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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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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

Stocks for Beginners

5 Ways to Declutter Your Portfolio for a Minimalist 2019

| James Watkins-Strand

Many investment products such as Vanguard Balanced Portfolio ETF (TSX:VBAL) offer ways to simplify complex portfolios.

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The Motley Fool
Dividend Stocks

In a Dangerous Market, Discounted Scotiabank (TSX:BNS) Is a TFSA Super-Stock

| Victoria Hetherington

Bank of Nova Scotia (TSX:BNS)(NYSE:BNS) is the kind of discounted stock that bargain hunters dream of. Here's why its dividends…

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The Motley Fool
Dividend Stocks

Alarmed Investors Should Get Defensive With Stocks Like Fortis (TSX:FTS)

| Victoria Hetherington

Fortis Inc. (TSX:FTS)(NYSE:FTS) has all the characteristics of a defensive super-stock. Here's why the data says it's a buy.

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The Motley Fool
Stocks for Beginners

Should You Buy Toronto-Dominion Bank (TSX:TD) or Canadian National Railway Company (TSX:CNR) Stock to Start Your TFSA Retirement Portfolio in 2019?

| Andrew Walker

Toronto-Dominion Bank (TSX:TD)(NYSE:TD) and Canadian National Railway Company (TSX:CNR)(NYSE:CNI) have delivered attractive returns to long-term investors. Is one a buy…

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Dividend Stocks

Beginner Investors: Don’t Break These Top 2 Warren Buffett Rules and You’ll Do Very Well Over the Long Run

| Joey Frenette

National Bank of Canada (TSX:NA) is a screaming bargain buy. Follow Warren Buffett's top rules and you'll come out on top…

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The Motley Fool
Dividend Stocks

Fortis Inc. (TSX:FTS) Is the Best Stock to Own in a Bear Market!

| Joey Frenette

Fortis Inc. (TSX:FTS)(NYSE:FTS) is the perfect bear repellent that investors should keep in their portfolios, just in case the bear…

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Dividend Stocks

Retirement Income: 1 Top Dividend Stock to Buy in 2019

| Haris Anwar

Here is why I like Bank of Nova Scotia (TSX:BNS)(NYSE:BNS), one of the top dividend stocks, to earn steadily growing…

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Energy Stocks

Is Crescent Point Energy Corp. (TSX:CPG) Too Cheap to Ignore?

| Andrew Walker

Crescent Point (TSX:CPG) (NYSE:CPG) owns attractive light oil resources that could bring buyout interest.

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Dividend Stocks

Deep-Value Alert: 2 Oversold Canadian Stocks With Limited Downside

| Joey Frenette

Shaw Communications Inc. (TSX:SJR.B)(NYSE:SJR) and one other deep-value stock are for investors who don't want to lose big money on…

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The Motley Fool
Energy Stocks

2 Stocks That Could Be Takeover Targets in 2019

| Andrew Walker

Cenovus Energy Inc. (TSX:CVE)(NYSE:CVE) and a 170-year-old Canadian bank could attract suitors after the steep sell-off in their stock prices.

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Dividend Stocks

Beat the Bear Market: 1 Cheap Safety Stock That’ll Keep Paying You Handsomely

| Joey Frenette

Hydro One Ltd. (TSX:H) is a cheap forever stock that you'll want to hold in your TFSA as the bear…

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Dividend Stocks

RRSP Investors: 3 Stocks to Buy on the Correction and Hold for Decades

| Andrew Walker

Here's why Telus (TSX:T) (NYSE:TU) and another two top Canadian companies deserve to be on your RRSP radar today.

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Dividend Stocks

1 Top TSX Index Banking Stock to Buy Now and Beat a Recession

| Victoria Hetherington

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (TSX:CM)(NYSE:CM) is one of the most defensive stocks on the TSX index. Here's why to…

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Dividend Stocks

Buying Stocks for the Next Depression? Try This Discounted Humdinger!

| Victoria Hetherington

Looking for a hot tip to beat those mid-economic meltdown blues? Canadian Utilities Ltd. (TSX:CU) might be a bold buy.

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Dividend Stocks

3 Dividend Stocks to Launch Your TFSA Retirement Fund in 2019

| Andrew Walker

Here's why Fortis Inc. (TSX:FTS)(NYSE:FTS) and another two TSX Index dividend leaders deserve to be on your radar today.

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Dividend Stocks

RRSP Investors: Should You Buy Toronto-Dominion Bank (TSX:TD) or Suncor Energy Inc. (TSX:SU) Stock Today?

| Andrew Walker

Suncor Energy (TSX:SU) (NYSE:SU) and Toronto-Dominion Bank (TSX:TD) (NYSE:TD) are starting to look oversold. Is one a better RRSP pick…

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Dividend Stocks

2 Top TSX Index Oil Stocks to Invest in Now for Better Times

| Victoria Hetherington

After a plunge in oil prices, here's why Suncor Energy Inc. (TSX:SU)(NYSE:SU) and one other Canadian oil stock are strong…

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Dividend Stocks

TFSA Investors: 2 Top TSX Index Stocks to Buy After the Santa Rout

| Andrew Walker

Nutrien (TSX:NTR) (NYSE:NTR) and another unloved TSX Index industry leader could deliver big gains. Here's why.

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Dividend Stocks

TFSA Investors: 3 Oversold Dividend Stocks to Boost Your Retirement Portfolio

| Andrew Walker

Here's why Bank of Montreal (TSX:BMO) (NYSE:BMO) and another two top TSX Index leaders deserve to be on your TFSA…

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Dividend Stocks

Can This China-Linked Dividend Stock Beat the Market Downturn?

| Victoria Hetherington

Magna International Inc. (TSX:MG)(NYSE:MGA) has been something of a hero stock all year; now it's looking super attractive.

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Dividend Stocks

BMO (TSX:BMO) Is the Defensive Stock Your Dividend Portfolio Needs Right Now

| Victoria Hetherington

Bank of Montreal (TSX:BMO)(NYSE:BMO) is attractively valued at the moment, with a decent dividend yield and defensive statistics.

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Dividend Stocks

TFSA Investors: 2 Plunging TSX Index Stocks That Could Soar in 2019

| Andrew Walker

Royal Bank of Canada (TSX:RY)(NYSE:RY) and another TSX Index giant appear oversold today. Here's why.

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Dividend Stocks

2 Top Canadian Dividend Stocks to Ride Out the Market Correction

| Andrew Walker

Here's why Fortis Inc. (TSX:FTS)(NYSE:FTS) and another Canadian market leader deserve to be on your radar right now.

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Dividend Stocks

Top TSX Index TFSA Pick for 2019

| Joey Frenette

Restaurant Brands International (TSX:QSR)(NYSE:QSR) is one of the kinds of stocks that you should be a buyer of on the…

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Dividend Stocks

How the Rich Invest When the Markets Crash

| Joey Frenette

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (TSX:CM)(NYSE:CM) could sport a +13% dividend yield after a steeper decline, but will you have…

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Stocks for Beginners

TFSA Investors: 2 Oversold TSX Index Stocks to Own for Decades

| Andrew Walker

Canadian National Railway (TSX:CNR) (NYSE:CNI) and one other top TSX Index stop deserve to be on your radar today. Here's…

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Dividend Stocks

Is Fortis Inc. (TSX:FTS) or BCE Inc. (TSX:BCE) a Better RRSP Pick Right Now?

| Andrew Walker

Fortis Inc. (TSX:FTS)(NYSE:FTS) and BCE Inc. (TSX:BCE)(NYSE:BCE) are two of Canada's top dividend stocks. Is one a better RRSP bet…

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Dividend Stocks

Should Toronto-Dominion Bank (TSX:TD) Stock Be on Your TFSA Buy List?

| Andrew Walker

Toronto-Dominion Bank (TSX:TD) (NYSE:TD) is taking a beating amid the broader pullback in the equity market. Is the stock too…

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Dividend Stocks

The Grinch Stole the Christmas Rally But Left a Generous Gift for Contrarian Canadian Investors!

| Joey Frenette

Nobody cares about enhanced yields right now, but they will, so buy Brookfield Renewable Partners (TSX:BEP.UN)(NYSE:BEP) and its 7.4% yield…

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The Motley Fool
Dividend Stocks

Does Bombardier (TSX:BBD.B) Stock Have Better Value or Momentum Stats Right Now? The Data Surprised Me

| Victoria Hetherington

Bombardier, Inc. (TSX:BBD.B) looks like it's great value. But is it a better momentum stock at the end of the…

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Dividend Stocks

TFSA Investors: 2 “Smart Money” Income Securities That You Wouldn’t Think Could Make You Rich!

| Joey Frenette

SmartCentres REIT (TSX:SRU.UN) and WPT Industrial REIT (TSX:WIR.U) are TFSA millionaire-maker securities that aren't at all "sexy".

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Dividend Stocks

Don’t Panic: This TSX Index Tumble Could Make You Rich If You Have a Game Plan!

| Joey Frenette

Any time macro fears send Canadian National Railway Company (TSX:CNR)(NYSE:CNI) shares off the rails, investors should pick up shares of…

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Dividend Stocks

RRSP Investors: 3 Dividend Stars to Help You Build a Retirement Fund

| Andrew Walker

Here's why Bank of Montreal (TSX:BMO)(NYSE:BMO) and another two dividend stocks might be interesting RRSP picks right now.

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Dividend Stocks

A Top Dividend Stock to Buy and Hold in Your TFSA for Decades

| Haris Anwar

Here is why BCE Inc. (TSX:BCE)(NYSE:BCE) is one of my top picks for TFSA investors for 2019.

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Dividend Stocks

Yes, Even Boring Stocks Like Fortis Inc. (TSX:FTS) Could Make You a TFSA Millionaire

| Joey Frenette

Fortis Inc. (TSX:FTS)(NYSE:FTS) is a millionaire-maker stock that most investors overlook.

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Dividend Stocks

3 Oversold Stocks to Put in Your 2019 TFSA Retirement Portfolio

| Andrew Walker

Here's why Nutrien Ltd. (TSX:NTR)(NYSE:NTR) and another two top Canadian stocks should be on your TFSA radar right now.

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Dividend Stocks

Value Alert: Snap Up Tumbling BMO (TSX:BMO) Stock Before It Recovers!

| Victoria Hetherington

Bank of Montreal (TSX:BMO)(NYSE:BMO) is nosediving: here's why that makes it the perfect value opportunity.

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Tech Stocks

Take Action: 1 Easy Strategy to Generate Yield From Non-Dividend Stocks

| Kris Knutson

With valuation much lower, use this simple strategy to mitigate risk and generate a yield from your non-dividend paying stocks…

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Dividend Stocks

The 5 Biggest Bubbles of 2018 and Beyond

| Kris Knutson

It is very difficult to spot bubbles, but after they burst, it's possible to speculate on decimated stocks like Hive…

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Dividend Stocks

This Dividend Stock Has Great Appeal for TFSA Investors

| Haris Anwar

Here is what that makes Fortis Inc. (TSX:FTS)(NYSE:FTS) stock so attractive to own in your TFSA.

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