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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

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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

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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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The Motley Fool
Stocks for Beginners

Beginner Investors: Here’s What a Value Trap Looks Like

| Chris MacDonald

Why Genworth MI Canada Inc. (TSX:MIC) and another company are two great examples of value traps, and how one Fool…

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Stocks for Beginners

How a DRIP Can Amplify Your Returns

| Chris MacDonald

Here's how a DRIP works, and why long-term investors can benefit so greatly from one in a company like Algonquin…

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The Motley Fool
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2 Top Income Stocks I’d Buy Today

| Joseph Solitro

Are you in search of great income stocks? If so, Medical Facilities Corp. (TSX:DR) and Enbridge Income Fund Holdings Inc.…

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Making Your 1st Stock Investment

| Ryan Goldsman

Here's how companies such as Empire Company Limited (TSX:EMP.A) and Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp. (TSX:AQN)(NYSE:AQN) can help investors make…

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Stocks for Beginners

Beginner Investors: Be Aware of Leveraged Recapitalizations

| Chris MacDonald

Why Celestica Inc.'s (TSX:CLS)(NYSE:CLS) five-year stock rally isn't all it's been made out to be.

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Stocks for Beginners

Young Investors: Should Your Investments Be Held in a TFSA or RRSP?

| Colin Beck

TFSAs and RRSPs both offer tax-free growth, but which one should millennials hold great companies such as Royal Bank of…

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The Motley Fool
Stocks for Beginners

Why Home Capital Group Inc.’s Large Cash Balance Is a Massive Liability

| Chris MacDonald

Why the $1.2 billion of cash sitting on Home Capital Group Inc.'s (TSX:HCG) balance sheet is a massive liability, symptomatic…

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Stocks for Beginners

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| Nelson Smith

Millennials, secure your retirement with smart investments in ETFs such as the iShares S&P TSX 60 Index Fund (TSX:XIU) and…

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4 Starter Stocks for Every Beginner Investor

| Colin Beck

Toronto-Dominion Bank (TSX:TD)(NYSE:TD), Fortis Inc. (TSX:FTS)(NYSE:FTS), TransCanada Corporation (TSX:TRP)(NYSE:TRP), and CCL Industries Inc. (TSX:CCL.B) are four fantastic stocks that are…

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The Motley Fool
Stocks for Beginners

Investors: Beware of the 52-Week-High Fallacy

| Chris MacDonald

Here's an overview of the 52-week-high fallacy for new investors with Canopy Growth Corp. (TSX:WEED) as an example.

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The Motley Fool
Dividend Stocks

New Investors: Should You Focus on Income or Growth?

| Kay Ng

Should you invest in Telus Corporation (TSX:T)(NYSE:TU) or a stock with higher growth if you’re relatively new to investing?

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2 Common Mistakes Young Investors Should Avoid

| Colin Beck

Learn from these common mistakes; buy and hold great companies such as Royal Bank (TSX:RY)(NYSE:RY) forever.

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Compounding Tips to Reach $200,000 or More!

| Ryan Goldsman

Shares of Royal Bank of Canada (TSX:RY)(NYSE:RY) may just be the key to unlocking your first million!

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The Motley Fool
Dividend Stocks

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| Kay Ng

Clear out the market noise and invest in simple, tried-and-true dividend stocks, such as Canadian Utilities Limited (TSX:CU).

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Dividend Stocks

New Investors: 2 Dividend-Growth Stocks to Put in Your TFSA

| Andrew Walker

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Dividend Stocks

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| Colin Beck

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Dividend Stocks

3 Great Dividend Stocks to Hold for the Next Decade (or More!)

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Simplify your portfolio with Bank of Nova Scotia (TSX:BNS)(NYSE:BNS), Brookfield Renewable Partners LP (TSX:BEP.UN)(NYSE:BEP), and one other company.

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Young Investors: 3 Tips for Beginning Your Quest to Financial Freedom

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The Motley Fool
Dividend Stocks

How to Become a Better Self-Directed Investor

| Kay Ng

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The Motley Fool
Stocks for Beginners

Home Capital Group Inc.: Just Because it’s Cheaper Doesn’t Mean it’s a Value Play

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You can't have an increased return without more risk. Buying a broken-down lemon of a vehicle for half the price…

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How to Start Investing RSP Money

| Ryan Goldsman

For new investors, shares of Jean Coutu Group PJC Inc. (TSX:PJC.A) may be just what the doctor ordered.

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Create Your Own Passive-Income Empire With These 3 Dividend Studs

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| Andrew Walker

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Stocks for Beginners

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Stocks for Beginners

2 Dividend-Growth Stocks for New Investors in 2017

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Young Investors: How to Become a TFSA Multi-Millionaire

| Joey Frenette

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New Investors: 2 Oversold Dividend Stocks for Your TFSA

| Andrew Walker

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| Nelson Smith

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Just Starting Your Portfolio? Here Are 3 Great Stocks Under $100 to Consider

| Demetris Afxentiou

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