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Stocks for Beginners

Investing in stocks can feel intimidating at first, but it’s one of the most effective ways to build long-term wealth. For beginners, the key idea to understand is that there’s no “perfect” time to start—because historically, markets have trended upward over long periods despite short-term ups and downs. Whether markets are rising or falling, consistent investing over time has rewarded patient investors, making any time a good time to begin if your focus is long-term growth.

More importantly, the stock market allows your money to work for you, rather than relying solely on your own time and effort to generate income. By investing in stocks, you’re putting your capital to work in businesses that grow, innovate, and generate profits—often compounding returns year after year. Instead of trading hours for dollars, investing gives you the opportunity to build wealth in the background while you focus on your career, goals, or everyday life.

To learn more about Stocks for Beginners and how to actually buy stocks in Canada, take a look at our Guide to How to Start Investing in Canada for all the details.

Top Articles

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Stocks for Beginners

3 Canadian Companies Powering the AI Revolution [PREMIUM PICKS]

| Motley Fool Staff

AI energy consumption is expected to double by 2026, and these companies could be set to profit from the boom.

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Striking match creates fire and light.
Stocks for Beginners

10 Stocks Every Canadian Should Own in 2025 [PREMIUM PICKS]

| Iain Butler

The Motley Fool's yearly list of "Starter Stocks" is our attempt to answer a simple question: “Where do I go…

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A celebrity is photographed on a red carpet.
Stocks for Beginners

Can You Guess the 10 Most Popular Canadian Stocks? (If You Own Them, You Might Be Losing Out.)

| Iain Butler

The list is woefully predictable.

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Striking match creates fire and light.
Stocks for Beginners

Just Released: 10 Stocks Every Canadian Should Own in 2024 [PREMIUM PICKS]

| Iain Butler

The Motley Fool's yearly list of "Starter Stocks" is our attempt to answer a simple question: “Where do I go…

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top TSX stocks to buy
Stocks for Beginners

Just Released: The 5 Best Stocks to Buy in February 2023 [PREMIUM PICKS]

| Iain Butler

Making money investing in stocks is not hard -- often, all you need is patience.

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Stocks for Beginners

TFSA Investors: 10 Stocks Every Canadian Should Own in 2023 [PREMIUM PICKS]

| Iain Butler

Motley Fool Stock Advisor's yearly list of "Starter Stocks" is our attempt to answer a simple question: “Where do I…

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two people use AI to examine a house
Stocks for Beginners

Just Released: The 5 Best Stocks to Buy in January 2023 [PREMIUM PICKS]

| Iain Butler

Let’s cut to the chase: It’s absolutely true that shares of Redfin, an online real estate platform, have fallen 93%…

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Striking match creates fire and light.
Stocks for Beginners

Just Released: 10 Stocks Every Canadian Should Own in 2023 [PREMIUM PICKS]

| Iain Butler

Our yearly list of "Starter Stocks" is our attempt to answer a simple question: “Where do I go first?”

Read more »

Recent Stocks for Beginners News

Stocks for Beginners

3 Top Themes for TSX Investors Buying Stocks in June

| Victoria Hetherington

Find out why Canadian stocks like BCE (TSX:BCE)(NYSE:BCE) satisfy major growth themes arising from the current market.

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Dividend Stocks

TSX Stock Market: Where to Save Your Money

| Debra Ray

Is the SNC-Lavalin Group Inc (TSX:SNC) stock finally going to rebound after COVID-19 caused volatility on the Toronto Stock Exchange…

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Dividend Stocks

TFSA Investors: 2 TSX Dividend Kings That Haven’t Missed a Payout in Over 100 Years

| Joey Frenette

TFSA investors should look to buy BCE Inc. (TSX:BCE)(NYSE:BCE) and another Dividend King while they're still super cheap.

Read more »

Stocks for Beginners

How I’d Put $5,000 To Work on the TSX Today

| Robin Brown

The TSX is volatile, but there are still plenty of opportunities. If I had $5,000, here is where I would…

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Cannabis Stocks

What Should Investors Expect From Canopy Growth (TSX:WEED) Stock?

| Victoria Hetherington

Canopy Growth Corp (TSX:WEED)(NYSE:CGC) alarmed investors heading into June. But what’s the outlook for this divisive cannabis stock?

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Bank Stocks

Will the Big 3 TSX Bank Stocks Cut Their Dividends?

| Kay Ng

Should you avoid the TSX bank stocks such as TD (TSX:TD)(NYSE:TD) stock like a plague or load them up like…

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Stocks for Beginners

Undervalued: This Could Be 1 of the Cheapest Stocks on the TSX Index

| Joey Frenette

Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd. (TSX:FFH) is too cheap for its own good and could correct violently to the upside once…

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Dividend Stocks

Canada Oil News: Saudi Bets on TSX Energy Stocks

| Debra Ray

Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund purchased shares in two TSX oil stocks, including Canadian Natural Resources Ltd (TSX:CNQ)(NYSE:CNQ).

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Tech Stocks

4 Top TSX Tech Stocks to Buy Today

| Victoria Hetherington

Stocks like Constellation Software Inc. (TSX:CSU) are proving that Canadian tech is still a high-growth sector. Here's why four names…

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Stocks for Beginners

2 Canadian Stocks I’d Look to Sell Today

| Joey Frenette

I'd look to sell Cineplex Inc. (TSX:CGX) and another Canadian stock, as the TSX Index continues roaring back to fully…

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

How to Max Your TFSA Limit With TSX Stocks

| Victoria Hetherington

Here’s how dividend stocks like Fortis Inc. (TSX:FTS)(NYSE:FTS) can help balance a Tax-Free Savings Account built around shorter-term capital gains.

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Dividend Stocks

3 Top TSX Stocks to Buy in June

| Robin Brown

Check out these top three TSX stocks in June. Each in their own regard present value, momentum, and income. They…

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Dividend Stocks

Better Than CRA’s CERB: How to Generate $2,000 in Monthly Income With Your TFSA Capital

| Joey Frenette

BMO High Dividend Covered Call Canadian Equity ETF (TSX:ZWC) is a super-high-yielder to hold in your TFSA for monthly income…

Read more »

close-up photo of investor Warren Buffett
Stocks for Beginners

Warren Buffett Isn’t Buying Many Stocks: Should You?

| Kris Knutson

The stock market is a confusing place. Even during the crash, Warren Buffett did not buy stocks. With companies like…

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Metals and Mining Stocks

4 of the Best TSX Gold Stocks That Pay Dividends

| Victoria Hetherington

Appealing stocks like Barrick Gold (TSX:ABX)(NYSE:GOLD) and three other big names in Canadian gold mining pay dividends to investors.

Read more »

Stocks for Beginners

Canada’s Warren Buffett: 2 Beaten-Up TSX Stocks to Buy Now

| Joey Frenette

Fairfax Financial Holdings (TSX:FFH) and another stock run by Canada's Warren Buffett can help give you a long-term, market-beating edge.

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

5 Top Defensive TSX Stocks to Invest in Today

| Victoria Hetherington

Buy Northwest Healthcare REIT (TSX:NWH.UN) and four other defensive dividend stocks to beat the market and grow wealth long-term.

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

CRA’s CERB Is Temporary — But This $2,000/Month Is Permanent!

| Kay Ng

The $2,000 per month CERB money from the CRA is temporary. Here’s how you can generate passive income of more…

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

TSX Rally: If You’re Betting on a V-Shaped Recovery, Here Are 2 Stocks to Buy Now

| Joey Frenette

Cenovus Energy Inc. (TSX:CVE)(NYSE:CVE) and another high-upside stock I'd buy if I were bullish on a V-shaped recovery for the…

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

Millennial Couples: Opportunity of a Decade to Invest for Your Future!

| Kay Ng

Many quality stocks are cheap from the market crash. For example, you can buy Scotiabank (TSX:BNS)(NYSE:BNS) for a big dividend…

Read more »

Bank Stocks

2 Regional Canadian Banks Far Cheaper Than the Big Six

| Joey Frenette

Canadian Western Bank (TSX:CWB) and Laurentian Bank (TSX:LB) are cheaper than the Big Six banks, but are they worthy buys?

Read more »

Stocks for Beginners

Forget Air Canada (TSX:AC): This Airline Stock Is at All-Time Highs!

| Joey Frenette

Air Canada (TSX:AC) is far too speculative a play for many Canadian value investors compared to the likes of a…

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Dividend Stocks

The Best TFSA Investments on the TSX in 2020

| Kay Ng

Aim for the best tax-free TFSA returns with the best investment today. Here's a TSX growth stock that's trading at…

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Stocks for Beginners

Beginner Investors: 2 Strategies to Simplify Investing

| Chris MacDonald

Learn about key strategies for beginner investors, including advice from Warren Buffett. Advice includes using an ETF such as iShares…

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Dividend Stocks

Attention: The Biggest Money Mistake Millennials Are Making!

| Kay Ng

You probably can’t believe that millennials are making this big money mistake. Here’s how not to be one of them.

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Bank Stocks

Are These Top Canadian Bank Stocks Buys Today?

| Victoria Hetherington

Toronto-Dominion Bank (TSX:TD)(NYSE:TD) is among a number of banks experiencing a steep drop in profits. Here’s what investors need to…

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

How to Build a “Canadian Barbell” Portfolio With TSX Stocks

| Victoria Hetherington

Stocks like Air Canada (TSX:AC) are ripe for contrarian upside over the short term. Here’s how to balance the risk…

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Tech Stocks

Is White-Hot E-Commerce Stock Lightspeed POS (TSX:LSPD) Still a Buy After Soaring 177%?

| Joey Frenette

Lightspeed POS (TSX:LSPD) is a white-hot momentum stock that doesn't look like it can be stopped. Should Canadian investors still…

Read more »

Tech Stocks

Forget Shopify (TSX:SHOP): Docebo (TSX:DCBO) Is a Tech Stock With Room to Run

| Joey Frenette

Docebo Inc. (TSX:DCBO) is a rapidly rising, AI-leveraging tech stock that Canadian TFSA investors should add to their radars right…

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

Better Canadian Bank to Buy After Q2: TD Bank (TSX:TD) or Scotiabank (TSX:BNS)?

| Joey Frenette

TD Bank (TSX:TD)(NYSE:TD) just got clobbered post-earnings, making the Canadian bank a compelling bargain for long-term investors.

Read more »

Energy Stocks

3 Personal Finance Pillars to Protect Your Personal Balance Sheet

| Chris MacDonald

When times get tough, sometimes it is best to get back to the basics. Similar to companies, including Baytex Energy…

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Dividend Stocks

CRA: Are Dividends Tax-Free in TFSAs?

| Kay Ng

There's no free lunch, but your Tax-Free Savings Account can earn tax-free returns. Well, mostly. Here are some exceptions.

Read more »

Stocks for Beginners

TFSA: Here’s How I’d Invest $6,000 if the Market Crashes Again

| Joey Frenette

Air Canada (TSX:AC) is a spec bet that TFSA investors may want to consider if they're looking to strike a…

Read more »

Stocks for Beginners

3 Top TSX Stocks That Can Make You Rich!

| Robin Brown

The 2020 TSX market crash is a buying opportunity of a lifetime for investors. Here are three top TSX stocks…

Read more »

Tech Stocks

This Canadian Tech Stock Could Make You a Fortune in 10 Years

| Robin Brown

Canadian tech stocks have demonstrated strong 2020 performance. Here is one TSX tech stock that could make you a fortune…

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

Royal Bank of Canada (TSX:RY) Just Soared 12% — Time to Back up the Truck?

| Joey Frenette

Royal Bank of Canada (TSX:RY)(NYSE:RY) just rallied following a better-than-feared second-quarter earnings report. Should you buy RBC stock after the…

Read more »

Stocks for Beginners

Overvalued: 2 TSX Stocks I’d Sell Now Before a Pullback

| Joey Frenette

I'd look to sell Shopify Inc. (TSX:SHOP)(NYSE:SHOP) and another overvalued TSX stock right now before they give up ground.

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

Buy This 1 Canadian Utilities Stock for Safe Dividends

| Victoria Hetherington

Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp (TSX:AQN)(NYSE:AQN) suits a lot of different investment styles. Here’s why it’s a buy for any…

Read more »

Cannabis Stocks

Is Aphria (TSX:APHA) the Best Canadian Cannabis Stock?

| Victoria Hetherington

Investors seeking long-term upside in the Canadian legal cannabis space have a strong play with Aphria (TSX:APHA)(NYSE:APHA).

Read more »

Coronavirus

Buy Canadian Tire (TSX:CTC.A) Before it Corrects Upwards

| Joey Frenette

Canadian Tire Corp. (TSX:CTC.A) has been roaring lately, and it could be headed a lot higher as the economy returns…

Read more »