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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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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

A Bad Week for Weed: Paranoia and Bad Vibes Hit Pot Stocks

| Victoria Hetherington

It’s been a bad week for pot stocks like Canopy Growth (TSX:WEED). What’s impacting the industry, and will the effects…

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Dividend Stocks

Retirement Investing? These 4 Dividend Rock Stars Will Make Your RRSP Sing!

| Victoria Hetherington

Fortis Inc. (TSX:FTS)(NYSE:FTS) and three other well-known dividend payers are your retirement picks for the weekend!

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Dividend Stocks

2 Top Canadian Dividend Stocks for a Self-Directed Retirement Fund

| Andrew Walker

Here's why Bank of Montreal (TSX:BMO)(NYSE:BMO) and a market leader in the energy infrastructure sector deserve to be on your…

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Dividend Stocks

Should Toronto-Dominion Bank (TSX:TD) or Nutrien Ltd. (TSX:NTR) Be in Your RRSP?

| Andrew Walker

Toronto-Dominion Bank (TSX:TD) (NYSE:TD) and Nutrien (TSX:NTR) (NYSE:NTR) are two of Canada's top companies. Is one a better RRSP pick…

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The Motley Fool
Dividend Stocks

2 Market-Beating Growth Stocks to Buy in August

| Haris Anwar

Shopify Inc.(TSX:SHOP)(NYSE:SHOP) is one of the two growth stocks that are positioned to deliver market-beating returns.

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The Motley Fool
Dividend Stocks

The Top 2 Things You Can Do to Retire Early

| Kay Ng

Whether you’re retiring in five years or 30 years, Toronto-Dominion Bank (TSX:TD)(NYSE:TD) and another stock can help you retire sooner.…

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Dividend Stocks

BCE Inc. (TSX:BCE) vs. Enbridge Inc. (TSX:ENB): Which Dividend Stock Should You Stash in Your TFSA?

| Haris Anwar

Both BCE Inc. (USA) (NYSE:BCE) and Enbridge Inc. (USA) (NYSE:ENB) are two staple stocks for TFSA savers. Find out which…

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Dividend Stocks

This Is the Best Strategy to Rearrange Your TFSA for the Bear Market to Come

| Kris Knutson

After an excellent run with growth stocks such as Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) in your TFSA, sell those shares and buy…

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The Motley Fool
Dividend Stocks

Why Retirees Need to Be Wary of High-Yield Stocks

| Kay Ng

What you should keep in mind when investing in high-yield stocks, such as NorthWest Health Prop Real Est Inv Trust…

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Stocks for Beginners

How Today’s Young Investor Can Propel Themselves to a Rich Retirement

| Joey Frenette

When it comes to building profound wealth over the long haul, you don't need to risk your shirt in high-risk…

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Dividend Stocks

A Low(er)-Risk Strategy for Investing in Cannabis and Cryptocurrencies

| Kris Knutson

Investing in the latest trends can be risky. Stocks such as Canopy Growth Corp. (TSX:WEED)(NYSE:CGC) rise and fall quickly. Reduce…

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Stocks for Beginners

Should You Buy Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd. (TSX:CP) Right Now?

| Andrew Walker

Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd. (TSX:CP)(NYSE:CP) is on a roll. Should this stock be in your portfolio?

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Tech Stocks

Millennials: Retire Young With These 2 TFSA Millionaire-Maker Stocks

| Joey Frenette

Millennials should buy and hold Cargojet Inc. (TSX:CJT) and one other stock forever if they desire to retire early.

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Dividend Stocks

Preparing for Retirement? Consider Buying These 2 High-Performance Stocks

| Victoria Hetherington

Do you ned dividend stocks with some growth, or growth stocks that pay some dividends? Enbridge Inc. (TSX:ENB)(NYSE:ENB) is one…

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Dividend Stocks

2 Top Dividend Stocks to Help You Thrive in Retirement

| Karen Thomas, MSc, CFA

Rising interest rates and strong global trends make Manulife Financial Corporation (TSX:MFC) (NYSE:MFC) and Sun Life Financial Inc. (TSX:SLF) (MYSE:SLF)…

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Dividend Stocks

Undervalued Dividend Stocks Just Right for Your Retirement Fund

| Victoria Hetherington

Laurentian Bank of Canada (TSX:LB) and one other dividend stock make for an odd couple that's just right for your…

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Stocks for Beginners

Timing the Markets Is a Waste of Your Time! Do This Instead

| Joey Frenette

Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd. (TSX:FFH) offers downside protection without overly inhibiting your returns, as the aging bull continues to roar.

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Dividend Stocks

GARP Investors: Only 1 of These Popular Canadian Stocks Is a Buy

| Victoria Hetherington

Lassonde Industries Inc. (TSX:LAS.A) and two other popular Canadian stocks get their fundamentals picked over. Are any of them a…

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Dividend Stocks

3 Ways to Establish a Position in Your Favourite Stocks

| Kay Ng

This may sound contradictory, but you can build positions in your favourite stocks, such as Shopify Inc. (TSX:SHOP)(NYSE:SHOP), while having…

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Stocks for Beginners

3 Reasons Why Canadian Marijuana Stocks Are More Complicated Than You Think

| Victoria Hetherington

Hydropothecary Corp. (TSX:HEXO) is still a favourite for investors getting into weed stocks. But did you know just how complex…

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Dividend Stocks

FAANGs for the Memories: How to Invest in Canadian Tech Stocks Instead

| Victoria Hetherington

Never mind the naysayers, Canadian DOCKS stocks like The Descartes Systems Group Inc. (TSX:DSG)(NYSE:DSGX) are worth a look.

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Stocks for Beginners

Which of These 2 Canadian Weed Stocks Is Most Likely to Make You Rich?

| Victoria Hetherington

Let’s compare multiples and outlook for CannTrust Holdings Inc. (TSX:TRST) and one other Canadian weed stock and see which one…

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Stocks for Beginners

This Top Weed Stock Just Failed a Value, Quality, and Momentum Test

| Victoria Hetherington

Aphria Inc. (TSX:APH)(NASDAQ:APHQF) is one of the most talked-about Canadian weed stocks. But how does it hold up on value,…

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Tech Stocks

And the Award for Best Canadian Tech Company Goes To …

| Joey Frenette

Here's why Spin Master Corp. (TSX:TOY) may be the most disruptive tech company on the TSX.

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Dividend Stocks

Dividend Investors: 2 Utility Stocks to Light Up Your TFSA

| Andrew Walker

Here's why Innergex Renewable Energy Inc. (TSX:INE) and another growing utility company deserve to be on your radar.

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Dividend Stocks

3 Canadian Stocks to Buy Now for a Comfortable Retirement

| Victoria Hetherington

The Bank of Nova Scotia (TSX:BNS)(NYSE:BNS) is one of the best stocks you can buy for your RRSP or RRIF.…

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Dividend Stocks

Strengthen Your Core Portfolio With These 5 TSX-Listed Companies

| Kris Knutson

Stocks with solid earnings and consistent dividend profiles such as Canadian National Railway (TSX:CNR)(NYSE:CNI) should be core additions to your…

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Stocks for Beginners

Lagging the TSX Index? Rethink Sector Exposure

| James Watkins-Strand

Stocks like Royal Bank of Canada (TSX:RY)(NYSE:RY) are weighted heavily in the index, and the composite’s moves correlate most closely…

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The Motley Fool
Stocks for Beginners

Why Investors Ought to Heed This Recent Warning From Warren Buffett

| Joey Frenette

Why it doesn't take a complete fraud like a Valeant (now known as Bausch Health Companies Inc. (TSX:BHC)(NYSE:BHC)) in 2014 to…

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Stocks for Beginners

Green Gold or Real Gold: Which Growth Stocks Are Best?

| Victoria Hetherington

Hydropothecary Corp. (TSX:HEXO) is a high-growth weed stock. But does a stock from an alternative industry offer a safer play?

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Stocks for Beginners

Canopy Growth Corp.: Is Another Rally About to Begin?

| Andrew Walker

Canopy Growth Corp. (TSX:WEED) (NYSE:CGC) has stabilized after recent weakness. Is the stock a buy today?

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Dividend Stocks

These 3 Words Could Cost Canadian Investors Millions

| Victoria Hetherington

Buying stocks like Toronto-Dominion Bank (TSX:TD)(NYSE:TD) could protect your money from a worrying trend in the U.S.

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Dividend Stocks

You’ll Never Guess How Many Millennials Don’t Own Stocks

| Victoria Hetherington

Here’s why millennials are so scared of owning stocks, and why Canopy Growth Corp. (TSX:WEED)(NYSE:CGC) might be a good choice.

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Stocks for Beginners

How to Get Rich SAFELY Off Canadian Small-Cap Stocks

| Joey Frenette

Here's how you can spot small-cap winners, like Cargojet Inc. (TSX:CJT), when hunting for small-cap names.

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Dividend Stocks

2 Top Dividend Stocks to Buy for Your TFSA This Summer

| Haris Anwar

Rogers Communications Inc. (TSX:RCI.B)(NYSE:RCI) is one of the top dividends stocks that could help create TFSA wealth.

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Stocks for Beginners

3 Companies With Heaps of Cash

| James Watkins-Strand

Companies like Husky Energy Inc. (TSX:HSE) with massive cash hoards have the flexibility and resources to succeed in good times…

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The Motley Fool
Tech Stocks

How to Build Your Own Stock-Screening Tool Using a 3-Factor Strategy

| Victoria Hetherington

How can investors use technical terms to assess stocks like Constellation Software Inc. (TSX:CSU) without the need for a portfolio…

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Tech Stocks

Can Investors Really Gain Access to $5.127 Trillion in Global Industry With Just 2 Stocks?

| Victoria Hetherington

Nutrien Ltd (TSX:NTR)(NYSE:NTR) and one other Canadian mining stock make up a powerful tag team for first-time investors in the…

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Stocks for Beginners

3 Huge Challenges to Canadian Stocks and 1 Unlikely Contrarian Play

| Victoria Hetherington

Amid a perfect storm of stock market stressors, could Magna International Inc. (TSX:MG)(NYSE:MGA) be the hero you didn’t know you…

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Stocks for Beginners

3 Canadian Ways to “Millennialize” Your Portfolio

| Joey Frenette

Restaurant Brands International Inc. (TSX:QSR)(NYSE:QSR) and two other stocks will better position your portfolio to profit from millennial spending habits.

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