Motley Fool Premium
  1. Category
    2. /
  2. Investing
    3. /
  3. Stocks for Beginners
    4. /

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

data center server racks glow with light
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.

Read more »

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…

Read more »

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.

Read more »

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…

Read more »

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.

Read more »

runner ties shoe while stopped on grass outside
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…

Read more »

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%…

Read more »

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

Got $6,000 in Your TFSA? These 2 Battered Stocks Could Have Serious Upside

| Joey Frenette

Air Canada (TSX:AC) and another high-upside stock that could make TFSA investors big money as the economy looks to return…

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

CRA WARNING: 3 Things You Need to Know About the $2,000/Month CERB!

| Robin Brown

The $2,000/month CERB payment, distributed by the CRA, has a number of important stipulations for Canadians. Here are three things…

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

How to Build a High-Dividend Portfolio

| Kay Ng

The 2020 market crash provides an incredible opportunity to boost your income with safe, high-yield dividend stocks. Here's how to…

Read more »

Stocks for Beginners

Air Canada (TSX:AC) Stock: Next Stop $50 or $0?

| Joey Frenette

Air Canada (TSX:AC) stock could be a double or triple for risk-on investors who believe a coronavirus vaccine will arrive…

Read more »

Tech Stocks

Meet the Driving Force Behind TSX Index Growth Stocks

| Victoria Hetherington

Descartes Systems Group Inc. (TSX:DSG)(NASDAQ:DSGX) is one of the top tech stocks on the TSX. Is it a buy at…

Read more »

Stocks for Beginners

This Is 1 of the Best Recession-Proof Stocks in Canada

| Haris Anwar

Some of the best stocks to weather the economic downturn have solid cash flows, a strong balance sheet, and a…

Read more »

Energy Stocks

Why Buying Energy Stocks in 2020 Is a Necessary Risk

| Victoria Hetherington

Stocks like Fortis (TSX:FTS)(NYSE:FTS) can help investors keep an income portfolio exposed to energy while adding long-term wealth creation.

Read more »

Stocks for Beginners

Is This Stock a Contrarian Dream?

| Kris Knutson

The terrible and unusual situation of the global pandemic lockdown killed many companies. First among those have been retail and…

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

CRA’s CERB Will Expire: Here’s How to Create a $1,000/Month TFSA Income Stream to Last a Lifetime

| Joey Frenette

BMO High Dividend Covered Call Equity ETF (TSX:ZWC) is a specialty-income ETFs that can help construct a TFSA income stream…

Read more »

Stocks for Beginners

Investors: 2 Cheap Stocks to Buy and Hold for Decades

| Joey Frenette

Waste Connections Inc. (TSX:WCN)(NYSE:WCN) and another 'moaty' stock that Canadian investors should buy right now.

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

Is There Any Such Thing as a Cheap, Safe Dividend Stock?

| Victoria Hetherington

Investors are looking for a mix of defensive qualities in their dividend stocks. But they’re also looking for value. Here’s…

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

3 Green Energy Stocks to Buy Now With $3,000

| Victoria Hetherington

Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp. (TSX:AQN)(NYSE:AQN) and two other stocks are a buy for long-term green energy upside.

Read more »

Stocks for Beginners

This Iconic Canadian Stock Just Hit a Massive Buy Signal

| Joey Frenette

Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. (TSX:ATD.B) is a defensive growth staple that could be one of the timeliest TSX Index investments today.

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

$2,000 Invested in These 3 TSX Stocks Could Make You a Fortune in 10 Years

| Kay Ng

The market crashed and many stocks are still cheap. Now you can make a fortune from these TSX stocks over…

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

COVID-19: These Hard-Hit TSX Stocks Could Make You a Fortune in 10 Years

| Joey Frenette

TFSA investors should take a look at H&R REIT (TSX:HR.UN) and another contrarian stock in a hard-hit industry while pessimism…

Read more »

Metals and Mining Stocks

Young Investors Will Drive Upside in These TSX Stocks

| Victoria Hetherington

Investors seeking the next generation of ethical upside have some intriguing stocks to choose from, such as Magna International Inc.…

Read more »

Tech Stocks

These TSX Stocks Are Hitting 52-Week Highs!

| Victoria Hetherington

Names like Shopify (TSX:SHOP)(NYSE:SHOP) are dominating lists of outperforming stocks on the TSX. Here’s what investors need to know.

Read more »

Stocks for Beginners

Air Canada (TSX:AC): Are the Sky-High Rewards Worth the Risk?

| Joey Frenette

Air Canada (TSX:AC) could be a potential multi-bagger in a bull-case scenario, but are the downside risks too high for…

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

CRA Tax Tip: How to Make a TFSA Work for You

| Kay Ng

If you want to pay lower taxes to the CRA in the future, make sure you are taking full advantage…

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

Canadian Retirees: 3 High-Yield Income Stocks to Buy on Sale!

| Joey Frenette

Bank of Montreal (TSX:BMO)(NYSE:BMO) and two high-yield dividend stocks for Canadian retirees to buy while they're on sale today.

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

TFSA: Top 2 TSX Index Value Stocks for June

| Joey Frenette

Restaurant Brands International Inc. (TSX:QSR)(NYSE:QSR) and another dirt-cheap TSX Index value stock that TFSA investors should buy now.

Read more »

Stocks for Beginners

Should You Follow Warren Buffett’s Advice to Buy the Broad Stock Market?

| Stephanie Bedard-Chateauneuf, MBA

Investors buying the whole stock market instead of picking stocks forego their chances of beating the market.

Read more »

Tech Stocks

3 TSX Stock Investment Themes With Huge Upside Potential

| Victoria Hetherington

Names like Shopify (TSX:SHOP)(NYSE:SHOP) offer growth opportunities. Here's why investors seeking growth have some strong plays in three disruptive sectors.

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

CRA: High Debt Levels Are Weighing on Economies

| Kay Ng

How are the high debt levels around the world going to get paid? What can you do to protect you…

Read more »

close-up photo of investor Warren Buffett
Dividend Stocks

Warren Buffett “Cigar-Butt” Dividend Stock Investing

| Kay Ng

Warren Buffett made a fortune using this investing strategy. Here are some relevant dividend stock examples for your consideration today!

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

Which Stocks Should You Buy for a TFSA Right Now?

| Victoria Hetherington

Banks like Scotiabank (TSX:BNS)(NYSE:BNS) are strong additions to a long-term TFSA. But is there a sector to avoid right now?

Read more »

Coronavirus

Young Investors: Canadian Tire (TSX:CTC.A) Looks Like a Top Retail Stock

| Joey Frenette

Canadian Tire Corp. (TSX:CTC.A) looks like a compelling bargain as the Canadian economy looks to reopen for the summer months.

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

Retiring? Buy These 2 Dividend Stocks Now!

| Victoria Hetherington

Here’s why stocks like Nutrien (TSX:NTR)(NYSE:NTR) and one other top TSX name are solid buys for retirement.

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

Investors: Cheer This Income Stock

| Debra Ray

TransAlta Renewables Inc (TSX:RNW) is a relatively safe investment with a 6.8% dividend yield at the current market price of…

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

Stock Market Crash 2.0: How to Prepare Your Stock Portfolio

| Kay Ng

Weakened global economies may get worse before they improve. Here are several things you can do to improve your stock…

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

WARNING: The CRA Can Take Back Your $2,000/Month CERB Payments!

| Kay Ng

You've been warned! Don't be complacent with the $2,000/Month CERB payments. Do this to secure income that's yours to keep!

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

Market Crash Part 2 Is Coming — Here’s How I’d Prepare

| Joey Frenette

Hydro One Ltd. (TSX:H) is a risk-parity investment that can hold its own in a market crash while allowing investors…

Read more »

Stocks for Beginners

Canada’s Warren Buffett: Why NOW Is the Perfect Time to Invest in Him

| Joey Frenette

Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd. (TSX:FFH) allows Canadian investors to invest alongside Canada's Warren Buffett at a discount.

Read more »

Tech Stocks

Why Lightspeed POS (TSX:LPSD) Just Soared 38% in a Day

| Joey Frenette

Lightspeed POS Inc. (TSX:LSPD) is white hot after its incredible earnings, but is it too late to back up the…

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

2 Strong TSX Stocks for Super Long-Term Investing

| Victoria Hetherington

Toronto-Dominion Bank (TSX:TD)(NYSE:TD) and one other stock are likely to provide steady wealth creation for years to come.

Read more »

Stocks for Beginners

Warren Buffett: Top Lessons on Building Wealth for TSX Investors

| Robin Brown

Warren Buffett has remained cautious through the 2020 market crash. Here are three top lessons you can learn from him…

Read more »

Stocks for Beginners

Is it the Perfect Time to Buy Pot Stocks?

| Debra Ray

Are cannabis analysts correcting in saying that Village Farms International Inc (TSX:VFF)(NASDAQ:VFF) stock may not be getting the attention its…

Read more »

Stocks for Beginners

Air Canada (TSX:AC): Should You Ignore Warren Buffett and Buy Now?

| Joey Frenette

Air Canada (TSX:AC) looks like a bargain, but with Warren Buffett's loss of confidence on the airlines, does it still…

Read more »

Coronavirus

Why Air Canada (TSX:AC) Stock Is More Solid Than You Think

| Victoria Hetherington

Air Canada (TSX:AC) has generated more buzz than just about any other stock on the TSX during the pandemic. But…

Read more »

Stocks for Beginners

A TSX Stock That Could Correct to the Upside in a Big-Time Way!

| Joey Frenette

Badger Daylighting Ltd. (TSX:BAD) is a top cyclical infrastructure play to maximize your upside come the next phase of the…

Read more »