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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

Dividend Stocks

Sell All Your Stocks? Sure, but Keep This 1 Defensive Dividend Payer

| Victoria Hetherington

Suncor Energy Inc. (TSX:SU)(NYSE:SU) is one of a rare handful of stocks worth holding onto if the economy tanks.

Read more »

Energy Stocks

3 Oversold Canadian TSX Index Giants for Your TFSA Today

| Andrew Walker

Royal Bank of Canada (TSX:RY)(NYSE:RY) and two of its TSX Index heavyweight peers are starting to look attractive. Here's why.

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

Why These 2 Top Dividend Stocks Are Great Buys Today

| Haris Anwar

Canadian National Railway  (TSX:CNR)(NYSE:CNI) is one of the two dividend stocks which can be great buy-and-hold additions to any income…

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

Should You Buy BCE Inc. (TSX:BCE) or Toronto-Dominion Bank (TSX:TD) Stock for Your RRSP Today?

| Andrew Walker

BCE (TSX:BCE) (NYSE:BCE) and Toronto-Dominion Bank (TSX:TD) (NYSE:TD) are starting to look oversold. Is one a better RRSP bet?

Read more »

Energy Stocks

Warning: 4 Overheated Stocks to Sell Now Before the Market Worsens!

| Victoria Hetherington

As global uncertainty weighs on the markets, Cineplex Inc. (TSX:CGX) and three other stocks look ripe for selling.

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Dividend Stocks

Here’s Why Expansion-Hungry BMO (TSX:BMO) Stock Is Only a Moderate Buy

| Victoria Hetherington

Customer-hungry Bank of Montreal (TSX:BMO)(NYSE:BMO) should be a strong buy – but here's why the data says it isn't.

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close-up photo of investor Warren Buffett
Dividend Stocks

Warren Buffett Is Probably Licking His Chops Right Now: Here’s Why You Should Be, Too!

| Joey Frenette

Why defensive investors with holdings like Fortis Inc. (TSX:FTS)(NYS:FTS) and excess cash reserves are licking their chops, like Warren Buffett…

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Dividend Stocks

Use These 4 Strategies to Avoid Making Ridiculous Decisions When the Bear Market Roars

| Kris Knutson

Falling markets can make investors panic. Having a plan like owning a solid stock like Fortis Inc. (TSX:FTS)(NYSE:FTS) can save…

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Dividend Stocks

3 Low-Maintenance Dividend Stocks That Beat the TSX Index P/E Ratio

| Victoria Hetherington

IGM Financial Inc. (TSX:IGM) and two other Canadian stocks have low P/E ratios and high quality indicators right now.

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Dividend Stocks

Invest in the Canadian Banks When They Hit This Important Buy Point

| Kris Knutson

Buying the Canadian banks, like Bank of Nova Scotia (TSX:BNS)(NYSE:BNS), has been a winning strategy over the years. This is…

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Dividend Stocks

Stocks for Beginners: 3 Qualities You Should Look for in Every Investment

| Jason Phillips

Any time you make an investment you'll want to keep these 3 simple factors in mind. Find out how the…

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Stocks for Beginners

An In-Depth Reading for HEXO (TSX:HEXO) Stock Indicates a Strong Sell Signal

| Victoria Hetherington

I put HEXO Corp. (TSX:HEXO) through a stock screening tool and got a sell signal. Have a look at the…

Read more »

Stocks for Beginners

3 Beaten-Up TSX Index Stocks That Look Oversold Today

| Andrew Walker

Here's why Nutrien Ltd (TSX:NTR)(NYSE:NTR) and another two Canadian heavyweights deserve to be on your radar today.

Read more »

Stocks for Beginners

New Risk to International ETFs? The IMF Sounds the Alarm on Global Growth

| Victoria Hetherington

As the IMF cuts its global outlook forecast, should Canadian investors still buy iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets IMI Index…

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Dividend Stocks

In a Market Like This, Defence Wins Championships

| Joey Frenette

Fortis (TSX:FTS)(NYSE:FTS) stock surged on one of the ugliest trading days in recent memory. Here's why overly bullish investors need…

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

I Tracked 3 Defensive REITs Over a Month: Here’s What I Found

| Victoria Hetherington

Artis Real Estate Investment Trust (TSX:AX.UN) heads up a list of deepening discounts among REITs -- but are they a…

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

TFSA Investors: 2 Dividend Stocks To Buy When the Market Is Falling

| Haris Anwar

Royal Bank of Canada (TSX:RY)(NYSE:RY) is one of the two dividend stocks which TFSA investors should consider buying in a…

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

Millennials: 3 Top Stocks to Start Your TFSA Retirement Fund Today

| Andrew Walker

Here's why Rogers Communications Inc. (TSX:RCI.B)(NYSE:RCI) and another two Canadian stocks deserve to be on your TFSA radar.

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

RRSP Investors: 3 of the Best Canadian Stocks to Buy Now for Retirement

| Victoria Hetherington

Laurentian Bank of Canada (TSX:LB) and two more wonderful dividend payers make up today's suggestions for retirement investors.

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Stocks for Beginners

Never Be Ashamed of Buying a Broad Market Index Like This ETF

| Brad Macintosh

Getting nervous about speculative sectors, like pot stocks? It may be time to broaden the portfolio with instant diversification with…

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Dividend Stocks

2 Classic Canadian Stocks for New Investors to Buy and Hold for the Long Term

| Victoria Hetherington

New investors may want to look at Enbridge Inc. (TSX:ENB)(NYSE:ENB) and one mining stock when buying Canadian stocks for the…

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The Motley Fool
Dividend Stocks

New Investors: Do You Own the Current Top 3 Canadian Energy Stocks?

| Victoria Hetherington

Suncor Energy Inc. (TSX:SU)(NYSE:SU) and two other stocks are the best in Canadian oil right now. Which should you own?

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

3 Top Canadian Stocks To Buy When the TSX Index Gets Hit

| Andrew Walker

Toronto-Dominion Bank (TSX:TD) (NYSE:TD) and another two sector leaders are finally pulling back. When should you buy?

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

In-Depth Analysis: Is Enbridge (TSX:ENB) Really a Defensive Stock to Buy and Hold Forever?

| Victoria Hetherington

Analysing Enbridge Inc. (TSX:ENB)(NYSE:ENB) using a home-made stock screener gives an interesting result.

Read more »

Energy Stocks

3 Scary Stocks to Exorcise Before Halloween!

| Victoria Hetherington

Do you own Cineplex Inc. (TSX:CGX) or these two other frightening stocks? With the “October Curse” still upon us, it…

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

Millennials: These 2 Charts Could Change Your Life

| Nelson Smith

You won't believe how well a long-term investment in Constellation Software Inc. (TSX:CSU) or Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. (TSX:ATD.B) has done.

Read more »

electricity transmission
Energy Stocks

Drop This Overvalued Utilities Stock and Buy a Discounted Energy Producer Instead

| Victoria Hetherington

Capital Power Corp. (TSX:CPX) is looking overvalued today compared to one profitable competitor.

Read more »

Stocks for Beginners

3 Top Canadian Stocks to Buy on a Dip and Hold for Decades

| Andrew Walker

Canadian Pacific Railway (TSX:CP) (NYSE:CP) and two Canadian industry giants deserve to be on your radar today. Here's why.

Read more »

Stocks for Beginners

Danger in the Data: Sell This Canadian Cannabis Stock Now

| Victoria Hetherington

Instead of the wonderful growth stock it was hyped to be, overvalued Canopy Growth Corp (TSX:WEED)(NYSE:CGC) now seems a liability.

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

Avoid the “October Curse” and Sidestep Overvalued Stocks Like These

| Victoria Hetherington

Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. (TSX:ATD.B) and two other stocks are hiding overvaluation. Here's why now is a traditionally bad time to…

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

Manulife Financial Corp. (TSX:MFC) Stock Is Oversold and Overdue for a Big Bounce

| Joey Frenette

Manulife Financial (TSX:MFC)(NYSE:MFC) took a hit to the chin of late. With the head-and-shoulders pattern in the rear-view mirror, here's…

Read more »

Stocks for Beginners

Canadian Pot Stocks Take a Big Hit As Legalization Harshes Their Buzz

| Victoria Hetherington

Aphria Inc. (TSX:APH) and one other legal marijuana stock look ripe for selling today, as pot shares continue to take…

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

2 Top Canadian Stocks to Buy When the Market Tanks

| Andrew Walker

Canadian National Railway (TSX:CNR) (NYSE:CNI) and another Canadian industry leader tend to be great long-term buys when the market goes…

Read more »

Stocks for Beginners

Young Investors: These 2 Stocks Are Rocket Fuel for Your TFSA Hyper-Growth Portfolio

| Joey Frenette

Why Cargojet Inc. (TSX:CJT) and Canada Goose Holdings Inc. (TSX:GOOS)(NYSE:GOOS) are explosive growth gems that aggressive growth investors should be…

Read more »

Stocks for Beginners

Young Investors: So, You Want to Be a TFSA Millionaire?

| Joey Frenette

Jamieson Wellness Inc (TSX:JWEL) is a millionaire-maker stock that should be at the core of your TFSA growth fund. Here's…

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

RRSP Investors: 3 Dividend Stocks to Own for 25 Years

| Andrew Walker

Here's why Hydro One Ltd (TSX:H) and another two Canadian dividend stocks might be interesting picks right now.

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

TFSA Investors: 3 Top Canadian Dividend Stocks Trading Near 12-Month Lows

| Andrew Walker

Here's why Telus Corporation (TSX:T)(NYSE:TU) and another two top stocks might be great bargains right now.

Read more »

Tech Stocks

How Immune Is BlackBerry (TSX:BB) Stock to Market Turbulence?

| Victoria Hetherington

BlackBerry Ltd. (TSX:BB)(NYSE:BB) looks sturdy enough to weather the current storm of uncertainty, but should growth investors buy?

Read more »

calm, no emotion
Dividend Stocks

Take the Volatility Out of Your Portfolio With These 2 Stocks (And 1 ETF)

| Kris Knutson

Volatility can shake investors to the core, making them panic and do something they regret. Add some stability to your…

Read more »

The Motley Fool
Dividend Stocks

TFSA Investors: 3 Top Stocks to Start a New Retirement Portfolio

| Andrew Walker

Here's why Canadian National Railway (TSX:CNR)(NYSE:CNI) and another two top Canadian stocks should be on your TFSA radar.

Read more »