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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

Dividend Stocks

So You Think You Know Canada’s Top 5 Defensive Stocks? Think Again!

| Victoria Hetherington

Lundin Mining Corporation (TSX:LUN) and four other well-valued stocks with good past performance make the cut for this list of…

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The Motley Fool
Stocks for Beginners

Putting Money in Cannabis Is Speculation: Don’t Confuse it With Investing

| Kris Knutson

Cannabis stocks like Aurora Cannabis Inc. (TSX:ACB) are trading at high valuations that are not fundamentally justified. Money put into…

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Dividend Stocks

Discount Lumber or Auto Stocks? 1 of These Sectors Offers More Shelter

| Victoria Hetherington

We put West Fraser Timber (TSX:WFT) head-to-head with an auto stock to see which one offers the best shelter for…

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Dividend Stocks

Can a Big Food and Drinks Name Beat CIBC (TSX:CM) Stock on Defensiveness?

| Victoria Hetherington

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (TSX:CM)(NYSE:CM) is one of the sturdiest stocks on the TSX index. Can it be dethroned…

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Dividend Stocks

Top Dividend Stocks That Could Help Build a Perfect TFSA Portfolio

| Haris Anwar

For do-it-yourself investors. Toronto-Dominion Bank (TSX:TD)(NYSE:TD) is one top dividend stock to consider for an income-focused TFSA portfolio.

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Dividend Stocks

Which of My 2 Favourite Undervalued Lumber Stocks Is a Better Buy?

| Victoria Hetherington

Canfor Corp. (TSX:CFP) is a strong buy today, with attractive valuation and some growth ahead. But how does it fare…

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Dividend Stocks

TFSA Retirement Investors: 3 Top Canadian Dividend Stocks That Look Oversold

| Andrew Walker

Here's why Sun Life (TSX:SLF) (NYSE:SLF) and another two Canadian dividend stocks deserve to be on your radar.

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Stocks for Beginners

Are Marijuana Mutual Funds the Future of Canadian Pot Stocks?

| Victoria Hetherington

By spreading risk, funds such as Horizons Medical Marijuana Life Sciences Index ETF (TSX:HMMJ) could take over from individual pot…

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Dividend Stocks

Here Are My 3 Best Buys for Sturdy Balance Sheets

| Victoria Hetherington

Magna International (TSX:MG)(NYSE:MGA) and two other stocks have solid balance sheets. Find out which is the healthiest stock on the…

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Dividend Stocks

3 Top Dividend Stocks to Start Your RRSP Nest Egg

| Andrew Walker

Canadian Natural Resources Ltd (TSX:CNQ)(NYSE:CNQ) and another two Canadian dividend stars are attractive picks to start your RRSP portfolio. Here's…

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Dividend Stocks

2 Green Energy Stocks for a Lucrative and Ethical Investment

| Victoria Hetherington

Polaris Infrastructure (TSX:PIF) and one other overlooked green energy stock offer investors an opportunity to build a lucrative ethical portfolio.

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Stocks for Beginners

Today’s Top 3 Unloved High-Growth Canadian Stocks

| Victoria Hetherington

Alacer Gold Corp. (TSX:ASR) and two other stocks have great multiples, undervaluation, and yet all signal high growth. Which should…

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Dividend Stocks

Is It Better to Invest in Quality Stocks or Bargain Stocks?

| Kay Ng

Which of these stocks will you invest in today? Manulife Financial Corporation (TSX:MFC)(NYSE:MFC) or Intact Financial Corporation (TSX:IFC)?

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The Motley Fool
Dividend Stocks

Are These Really the Top 3 Dividend Rock Stars of the TSX Index?

| Victoria Hetherington

Bank of Nova Scotia (TSX:BNS)(NYSE:BNS) and two other great Canadian stocks are among the best dividend payers today.

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Dividend Stocks

Is Attractive Valuation Enough to Lure Investors Back to Auto Stocks?

| Victoria Hetherington

Is Uni-Select (TSX:UNS) too exposed to Brexit uncertainties, and would its competitor be a better buy all round?

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Dividend Stocks

2 Dividend Stocks to Buy Now and Hold for the Next Decade

| Haris Anwar

Here is what makes Bank of Montreal (TSX:BMO)(NYSE:BMO) a dividend stock you can buy and hold to earn growing income…

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Dividend Stocks

2 Top Canadian Banks I’d Buy for My TFSA Before September Ends

| Joey Frenette

Toronto-Dominion Bank (TSX:TD)(NYSE:TD) and one other bank stock is a screaming buy for your TFSA at current levels.

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Dividend Stocks

Young Investors: 3 Top Canadian Dividend Stocks to Buy Now and Own to Retirement

| Andrew Walker

TransCanada Corporation (TSX:TRP)(NYSE:TRP) and another two Canadian dividend champions deserve to be on your radar today.

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The Motley Fool
Dividend Stocks

2 Top Energy Stocks to Buy When They’re Selling Absurdly Cheap

| Haris Anwar

Enbridge Inc. (TSX:ENB)(NYSE:ENB) is one of two energy stocks that are selling cheap after a pullback in their prices.

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Dividend Stocks

Which of These 3 Diversified REITs Will Help Canadian Investors Get Defensive?

| Victoria Hetherington

So, you're looking for diversified REITs? Artis Real Estate Investment Trust (TSX:AX.UN) and two other Canadian real estate stocks have…

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Dividend Stocks

2 Cheap Stocks for Value-Focused Investors to Buy and Hold

| Victoria Hetherington

Leon's Furniture Ltd. (TSX:LNF) and one other stock offer value investors great quality at a discounted price. Here's why both…

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Stocks for Beginners

2 Iconic Canadian Clothing Stocks for Millennial Investors

| Victoria Hetherington

Roots Corp. (TSX:ROOT) and one other iconic Canadian clothing stock are popular choices for millennial investors – but are they…

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Dividend Stocks

There’s Only 1 Stock I’d Buy Right Now for Positive Momentum

| Victoria Hetherington

Jamieson Wellness Inc. (TSX:JWEL) has strong positive momentum, making it a good pick for capital gains investors. But is it…

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Dividend Stocks

Should Royal Bank of Canada (TSX:RY) or Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (TSX:CM) Stock Be in Your RRSP?

| Andrew Walker

Royal Bank of Canada (TSX:RY) (NYSE:RY) and Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (TSX:CM) (NYSE:CM) are generating impressive results. Is one…

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Dividend Stocks

3 Top Canadian Dividend Stocks for New TFSA Investors

| Andrew Walker

Here's why Bank of Montreal (TSX:BMO) (NYSE:BMO) and another two top Canadian dividend stocks deserve to be on your radar.

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Dividend Stocks

Should You Buy REITs or Mining Stocks for Diversification?

| Victoria Hetherington

Sierra Metals Inc. (TSX:SMT) and two other stocks can offer investors ready diversification; but are REITs or miners the better…

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Dividend Stocks

2 Canadian ETFs to Hold and Grow Your U.S. Dollars While You Wait for Opportunities

| Kris Knutson

After selling your growth stocks, use an ETF like BMO Mid-Term US Medium-Term Corporate Bond Index ETF (US Dollar Units)…

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Dividend Stocks

How to Get Big Monthly Income for the Rest of Your Life

| Joey Frenette

BMO Canadian High Dividend Covered Call ETF (TSX:ZWC) is a one-stop-shop investment with powerful long-term potential.

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Stocks for Beginners

These Under-the-Radar Stocks Will Keep Beating the Market Over the Next 5-10 Years

| Joey Frenette

TFI International Inc. (TSX:TFII) and one other undervalued growth stock will continue flying higher over the long haul.

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Stocks for Beginners

Cannabis or Cancer Treatment: 2 High-Growth Healthcare Stocks Compared

| Victoria Hetherington

Does CannTrust Holdings (TSX:TRST) beat a traditional healthcare competitor on value and growth today?

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The Motley Fool
Stocks for Beginners

It’s Been 10 Years Since the Collapse of Lehman Brothers: 3 Lessons for Investors Today

| Ambrose O'Callaghan

The collapse of Lehman Brothers and the near collapse of Home Capital Group Inc. (TSX:HCG) hold important lessons for Canadian…

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Dividend Stocks

How to Get Your 1st $100,000

| Kay Ng

Restaurant Brands International Inc. (TSX:QSR)(NYSE:QSR) can help you get your first $100,000. Here's how.

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Energy Stocks

Utility Stocks During a Recession Are Safer Havens: 2 Stocks for Your TFSA

| Brad Macintosh

A private equity firm increased its stake in Tidewater Midstream and Infrastructure Ltd (TSX:TWM). Is it better to buy this…

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Dividend Stocks

Is Mirroring the Market an Outdated Strategy?

| David Jagielski

The TSX has been dreadful this year, and you may just be better off putting your money into Toronto-Dominion Bank (TSX:TD)(NYSE:TD)…

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Dividend Stocks

New RRSP Investors: 2 Oversold Dividend Stocks for a Balanced Retirement Fund

| Andrew Walker

Power Financial (TSX:PWF) and another beaten-up Canadian dividend stock deserve to be on your RRSP radar.

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Dividend Stocks

Are These the Only 3 Diversified REITs You Need to Know About?

| Victoria Hetherington

H&R Real Estate Investment Trust (TSX:HR.UN) and two other REITs can help real estate investors add easy diversification to a…

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Dividend Stocks

Young Investors: 2 Reliable Canadian Dividend Stocks to Start Your TFSA Retirement Fund

| Andrew Walker

Here's how investing in top dividend stocks, such as Royal Bank of Canada (TSX:RY) (NYSE:RY), can help young investors put…

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Dividend Stocks

A Top Dividend Stock That You Could Regret Not Buying Sooner

| Haris Anwar

Rogers Communications Inc. (TSX:RCI.B)(NYSE:RCI) is a top dividend stock that has the potential to double your money.

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Dividend Stocks

TFSA Investors: Should Suncor Inc. (TSX:SU) Stock Be in Your Dividend Portfolio?

| Andrew Walker

Suncor Energy (TSX:SU) (NYSE:SU) owns great assets with decades of potential production growth. Should you buy today?

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Stocks for Beginners

3 Red-Hot (Non-Marijuana) Stocks for Young Investors

| Brian Pacampara, CFA

Looking for momentum, but not a fan of weed stocks? These three stocks, including Sierra Wireless, Inc. (TSX:SW)(NASDAQ:SWIR), might be…

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