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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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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…

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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

Coronavirus

Forget the Market Rally and Buy Healthcare Stocks

| Victoria Hetherington

Northwest Healthcare Properties REIT (TSX:NWH.UN) could cut a middle path through the oscillating stock markets. Here’s how to get defensive.

Read more »

Stocks for Beginners

TFSA Wealth: 2 Top Stocks I’d Buy Right Now

| Joey Frenette

Consider Aurora Cannabis Inc. (TSX:ACB)(NYSE:ACB) and another stock if you're a young investor seeking to grow your TFSA wealth at…

Read more »

Stocks for Beginners

Buy Dollarama (TSX:DOL) Stock Now Before it Takes Off

| Joey Frenette

Dollarama Inc. (TSX:DOL) is a defensive growth stock that deserves a much higher multiple given where we're at in the…

Read more »

Energy Stocks

TFSA Investors: Want to Beat the Market? Buy 1 of the Cheapest Stocks on the TSX Index Now

| Joey Frenette

Hungry contrarian TFSA investors should consider shares of a battered bargain like Ensign Energy Services (TSX:ESI) if they're looking to…

Read more »

Cannabis Stocks

Here’s Why Gold and Cannabis Stocks Are a Powerful Combo

| Victoria Hetherington

Stocks like Aphria Inc. (TSX:APHA)(NYSE:APHA) have outperformed their industries. Find out why gold and cannabis makes a strong combined play.

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Dividend Stocks

2 Top TSX Stocks to Buy in 2020

| Victoria Hetherington

The market is rallying, but can it last? Let’s explore two ways to play the current market, including top consumer…

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Dividend Stocks

#1 Income Stock for Unstable Markets

| Debra Ray

Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp (TSX:AQN)(NYSE:AQN) may not be a top growth or value stock to buy, but it is a…

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Dividend Stocks

If You Have $6,000, Buy These 3 TSX Stocks Today!

| Robin Brown

The recent TSX volatility has created some long-term opportunities to buy stocks. Got $6,000 to invest? Here are three solid…

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Dividend Stocks

Coronavirus Canada: Your TFSA Comes in Handy Now

| Kay Ng

Your TFSA can help you now if you're tight for cash. It can also help you to save substantial money…

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Dividend Stocks

CRA Can’t Tax This Income: 2 TFSA Top Picks for Tax-Free Dividends

| Joey Frenette

Suncor Energy Inc. (TSX:SU)(NYSE:SU) and another cheap dividend stock that investors should strongly consider adding to their TFSAs for tax-free…

Read more »

close-up photo of investor Warren Buffett
Stocks for Beginners

Does Warren Buffett Trust This Market?

| Joey Frenette

Warren Buffett sounded pretty bearish in his recent annual shareholder's meeting, but should that concern investors as stocks move on…

Read more »

Stocks for Beginners

3 Top Stocks I’d Buy Over Air Canada (TSX:AC)

| Robin Brown

Air Canada (TSX:AC) stock is a speculative investment at best. Take advantage of the market crash and own these three…

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Dividend Stocks

Here’s a Better $2,000/Month Than CRA’s CERB

| Kay Ng

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

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Cannabis Stocks

Which TSX Cannabis Stocks Should You Buy Today?

| Victoria Hetherington

Canadians eyeing upside in the legal cannabis space have some strong options. Here’s why names like Canopy Growth Corp (TSX:WEED)(NYSE:CGC)…

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

Coronavirus Canada: These TSX Stocks Are Set to Spike

| Kay Ng

These stocks can jump from a change in the Canadian coronavirus situation. Can you guess which stock is a safer…

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Stocks for Beginners

Have CERB Cash Left Over? Fund Your TFSA Income Stream

| Joey Frenette

Enbridge Inc. (TSX:ENB)(NYSE:ENB) is a top stock you may want to buy for your TFSA if you've got leftover CERB…

Read more »

Energy Stocks

Which Energy Stocks Should TSX Investors Buy Today?

| Victoria Hetherington

The ship might have sailed for stocks like Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. (TSX:CNQ)(NYSE:CNQ). Here’s another way to play the energy…

Read more »

Stocks for Beginners

Aurora Cannabis (TSX:ACB) Just Doubled in 2 Days: Is This Just the Start?

| Joey Frenette

Aurora Cannabis (TSX:ACB)(NYSE:ACB) stock is starting to heat up again, but should investors jump after one of the biggest moves…

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

#1 Billionaire Energy Stock to Buy

| Debra Ray

Canadian investors should buy Northland Power (TSX:NPI) clean energy stock for its low beta and strong forward dividend yield during…

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Tech Stocks

Is This Blue-Chip Tech Stock a Buy Before Earnings?

| Victoria Hetherington

Descartes Systems Group Inc. (TSX:DSG)(NASDAQ:DSGX) is about to release its latest quarterly report. But should investors wait to buy this…

Read more »

Energy Stocks

Should Canadians Buy Energy Stocks in 2020?

| Victoria Hetherington

First-time investors have long favoured names like Fortis Inc. (TSX:FTS)(NYSE:FTS). But are top stocks like these still a buy mid-pandemic?

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

TFSA Income Investors: Big Dividend Stocks to Buy in 2020

| Kay Ng

Take market dip opportunities to lock in high yields in your TFSA. Then sit back and earn a massive passive-income…

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Dividend Stocks

Forget BCE (TSX:BCE): Here Are 3 Dividend Stocks If You’re Hungry for a Bigger Bargain

| Joey Frenette

Shaw Communications Inc. (TSX:SJR.B)(NYSE:SJR) and another dividend deal that income investor should consider buying today.

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Stocks for Beginners

Young TFSA Investors: A TSX Stock for Big Upside

| Joey Frenette

Spin Master Corp. (TSX:TOY) offers a terrific risk/reward trade-off that's too good to pass up for risk-taking young TFSA investors.

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Stocks for Beginners

60-Cent Loonie Looming? Hedge Your Portfolio With CN Rail (TSX:CNR) Stock

| Joey Frenette

CN Rail (TSX:CNR)(NYSE:CNI) is a terrific way to hedge yourself if you're worried about the Canadian dollar falling into 60-cent…

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Metals and Mining Stocks

4 Great TSX Gold Stocks to Buy in May

| Victoria Hetherington

Barrick Gold (TSX:ABX)(NYSE:GOLD) is one of the best gold stocks on the TSX. Let’s explore some other strong plays in…

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Tech Stocks

Here’s Why Canadian Tech Stocks Are Breaking Out in 2020

| Victoria Hetherington

Big names such as Shopify (TSX:SHOP)(NYSE:SHOP) are leading the market rally. But here’s why they’re a play for the longer-term.

Read more »

Tech Stocks

The Best Defensive Stock to Buy if You Have $2,000

| Robin Brown

Technology stocks are the new defensive stocks to own. Got $2,000 to invest? Consider this TSX-outperforming stock for your portfolio…

Read more »

Coronavirus

Air Canada (TSX:AC) Stock Is Just Part of a Total Market Sea-Change

| Victoria Hetherington

Air Canada (TSX:AC) and one other Canadian stock offer ways to invest in two strong themes already emerging in the…

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

Never Mind the CRA: 2 Strong TSX Stocks for a TFSA

| Victoria Hetherington

Here's how names like Scotiabank (TSX:BNS)(NYSE:BNS) can help TFSA investors save tax-free for the long term.

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

TFSA Investors: An 8% TSX Dividend Stock That Has 100% Upside

| Kay Ng

This stock's high yield is much safer now. What's more to like is that it can double your money from…

Read more »

close-up photo of investor Warren Buffett
Dividend Stocks

Warren Buffett: Why You Need to Heed His Words of Wisdom

| Joey Frenette

Warren Buffett had a lot to share with investors in his recent annual meeting, most notably his cautious stance on…

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Dividend Stocks

5 Top Stocks for New TSX Investors

| Victoria Hetherington

Here’s why stocks like Shopify (TSX:SHOP)(NYSE:SHOP) are strong long-term buys for new investors looking for long-term wealth creation.

Read more »

Coronavirus

Could Air Canada (TSX:AC) Go Belly Up in 2020?

| Joey Frenette

In a shocking comment, David Calhoun is calling the bankruptcy of one airline this year. Could Air Canada (TSX:AC) be…

Read more »

Energy Stocks

Green Energy Stocks Could Make You Rich

| Victoria Hetherington

Northland Power Inc. (TSX:NPI) ticks the box for green economy upside. Here’s why it’s a play for the long-term.

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

Warning: 2 Dividends That Could Be Next on the Chopping Block!

| Joey Frenette

Canadian Natural Resources Inc. (TSX:CNQ)(NYSE:CNQ) and another blue-chip TSX dividend stock that could be next in line to cut their dividends.

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

Earn $1,000/Year From These 3 Cheap TSX Dividend Stocks!

| Robin Brown

TSX dividend stocks are selling at bargain prices today. Invest $15,000 into these three stocks and earn over $1,000 in…

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Dividend Stocks

If You’ve Got $3,000 to Invest, Buy These Dividend Stocks Now

| Kay Ng

Got some extra cash lying around? Get yields of up to 7% in these solid dividend stocks, while you wait…

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Dividend Stocks

Here’s the Only Reason You Need to Buy TD Bank (TSX:TD) Stock

| Victoria Hetherington

Toronto-Dominion Bank (TSX:TD)(NYSE:TD) has all the hallmarks of a great bank stock. However, there’s one strong reason to buy that…

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Dividend Stocks

Retirees: Getting OAS? You May Get an Extra $500!

| Kay Ng

$500 may be coming your way! The coming market dips are a good opportunity to increase your passive income via…

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