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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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Dividend Stocks

Are You Keeping Tabs on What Management Is Doing With Your Money?

| Jason Phillips

Find out what you can do to keep yourself from staying up at night wondering about what companies like Valeant…

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The Motley Fool
Dividend Stocks

2 Solid Dividend Stocks to Diversify Your Retirement Income

| Haris Anwar

Here is why Brookfield Infrastructure Partners L.P. (TSX:BIP.UN)(NYSE:BIP) is one of the two dividend stocks to boost your retirement income.

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Dividend Stocks

There’s More to Canadian Stocks Than the S&P/TSX Composite Index

| Victoria Hetherington

New Canadian investors are drawn to the S&P/TSX Composite Index. But are other TSX stocks, like Continental Gold Inc. (TSX:CNL),…

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Stocks for Beginners

Understanding Leverage: The Gift and the Curse

| Jason Phillips

Leverage can be both a gift and a curse. Find out what makes the cases of Dollarama Inc. (TSX:DOL) and…

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Dividend Stocks

2 Dividend Stocks to Buy and Hold in Your TFSA This Summer

| Haris Anwar

Bank of Montreal (TSX:BMO)(NYSE:BMO) is one of two dividend stocks that TFSA investors should consider for their buy-and-hold portfolio.

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Dividend Stocks

3 Factors That Contribute to Good Corporate Governance

| Jason Phillips

Research suggests that companies employing sound corporate governance strategies are more likely to outperform markets over the long-term. Find out…

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Stocks for Beginners

Exploring Value: These Stocks Trade Below Book

| James Watkins-Strand

Companies like Morguard Corp. (TSX:MRC) have more value on their balance sheets than is reflected in their share prices.

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Stocks for Beginners

3 Top Canadian Stocks to Start a Self-Directed RRSP Portfolio

| Andrew Walker

Canadian National Railway (TSX:CNR)(NYSE:CNI) and another two top companies can provide a solid foundation for your new retirement fund.

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Dividend Stocks

3 Reasons Why You Might Be Wise to Consider Selling Some of the Holdings in Your Portfolio

| Jason Phillips

Here are three reasons why you might want to consider selling one of your holdings, including a change at the…

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Dividend Stocks

2 Top Dividend Stocks Selling Cheap Equals Opportunity

| Haris Anwar

Enbridge Inc. (TSX:ENB)(NYSE:ENB) is one of two top dividend stocks which are offering higher than average dividend yields, creating an…

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Dividend Stocks

How to Survive a Stock Market Crash and Keep Buying Stocks

| Victoria Hetherington

Goldcorp Inc. (TSX:G)(NYSE:GG) leads the top stocks to hold in the event of a stock market crash. What other stocks…

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Dividend Stocks

A Real Estate Stock You Can Safely Stash in Your TFSA

| Haris Anwar

RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust (TSX:REI.UN) is one of the safest bets for young investors who want to make use…

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Dividend Stocks

5 Behavioural Biases to Avoid If You Want to Improve Your Investment Returns

| Jason Phillips

Learn about the most common investing pitfalls and how to avoid them in order to help you towards your financial…

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The Motley Fool
Dividend Stocks

3 TFSA Superstar Stocks Trading at a Deep Discount

| Victoria Hetherington

Three of the best dividend stocks on the TSX have huge discounts right now. Here’s why Exco Technologies Ltd. (TSX:XTC)…

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Dividend Stocks

A Top Dividend Stock to Buy and Then Forget

| Haris Anwar

Here is why Royal Bank of Canada (TSX:RY)(NYSE:RY) is a top dividend stock to buy and then never sell.

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The Motley Fool
Dividend Stocks

New TFSA Investors: 3 Canadian Stocks to Hold Until Retirement

| Andrew Walker

Suncor Energy Inc. (TSX:SU)(NYSE:SU) and another two top Canadian stocks are a good start to build a TFSA retirement fund.

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Dividend Stocks

BCE Inc. (TSX:BCE) vs. Telus Corp. (TSX:TU): Which Stock Is a Better Buy?

| Haris Anwar

BCE Inc. (TSX:BCE)(NYSE:BCE) and Telus Corporation (TSX:T)(NYSE:TU) are among the best telecom stocks in Canada. Let's find out which one…

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Dividend Stocks

A Dividend Growth Stock to Charge Your TFSA

| Haris Anwar

Here is why Toronto-Dominion Bank (TSX:TD)(NYSE:TD) is one of the best dividend growth stocks to keep in your TFSA.

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Dividend Stocks

Toronto-Dominion Bank (TSX:TD) Is Now Canada’s Top Banking Stock

| Victoria Hetherington

The Toronto-Dominion Bank (TSX:TD)(NYSE:TD) is Canada's premium banking stock, and pays a good dividend. But why else are TD stocks…

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Dividend Stocks

2 Top Dividend Stocks to Fuel Growth in Your Retirement Income

| Haris Anwar

Enbridge Inc. (TSX:ENB)(NYSE:ENB) is among the top dividend stocks that could help you to generate solid retirement income.

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Stocks for Beginners

Canada Goose Holdings Inc. Is the Growth Story Canada’s Been Waiting For

| Joey Frenette

Canada Goose Holdings Inc. (TSX:GOOS)(NYSE:GOOS) could be the single greatest Canadian IPO of the decade! Should you buy after the…

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Dividend Stocks

Is Nutrien Ltd. (TSX:NTR) an Attractive Stock Pick for Your Dividend-Focused RRSP?

| Andrew Walker

Improving conditions in the crop nutrients market bode well for Nutrien Ltd. (TSX:NTR)(NYSE:NTR) investors. Is this the time to buy?

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The Motley Fool
Stocks for Beginners

4 TFSA-Worthy All-Star Companies With the Urge to Merge!

| Joey Frenette

Alimenation Couche Tard Inc. (TSX:ATD.B) and three other earnings-growth stars that Canadian investors ought to consider buying.

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A Value Dividend Stock You Can Safely Own in Your TFSA

| Haris Anwar

Here is why Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (TSX:CM)(NYSE:CM) offers a good value for TFSA investors who want to earn…

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Stocks for Beginners

Beginners Beware: Avoid These Types of Stocks Like the Bubonic Plague

| Joey Frenette

When it comes to paid promos, it can be difficult to know what's trustworthy. Here are some tips on telling…

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Dividend Stocks

TFSA Investors: 3 Top Canadian Dividend Stocks to Start a Retirement Fund

| Andrew Walker

Here's why Royal Bank of Canada (TSX:RY)(NYSE:RY) and another two market leaders deserve to be on your radar.

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The Motley Fool
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2 Dividend Growth Stocks to Buy and Never Sell

| Haris Anwar

Bank of Montreal (TSX:BMO)(NYSE:BMO) and Enbridge Inc.(TSX:ENB)(NYSE:ENB) are two dividend-growth stocks that could multiply your retirement wealth.

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Dividend Stocks

Retirement Planners: Is Toronto-Dominion Bank a Top Stock to Create TFSA Wealth?

| Andrew Walker

Toronto-Dominion Bank (TSX:TD) (NYSE:TD) has generated some impressive returns for buy-and-hold investors. Is this the time to buy?

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When Should You Sell a Stock?

| Kay Ng

When should you sell stocks, such as Kinaxis Inc. (TSX:KXS) and Katanga Mining Ltd. (TSX:KAT)?

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The Motley Fool
Energy Stocks

2 Unloved High-Growth Canadian Stocks to Buy and Hold

| Victoria Hetherington

Northland Power Inc. (TSX:NPI) and one other stock on the TSX are going unnoticed, despite having high growth potential. Are…

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2 Top Dividend Stocks You Can Safely Stash in Your TFSA

| Haris Anwar

BCE Inc. (TSX:BCE)(NYSE:BCE) and Royal Bank of Canada (TSX:RY)(NYSE:RY) are two top dividend stocks you safely include in your TFSA.

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2 Top Canadian Dividend-Growth Stocks to Build RRSP Wealth

| Andrew Walker

Here's how companies such as Fortis Inc. (TSX:FTS)(NYSE:FTS) and Canadian National Railway (TSX:CNR)(NYSE:CNI) can help you save some serious cash…

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Dividend Stocks

Toronto-Dominion Bank (TSX:TD): Is This Stock a Top Pick to Launch Your TFSA?

| Andrew Walker

Toronto-Dominion Bank (TSX:TD) (NYSE:TD) has made some long-term investors quite wealthy.

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Dividend Stocks

The Top 10 Canadian Stocks Ranked by Overall Strength

| Victoria Hetherington

Transcontinental Inc. (TSX:TCL.A) heads up a list of the 10 strongest stocks on the TSX, analyzed for income, track record,…

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Dividend Stocks

An Undervalued Banking Stock That’s About to Trade Ex-Dividend

| Victoria Hetherington

Laurentian Bank of Canada (TSX:LB) is deeply discounted and nearing its ex-dividend date. Should you buy this undervalued stock now…

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Energy Stocks

New TFSA Investors: Should Suncor Energy Inc. (TSX:SU) Be in Your Retirement Portfolio?

| Andrew Walker

Suncor Energy Inc. (TSX:SU)(NYSE:SU) might not be the first name that comes up when people search for a top TFSA…

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Dividend Stocks

1 Defensive Small-Cap Stock to Buy and Hold Forever

| Joey Frenette

Park Lawn Corp. (TSX:PLC) is a stock that's easy to overlook, but here's why investors ought to consider buying shares…

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The Motley Fool
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RRSP Investors: 2 Canadian Stocks to Hold for Decades

| Andrew Walker

Here's why Nutrien Ltd. (TSX:NTR)(NYSE:NTR) and TransCanada Corporation (TSX:TRP)(NYSE:TRP) deserve to be on your radar.

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Dividend Stocks

In Defence of Defensive Dividend Stocks

| Joey Frenette

Here's why investors should take a contrarian position in some of Canada's most battered defensive dividend stocks like Hydro One…

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Dividend Stocks

A Forever Dividend Stock That’s Ideal for TFSA Investors

| Haris Anwar

Canadian National Railway (TSX:CNR)(NYSE:CNI) is a dividend stock that perfectly fits into the family of “forever” stocks, making it a…

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