Some individuals who need to keep invested desire shopping for shares in tranches quite than a single lump sum. Breaking a big quantity into smaller scheduled investments is a scientific, defensive strategy. At this time, for instance, a $2,500 funding can create a balanced basis that may mitigate potential headwinds given the present financial situations.
Selecting Canadian Utilities (TSX:CU) and Kinross Gold (TSX:Ok) to your subsequent $2,500 isn’t a raffle however a sensible method to earn defensive earnings and hedge in opposition to inflation or geopolitical dangers. The previous is a dividend knight, whereas the latter is a safe-haven asset when markets get tough.
Revenue anchor
How will you not love Canadian Utilities? The highest-tier utility inventory has a 54-year observe document of dividend will increase. Your advantages are capital safety and dependable, recurring earnings streams. At $43.28 per share, the TSX’s first dividend knight pays a hefty 4.26% dividend, with a quarterly payout.
This most up-to-date hike signifies the board’s confidence within the firm’s monetary stability and long-term money movement profile inside the sector through which it operates. Whereas the utility inventory is charge delicate, it stands out for its engaging yield and low volatility.
The $11.5 billion diversified power infrastructure firm derives roughly 90% of its earnings from regulated utilities and long-term contracted property. CU is typically known as a bond proxy because of this.
Within the third quarter (Q3) of 2025, 95% of the $402 million capital expenditures went into regulated utilities. Bob Myles, CEO of Canadian Utilities, stated the corporate is on observe with its progress plans. For 2026, the main focus is on main gasoline transmission and energy line initiatives, the Yellowhead Pipeline for gasoline and Central East Switch-Out (CETO) for energy.
The Yellowhead Pipeline, a $2.8 billion pure gasoline undertaking, would enhance Alberta’s power infrastructure. In keeping with administration, the development of the 230 km pure gasoline pipeline will begin this 12 months. In the meantime, the in-service date for the $280 million CETO undertaking, an 85-km, 240 kV energy line to combine renewable power in Alberta, is Q2 2026.
Canadian Utilities expects the overall $6.1 billion investments in regulated utilities from 2025 to 2027 to extend the $15.9 billion charge base and contribute important earnings and money flows.
Volatility buffer
Metals and mining shares, together with Kinross Gold, profit from rising gold and silver costs. Each valuable metals hit document costs already in January 2026, pushed by geopolitical and financial uncertainty.
As of this writing, Kinross trades at $46.30 per share and pays a modest 0.67% dividend following a 17% annual improve. In 2025, the gold inventory’s complete return was +192%. It additionally ranked twelfth within the TSX30 Checklist, an annual rating of Canada’s 30 top-performing shares.
The $55.2 billion senior gold mining firm operates mines in the USA, Brazil, Chile, and Mauritania. Its world-class Nice Bear Venture in Crimson Lake, Ontario, helps a big, long-life mine advanced and has a long-term manufacturing outlook.
In Q3 2025, free money movement (FCF) reached a document $686.7 million, bringing the overall FCF to greater than $1.7 billion after three quarters. Its CEO, J. Paul Rollinson, stated, “Trying forward, we’re excited by the progress throughout our progress pipeline.”
Defensive mixture
You may cut up your subsequent $2,500 (50/50) between Canadian Utilities and Kinross Gold. The defensive mixture can climate the financial turbulence in 2026.
