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

The Motley Fool
Stocks for Beginners

3 Hidden Gems Bay Street’s Brightest Are Buying

| James Watkins-Strand

Companies like NFI Group Inc. (TSX:NFI) are favourites among fund managers and analysts alike.

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

4 Top Stocks Trading Around $10

| Karen Thomas, MSc, CFA

These affordable stocks, such as Freehold Royalties Ltd. (TSX:FRU), have strong histories, strong management teams, and bright futures.

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

Young Investors: 4 Dividend Stocks to Power Your TFSA

| Ambrose O'Callaghan

Young investors should seek out stocks like Genworth MI Canada (TSX:MIC) to deliver income in their TFSA for the long…

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

3 High-Yield Stocks to Consider for 2019

| Andrew Walker

Inter Pipeline Ltd. (TSX:IPL) and another two Canadian dividend stocks could generate nice returns heading into 2019.

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

3 Attractive TSX Index Dividend Stocks for Your TFSA Right Now

| Andrew Walker

Canadian Natural Resources Ltd (TSX:CNQ)(NYSE:CNQ) and another two Canadian heavyweights deserve to be on your radar. Here's why.

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

2 Defensive Dividend Stocks to Buy in This Deepening Downturn

| Haris Anwar

Here is why Bank of Nova Scotia (TSX:BNS)(NYSE:BNS) is one of two dividend stocks to buy if the current market…

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

TFSA Investors: 2 Top Canadian Stocks to Own for 25 Years

| Andrew Walker

Here's why Nutrien (TSX:NTR) (NYSE:NTR) and another top Canadian stock should be attractive buy-and-hold picks today.

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

Is it Time to Sell This Overvalued Dividend Stock?

| Victoria Hetherington

Park Lawn Corporation (TSX:PLC) goes through a stock-screening tool and comes out as a sell with the current available data.

Read more »

The Motley Fool
Dividend Stocks

3 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Sell Your TD (TSX:TD) Stock in the Next 5 Years

| Victoria Hetherington

Toronto-Dominion Bank (TSX:TD)(NYSE:TD) is a bold pick for dark times. Read on to see why this stock can face down…

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

3 Rebounding TSX Index Dividend Stars for Your TFSA Income Portfolio

| Andrew Walker

Here's why Enbridge Inc. (TSX:ENB)(NYSE:ENB) and two other top Canadian dividend stocks deserve a closer look today.

Read more »

Stocks for Beginners

Aphria’s (TSX:APH) Share Price Is Still Too High for a Buy

| Victoria Hetherington

Aphria Inc. (TSX:APHA)(NYSE:APHA) is at the front line of Canadian weed stocks, but it's still not a buy – and…

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

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

| Andrew Walker

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (TSX:CM) (NYSE:CM) is starting to look oversold. Should you buy today?

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

Is CIBC (TSX:CM) a Buy and Hold for Life Stock?

| Victoria Hetherington

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (TSX:CM)(NYSE:CM) stock is tailor-made for the risk-averse passive income investor, and is good value today.

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

1 Classic Canadian Financial Stock to Buy Now for Steady Dividends

| Victoria Hetherington

Manulife Financial (TSX:MFC)(NYSE:MFC) has a good P/B ratio and pays a steady dividend, but is it a buy today?

Read more »

Stocks for Beginners

Millennials: 2 Small-Cap Stocks to Help You Retire Rich

| Joey Frenette

Cargojet (TSX:CJT) and one other explosive growth stock that could help millennials retire wealthy.

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

New RRSP Investors: 3 Top TSX Index Dividend Stocks to Start Your Retirement Fund

| Andrew Walker

Bank of Montreal (TSX:BMO)(NYSE:BMO) and two other top TSX Index stocks deserve to be on your RRSP radar today. Here's…

Read more »

The Motley Fool
Dividend Stocks

Don’t Worry: You Haven’t Missed Your Chance to Buy These 3 Stocks

| Kris Knutson

When stocks start moving up, investors regret not purchasing at lower prices. Don't worry; there's time to buy stocks like…

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

3 High-Yield Stocks to Stick in Your TFSA Today

| Andrew Walker

Inter Pipeline Ltd. (TSX:IPL) and another two out-of-favour stocks offer attractive yield with growth on the horizon.

Read more »

time is money compounding
Dividend Stocks

This Top Dividend Stock Is Absurdly Cheap: Time to Buy?

| Haris Anwar

BCE Inc. (TSX:BCE)(NYSE:BCE), a top dividend stock, is selling cheap as bond yields climb. The time is right for long-term…

Read more »

Energy Stocks

Should Suncor Energy Inc. (TSX:SU) or Fortis Inc (TSX:FTS) Stock Be in Your RRSP?

| Andrew Walker

Fortis Inc. (TSX:FTS)(NYSE:FTS) and Suncor Energy Inc. (TSX:SU)(NYSE:SU) are popular Canadian stocks. Is one a better RRSP bet today?

Read more »

Stocks for Beginners

A Rising TSX Index Stock for Your TFSA in 2019

| Andrew Walker

Nutrien Ltd. (TSX:NTR)(NYSE:NTR) is soaring after the Q3 earnings report. Are more gains on the way?

Read more »

The Motley Fool
Dividend Stocks

Why This Boring Dividend Stock Could Be a Great Candidate for TFSAs

| Haris Anwar

Manulife Financial Corporation (TSX:MFC)(NYSE:MFC) is a dividend stock you could safely stash in your TFSA to earn growing income.

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

RRSP Investors: Should You Buy Toronto-Dominion Bank (TSX:TD) Stock Right Now?

| Andrew Walker

Toronto-Dominion Bank (TSX:TD) (NYSE:TD) is down from the 2018 high. Is this a good time to buy?

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

2 TSX Index Stock That Look Cheap and Could Surge in 2019

| Andrew Walker

Royal Bank of Canada (TSX:RY)(NYSE:RY) and another top TSX Index stock look attractive today.

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

Is Nutrien (TSX:NTR) Stock a Buy for the General Canadian Investor?

| Victoria Hetherington

Nutrien Ltd. (TSX:NTR)(NYSE:NTR) is a hold for the general shareholder, but could it be suitable for a more dynamic investment…

Read more »

Stocks for Beginners

3 Stocks to Start Your RRSP Portfolio Today

| Andrew Walker

Here's why Canadian Pacific Railway Limited (TSX:CP)(NYSE:CP) and another two top Canadian stocks deserve to be on your RRSP radar…

Read more »

The Motley Fool
Dividend Stocks

Here’s Why BCE (TSX:BCE) Stock Is Still a Hold for TSX Index Investors

| Victoria Hetherington

BCE Inc. (TSX:BCE)(NYSE:BCE) looks like a solid dividend payer to buy and hold for the long term -- except it…

Read more »

Stocks for Beginners

Young Investors: 3 Stocks to Start a Balanced TFSA Portfolio for Retirement

| Andrew Walker

Nutrien Ltd. (TSX:NTR)(NYSE:NTR) and two other market leaders give TFSA investors great international exposure across different industries.

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

1 Alternative Energy Stock to Grow Old With in Your RRSP

| Brad Macintosh

If you agree that alternative energy is here to stay and a growing business then Northland Power Inc. (TSX:NPI) may…

Read more »

Stocks for Beginners

RRSP Investors: Is Canadian National Railway Company (TSX:CNR) Stock a Top Pick Right Now?

| Andrew Walker

Canadian National Railway Company (TSX:CNR) (NYSE:CNI) has generated solid returns for investors over the years. Will that trend continue?

Read more »

a pile of gold bars
Dividend Stocks

Is This Really the Best Gold Stock on the TSX Index?

| Victoria Hetherington

How is Barrick Gold Corp. (TSX:ABX)(NYSE:ABX) looking in terms of value, quality, and momentum, and is it a buy today?

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

Auto-Pilot Your TFSA to Tremendous Wealth With These 3 “Forever” Stocks

| Joey Frenette

Manulife Financial Corporation (TSX:MFC)(NYSE:MFC) and two other severely undervalued TFSA-worthy stocks have tremendous long-term growth potential.

Read more »

The Motley Fool
Dividend Stocks

Want to Retire Early? Then You’ve Gotta Read This

| Nelson Smith

A successful early retirement starts with great stocks like Toronto-Dominion Bank (TSX:TD)(NYSE:TD) and SmartCentres Real Estate Investment Trust (TSX:SRU.UN).

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

2 Great Green Energy Stocks for Dividend Investors

| Victoria Hetherington

Green energy stocks like Northland Power Inc. (TSX:NPI) are paying big dividends and have growth ahead of them too –…

Read more »

Tech Stocks

Tech Investors: This Is the Pullback You Have Been Waiting for

| Kris Knutson

If you've been waiting for expensive, high-growth tech stocks like Kinaxis Inc. (TSX:KXS) to pull back enough to buy, start…

Read more »

Stocks for Beginners

How You Can Counter Market Volatility With the Right Investment

| Demetris Afxentiou

Changing market conditions have some investors doubting the potential for REITs, but RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust (TSX:REI.UN) offers investors…

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

Keep Calm and Buy These Foolish Stocks to Get Rich Prudently

| Joey Frenette

Investors should be thinking about buying Canadian National Railway Company (TSX:CNR)(NYSE:CNI) and one other Dividend Aristocrat as the market crumbles.

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

RRSP Investors: 3 Unloved TSX Index Stocks That Could Soar In 2019

| Andrew Walker

Nutrien (TSX:NTR) (NYSE:NTR) and another two industry leaders look attractive heading into 2019.

Read more »

Stocks for Beginners

Beginner Investors, Don’t Panic: The Market May Be Just 1 More “Big Vomit” Away From a Rally Back to All-Time Highs

| Joey Frenette

Now is not the time to be fearful. Buy low-beta plays like BMO Low Volatility CAD Equity ETF (TSX:ZLB) and…

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

3 Things You Should Be Doing When the TSX Index Turns Red

| Jason Phillips

Markets are on pace for their third consecutive month of losses. Find out what you should be doing about stocks…

Read more »