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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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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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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?”

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Recent Stocks for Beginners News

Dividend Stocks

RRSP Investors: Time to Buy Fortis Inc. (TSX:FTS) or Toronto-Dominion Bank (TSX:TD) Stock?

| Andrew Walker

Fortis (TSX:FTS) (NYSE:FTS) and Toronto Dominion Bank (TSX:TD) (NYSE:TD) are two of Canada's top dividend-growth stocks. Is one a better…

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Dividend Stocks

3 Top TSX Index Stocks to Buy Now for Defensive Dividends

| Victoria Hetherington

Fortis Inc. (TSX:FTS)(NYSE:FTS) and two other stocks offer investors a spread of diversified, defensive dividends.

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Dividend Stocks

Don’t Make This Huge Investing Mistake

| Kris Knutson

Don't make the mistake of missing out on huge growth from companies like Shopify Inc. (TSX:SHOP)(NYSE:SHOP) simply because they don't…

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caution
Dividend Stocks

New Investors Beware: Is There Danger Lurking in Canadian Energy Stocks?

| Victoria Hetherington

Do Canadian energy stocks like Parex Resources Inc. (TSX:PXT) really offer investors the strongest defensive dividends?

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Dividend Stocks

3 Rising TSX Index Stocks to Add to Your TFSA Today

| Andrew Walker

Telus Corporation (TSX:T)(NYSE:TU) and another two top Canadian stocks are off their lows but still appear attractive.

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Dividend Stocks

TFSA Income Investors: 3 Top Canadian Stocks Yielding 5-8%

| Andrew Walker

Inter Pipeline Ltd (TSX:IPL) and another two top Canadian dividend stocks are trading at attractive levels right now and offer…

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Dividend Stocks

Retirement Investors: Only 1 of These Dividend Stocks Is a Strong Buy

| Victoria Hetherington

Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd (TSX:FFH) has some low multiples and a modest dividend yield. Is it a buy for your…

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Tech Stocks

3 High-Growth Canadian Stocks That Aren’t Cannabis Stocks

| Victoria Hetherington

Ballard Power Systems Inc. (TSX:BLDP)(NASDAQ:BLDP) and two other stocks offer high growth for marijuana bears.

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Stocks for Beginners

Danger: 2 Losing Stocks I’d Sell Right Now

| Joey Frenette

I wouldn't dare touch Cineplex Inc. (TSX:CGX) and one other stock, even with a barge pole.

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Netflix Stock
Dividend Stocks

Only 1 of These Canadian Stocks Can Truly Compete With the Mighty Netflix (NASDAQ:NFLX)

| Victoria Hetherington

Netflix Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX) will survive a 2019 recession, but one of two competing Canadian stocks might not.

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The Motley Fool
Dividend Stocks

Why These Dividend Stocks Are Among the Best to Buy in 2019

| Haris Anwar

Here is why Toronto-Dominion Bank (TSX:TD)(NYSE:TD) is one of the best dividend stocks to buy in 2019.

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Dividend Stocks

A Perfect Dividend Stock for Your TFSA That’s Selling Absurdly Cheap Now

| Haris Anwar

Brookfield Infrastructure Partners L.P. (TSX:BIP.UN)(NYSE:BIP) offers a unique opportunity to TFSA investors to diversify their holdings and buy a cheap…

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Dividend Stocks

3 Strong Companies With U.S. Cash Dividends to Buy Today

| Kris Knutson

Earn U.S. dollars or get a boost on your dividend through some great Canadian dividend stocks like Restaurant Brands International…

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Dividend Stocks

The Top Undervalued TSX Stocks in 4 Key Canadian Industries

| Victoria Hetherington

Laurentian Bank of Canada (TSX:LB) may be the best undervalued banking stock on the TSX, but what about three other…

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Dividend Stocks

A “War Chest of Value” to Be Had With This Super-Cheap Growth Stock

| Joey Frenette

Restaurant Brands International Inc. (TSX:QSR)(NYSE:QSR) is an overlooked growth king that could soar quickly.

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Dividend Stocks

Banking on Safety: Frightened Investors Should Hide in Stocks Like These!

| Victoria Hetherington

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (TSX:CM)(NYSE:CM) and two other big banks represent the safest stocks on the TSX index.

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

1 Sector That Belongs in Your TFSA

| Kris Knutson

Some assets are better suited to your TFSA than others. Real Estate Investment Trusts like Granite REIT (TSX:GRT.UN) are well-suited…

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Dividend Stocks

3 RRSP Picks to Grow Your Retirement Portfolio in 2019

| Andrew Walker

BCE Inc. (TSX:BCE)(NYSE:BCE) and another two top Canadian stocks might be interesting RRSP picks right now. Here's why.

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Dividend Stocks

This Defensive Stock Should Be on Top of Your TFSA Buying List

| Haris Anwar

Canadian National Railway (TSX:CNR)(NYSE:CNI) is among the top defensive stocks that one should consider adding to the TFSA.

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

2 Top Stocks to Buy in 2019 With Your Additional $6,000 TFSA Room

| Andrew Walker

Canadian Natural Resources Ltd (TSX:CNQ)(NYSE:CNQ) and another top TSX Index stock deserve to be on your TFSA radar today. Here's…

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The Motley Fool
Dividend Stocks

Is Royal Bank of Canada (TSX:RY) or Fortis Inc. (TSX:FTS) Stock a Better TFSA Pick Today?

| Andrew Walker

Royal Bank of Canada (TSX:RY)(NYSE:RY) and Fortis Inc. (TSX:FTS)(NYSE:FTS) are two Canada's top dividend stocks. Is one more attractive right…

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Dividend Stocks

RRSP Investors: 2 Top TSX Index Stocks to Own for 2 Decades

| Andrew Walker

TC Energy (TSX:TRP) (NYSE:TRP) and one other industry leader deserve to be on your RRSP radar right now. Here's why.

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Stocks for Beginners

Mining Investors: Jump on These 3 High-Growth Canadian Gold Stocks

| Victoria Hetherington

The gold rally continues, with Barrick Gold Corp (TSX:ABX)(NYSE:GOLD) and two other precious metal miners offering considerable upside.

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The Motley Fool
Stocks for Beginners

The #1 Way to Wreck Your Investments

| Kris Knutson

Buying a home with debt at high real estate prices is, at best, a terrible investment. Buy shares of Fortis…

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Dividend Stocks

Bump Stocks Like These to the Top of Your Wish List Right Now

| Victoria Hetherington

Suncor Energy Inc. (TSX:SU)(NYSE:SU) and miner Lundin Mining Corp. (TSX:LUN) are among the most defensive stocks on the TSX index.

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Dividend Stocks

Should Enbridge Inc. (TSX:ENB) or Toronto-Dominion Bank (TSX:TD) Stock Be on Your TFSA Buy List?

| Andrew Walker

Toronto Dominion Bank (TSX:TD)(NYSE:TD) and Enbridge Inc. (TSX:ENB)(NYSE:ENB) took big hits in 2018. Is one a buy today for your…

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Dividend Stocks

Power Your Portfolio With These 2 “Forever” Stocks

| Victoria Hetherington

Hitting a 52-week low, Power Corporation of Canada (TSX:POW) is a nicely valued dividend stock, but so is one big…

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Dividend Stocks

Is This Famous Canadian Telecom Stock Really a Strong Buy Right Now?

| Victoria Hetherington

Rogers Communications Inc. (TSX:RCI.B)(NYSE:RCI) still has some upside, but is a major rival a stronger play?

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Tech Stocks

Should Value Investors Avoid This Gravity-Defying Tech Stock?

| Victoria Hetherington

Does the upside offered by Shopify Inc. (TSX:SHOP)(NYSE:SHOP) really beat its biggest American competitor?

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Dividend Stocks

1 Strategy to Prepare for the Next Recession

| Kris Knutson

A potential recession might be around the corner, so investors should strategize how to stabilize their portfolios by adding stocks…

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Dividend Stocks

RRSP Investors: Should You Buy Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (TSX:CM) Right Now?

| Andrew Walker

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (TSX:CM)(NYSE:CM) has bounced off the 2018 low. Is this the right time to buy?

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

TFSA Retirement Investors: 3 Canadian Stocks to Own for Decades

| Andrew Walker

Here's why Telus Corporation (TSX:T)(NYSE:TU) and another two top Canadian companies are worth considering today for your TFSA.

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The Motley Fool
Dividend Stocks

Is This the Best Cheap Energy Stock on the TSX Right Now?

| Victoria Hetherington

Keyera Corp. (TSX:KEY) is a strong buy at the moment, but can a major competitor beat it on value and…

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Stocks for Beginners

Is Aphria (TSX:APHA) Stock the Most-Watched Cannabis Investment Right Now?

| Victoria Hetherington

All eyes are on Aphria Inc. (TSX:APHA)(NYSE:APHA) at the moment, and its stats are looking good.

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

This Is My Top Dividend Stock to Buy in 2019

| Haris Anwar

Enbridge Inc. (TSX:ENB)(NYSE:ENB) is my top dividend stock to buy in 2019 as investors get defensive amid spiking volatility.

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

2 Glittering Gold Stocks Paying Dividends to TSX Investors

| Victoria Hetherington

Lundin Mining Corp. (TSX:LUN) is an attractively valued gold stock that pays a dividend, but is it a buy right…

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

Which Blue-Chip Canadian Energy Stock Belongs in Your TFSA?

| Victoria Hetherington

High-quality energy stocks like Parkland Fuel Corp. (TSX:PKI) abound on the TSX, but which should you buy today?

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Dividend Stocks

Millennials: Here’s How You Can Amass a $2 Million TFSA

| Nelson Smith

Loading up on great stocks like Bank of Nova Scotia (TSX:BNS)(NYSE:BNS) and Algonquin Power and Utilities Corp (TSX:AQN)(NYSE:AQN) is the…

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Stocks for Beginners

Is Canadian National Railway Company (TSX:CNR) or Toronto-Dominion Bank (TSX:TD) Stock Attractive Today?

| Andrew Walker

Canadian National Railway Company (TSX:CNR) (NYSE:CNI) and Toronto-Dominion Bank (TSX:TD) (NYSE:TD) are two of Canada's best companies. Is one a…

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

3 Dividend Stocks for Your RRSP in 2019

| Andrew Walker

Manulife Financial Corporation (TSX:MFC)(NYSE:MFC) and another two top Canadian companies deserve to be on your radar today.

Read more »