Motley Fool Premium
  1. Category
    2. /
  2. Investing
    3. /
  3. Stocks for Beginners
    4. /

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

data center server racks glow with light
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.

Read more »

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…

Read more »

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.

Read more »

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…

Read more »

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.

Read more »

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…

Read more »

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%…

Read more »

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

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.…

Read more »

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…

Read more »

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…

Read more »

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…

Read more »

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?

Read more »

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?

Read more »

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.

Read more »

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.

Read more »

win
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.

Read more »

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.

Read more »

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…

Read more »

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…

Read more »

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…

Read more »

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…

Read more »

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.

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

2 Smart Ways to Bolster Your Monthly Income

| Joey Frenette

Shaw Communications Inc. (TSX:SJR.B)(NYSE:SJR) and SmartCentres Real Estate Investment Trst (TSX:SRU.UN) are two top monthly income picks for smart retirees.…

Read more »

grow your investments
Dividend Stocks

Young Investors: 2 Solid Stocks to Start Your Portfolio

| Stephanie Bedard-Chateauneuf, MBA

If you are a beginner investor, it is a good idea to start your portfolio by buying low-beta stocks such…

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

3 Smart Things You Can Do With $1,000 Right Now

| Kay Ng

Invest in Brookfield Infrastructure Partners L.P. (TSX:BIP.UN)(NYSE:BIP) now and you’ll thank yourself in the future.

Read more »

The Motley Fool
Dividend Stocks

Income Investors Beware: This Canadian Company Is “Diworsifying” Itself to the Max

| Joey Frenette

Power Corporation of Canada (TSX:POW) is a stock to be avoided by all investors. Here's why.

Read more »

Stocks for Beginners

Why Value Investing Pays Off

| David Jagielski

Toronto-Dominion Bank (TSX:TD)(NYSE:TD) is a great investment option for value investors, and for good reason.

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

Is Corus Entertainment Inc. (TSX:CJR.B) a Deep-Value Play or a Trap?

| Joey Frenette

Should you buy Corus Entertainment Inc. (TSX:CJR.B) on the dip? Or is there more downside ahead?

Read more »

Stocks for Beginners

Diary of a Value Investor: Marijuana Stocks Make Me Sick

| James Watkins-Strand

Marijuana stocks like Canopy Growth Corp. (TSX:WEED)(NYSE:CGC) don’t pass the litmus test for value and that’s a real problem.

Read more »

Stocks for Beginners

Young Investors: 2 Small-Caps Stock That Could Become Major Multi-Baggers

| Joey Frenette

Spin Master Corp. (TSX:TOY) and another growth stock should be at the core of a young investor's portfolio.

Read more »

The Motley Fool
Stocks for Beginners

Is Royal Bank of Canada (TSX:RY) or Canadian National Railway Company (TSX:CNR) Better for Your RRSP?

| Andrew Walker

Royal Bank of Canada (TSX:RY) (NYSE:RY) and Canadian National Railway (TSX:CNR) (NYSE:CNI) are two of Canada's top companies. Is one…

Read more »

Stocks for Beginners

It’s Time for These Debt-Free Stars to Shine

| James Watkins-Strand

Companies such as PrairieSky Royalty Ltd. (TSX:PSK) with no debt and cash to spare may have an advantage as interest…

Read more »

Stocks for Beginners

Top 3 Canadian Mining Stocks With Low P/E Ratios

| Victoria Hetherington

Alacer Gold Corp. (TSX:ASR) and two other Canadian mining stocks are a buy right now based on their low P/E…

Read more »

Stocks for Beginners

What Would a Hard Brexit Mean for Canadian Stocks?

| Victoria Hetherington

A hard Brexit could help Britain to make better trade deals with non-E.U. partners. What would it mean for Canadian…

Read more »

Stocks for Beginners

Can You Become Rich as a Deep-Value Investor?

| Joey Frenette

Empire Companies Ltd. (TSX:EMP.A) is just one example of a deep-value play that went right. Here's a deep-value play that…

Read more »

Stocks for Beginners

4 Top Stocks With Institutional Ownership

| James Watkins-Strand

Stocks such as Gildan Activewear Inc. (TSX:GIL)(NYSE:GIL), with high levels of institutional ownership, can provide a margin of safety in…

Read more »

The Motley Fool
Dividend Stocks

2 Top Stocks to Buy and Hold in Your TFSA

| Haris Anwar

Here is why Bank of Nova Scotia (TSX:BNS)(NYSE:BNS) is one of the two top dividend stocks to buy for your…

Read more »

The Motley Fool
Dividend Stocks

A Practical and Rewarding Way to Invest

| Kay Ng

Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp. (TSX:AQN)(NYSE:AQN) and another stock are cash cows you can buy and hold for rewarding, growing…

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

Protect Your Portfolio From Market Volatility

| James Watkins-Strand

Low-beta stocks like CCL Industries Inc. (TSX:CCL.B) can make your portfolio less sensitive to market volatility.

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

TFSA Investors: This High-Yield Dividend Stock Is Trading at a +50% Discount

| Victoria Hetherington

Northland Power Inc. (TSX:NPI) offers investors a defensive stock that combines good value with reasonable growth. But why else is…

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

3 Top Canadian Stocks for New TFSA Investors

| Andrew Walker

Rogers Communications Inc. (TSX:RCI.B)(NYSE:RCI) and another two top Canadian stocks should be on your buy-and-hold TFSA radar.

Read more »

railroad
Stocks for Beginners

Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd. (TSX:CP) or Canadian National Railway (TSX:CNR) for Your TFSA?

| Andrew Walker

Canadian Pacific Railway Limited (TSX:CP)(NYSE:CP) and Canadian National Railway (TSX:CNR)(NYSE:CNI) have delivered impressive long-term results for shareholders. Is one a…

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

RRSP Investors: 2 Stocks to Anchor Your Retirement Fund

| Andrew Walker

Here's why Waste Connections Inc. (TSX:WCN)(NYSE:WCN) and another top stock deserve to be on your RRSP radar.

Read more »

Tech Stocks

How Useful Is the Fear and Greed Index to Canadian Investors?

| Victoria Hetherington

Shopify Inc. (TSX:SHOP)(NYSE:SHOP) can be seen as a tech stock analogue when cross-referencing U.S and Canadian markets. Can the Fear…

Read more »

Stocks for Beginners

Benefit From Market-Beating Funds Without the Fees

| James Watkins-Strand

Investors can use the strategies of top-performing funds to find great additions to their portfolios, like Cargojet Inc. (TSX:CJT).

Read more »

Tech Stocks

Understanding How Your Psychological Makeup Can Affect Your Investment Decisions

| Jason Phillips

Learn how your own psychological makeup can provide valuable insights as to whether a stock like Valeant Pharmaceuticals Intl Inc.…

Read more »

electricity transmission
Dividend Stocks

Fortis Inc. (TSX:FTS) vs. Enbridge Inc. (TSX:ENB): Which Stock Is a Better Buy?

| Haris Anwar

Fortis Inc. (TSX:FTS)(NYSE:FTS) is one of two top utility stocks that long-term investors can buy to earn stable income.

Read more »