vitality producers to effectively get their product to market.

Over 85% of its earnings is contracted. That earnings helps its dividend by a large margin. The corporate generates sturdy free money flows, so it will possibly self-fund progress tasks with none fairness dilution. A few of its future progress will come from an LNG terminal being developed, assortment pipeline improvement, and a possible information centre energy advanced.

Pembina yields 5.3%. It has resumed a dividend-growth posture prior to now few years. A $,2000 funding would earn $25.56 quarterly, or $102.24 annualized.

A residential actual property inventory

BSR REIT (TSX:HOM.UN) is a Canadian-listed inventory that operates solely within the U.S. Sunbelt. This dividend inventory has over 7,000 residential rental items in resort-style communities.

In 2024 and 2025, BSR received caught with a little bit of oversupply in its core markets. That has impacted money stream progress. The excellent news is that it’s positioned in among the fastest-growing markets in America. That provide is shortly getting absorbed, and a provide deficit is imminent. You get to select up the inventory simply earlier than money flows begin to rise once more. Its valuation within reason engaging now.

BSR yields 4.98% proper now. A $2,000 funding in BSR would earn $8.30 month-to-month, or $99.60 annualized.

An industrial actual property inventory for steady dividends

Granite REIT (TSX:GRT.UN) is one other actual property play, however with a give attention to industrial properties. It has a extremely high-quality portfolio that’s complemented by among the finest steadiness sheets within the trade.

Granite has +97% occupancy. Its high-quality properties proceed to see demand from main tenants. Money flows per unit are up 8% this yr. That’s after 9% progress final yr. The corporate is restarting its acquisition plan, so there may very well be progress from each lease renewals and new properties.

This dividend inventory yields 4.4%. It has raised its dividend for 15 consecutive years. A $2,000 funding would earn $7.40 month-to-month, or $88.75 annualized.