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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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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

Here’s the Real Reason I Won’t Buy Canopy Growth (TSX:WEED) Stock

| Victoria Hetherington

Are bullish investors overlooking an important detail with Canopy Growth Corp.’s (TSX:WEED)(NYSE:CGC) recent landmark deal?

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Stocks for Beginners

What Do Canadian Investors Need to Know About a No-Deal Brexit?

| Victoria Hetherington

Goldcorp Inc. (TSX:G)(NYSE:GG) stock may be a good contrarian play ahead of a potential soft Brexit. But what else do…

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Dividend Stocks

Retirees: It Pays Massive Dividends to Consider This 1 Crucial Metric When Hunting Down High-Income REITs

| Joey Frenette

How to identify misunderstood REITs like SmartCentres Real Estate Investment Trust (TSX:SRU.UN) to give your retirement income the rocket fuel…

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Tech Stocks

15 Emerging Markets to Avoid and 1 Red-Hot Contrarian Gold Play

| Victoria Hetherington

Which 15 emerging markets should Canadian investors avoid right now, and is Alacer Gold Corp. (TSX:ASR) the best contrarian play…

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Dividend Stocks

2 Rising Dividend Stocks That Could Go Much Higher

| Andrew Walker

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (TSX:CM) (NYSE:CM) and another top Candian dividend stock are moving higher. Is it time to…

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Dividend Stocks

A Top Canadian Dividend Stocks to Help Grow Your Retirement Fund Over The Next 30 Years

| Andrew Walker

Suncor Energy (TSX:SU) (NYSE:SU) has generated impressive returns for long-term investors. will the trend continue?

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Dividend Stocks

How to Succeed With Investing: Maximize Returns in Your Taxable Account

| Kris Knutson

Allocating stocks efficiently can be tricky. In your taxable account, stocks such as BCE Inc. (TSX:BCE)(NYSE:BCE) pay excellent tax-advantaged dividends.…

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Dividend Stocks

1 Simple Secret to Amass Profound Wealth Over the Long Term

| Joey Frenette

Fortis Inc. (TSX:FTS)(NYSE:FTS) is a rich investor's stock. Here's why.

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The Motley Fool
Dividend Stocks

Crush the Market in a Socially Responsible Manner With This Incredible Stock

| Joey Frenette

Why Canadian National Railway (TSX:CNR)(NYSE:CNI) is a socially responsible investment that can position a morally-conscious investor's portfolio for market-beating gains.

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Dividend Stocks

Are These the Best Canadian Energy Stocks to Buy for Easy Money?

| Victoria Hetherington

Inter Pipeline Ltd. (TSX:IPL) and two other energy-related stocks pay big dividend yields at the moment. Should you buy for…

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Dividend Stocks

What Does a Slowing Housing Market Mean for the TSX Index?

| Victoria Hetherington

Norbord Inc. (TSX:OSB)(NYSE:OSB) and other real estate-weighted stocks may suffer from a cooling global housing market. Should you stay invested?

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Dividend Stocks

The #1 Way to Reduce Your Stress Levels in Volatile Markets

| Kris Knutson

After a calm 2017, volatility has returned with a vengeance. Investors who want to reduce their portfolio volatility should look…

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Dividend Stocks

1 Canadian FAANG-Breaker for Your Tech Stock Wish List

| Victoria Hetherington

Open Text (TSX:OTEX)(NYSE:OTEX) is a great Canadian alternative to the U.S. FAANG stocks, and beats one other tech stock on…

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The Motley Fool
Dividend Stocks

5 Reasons Why a Dollar-Cost Averaging Strategy Can Save You Time and Make You Money

| Jason Phillips

Dollar-cost averaging is a proven strategy that can help reduce the frustration many investors deal with in trying to “time”…

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Dividend Stocks

Young TFSA Investors: A Top Canadian Dividend Stock to Start Your Retirement Fund

| Andrew Walker

Royal Bank of Canada (TSX:RY) (NYSE:RY) has generated impressive returns for long-term investors.

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Stocks for Beginners

2 Ratios to Help Evaluate Companies That Have No Earnings

| David Jagielski

Shopify Inc (TSX:SHOP)(NYSE:SHOP) has achieved strong sales growth over the years, but is the stock overpriced?

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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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railroad
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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Senior couple at the lake having a picnic
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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retired life
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…

Read more »

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,…

Read more »

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.

Read more »