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

The Motley Fool
Dividend Stocks

Using a Market Order vs. a Limit Order

| Ryan Goldsman

Investors looking beyond large-cap companies such as Royal Bank of Canada (TSX:RY)(NYSE:RY) need to understand the difference between market and…

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

A Top Canadian Dividend Stock to Start Your TFSA

| Andrew Walker

Canadian National Railway Company (TSX:CNR)(NYSE:CNI) is a proven long-time winner.

Read more »

The Motley Fool
Tech Stocks

5 Things You Should Know Before Buying a Stock

| Jason Phillips

Making an investment in the stock market and stocks such as Macdonald Dettwiler & Associates Ltd. (TSX:MDA) can be an…

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

Here’s How You Get Motley Fool Dividend Investor Canada Picks at a Discount!

| Taylor Muckerman

Since January 2017, the Motley Fool Dividend Investor Canada service has made it its mission to provide Canadian investors with…

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

Stock Newsletters: Motley Fool Stock Advisor Canada vs. Dividend Investor Canada

| Motley Fool Staff

One of the primary goals of any investor who buys stocks should be to beat the broader market's performance. But…

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

What is Motley Fool Dividend Investor Canada?

| Motley Fool Staff

Everything you want to know about Dividend Investor Canada, a stock-picking service focusing on top dividend-paying stocks from The Motley…

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

What is Motley Fool Stock Advisor Canada?

| Motley Fool Staff

Everything you want to know about Stock Advisor Canada, a stock-picking service focusing on high-potential stocks from The Motley Fool.

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

Here’s How You Get Motley Fool Stock Advisor Canada Picks at a Discount!

| Motley Fool Staff

Since 2013, the Motley Fool Stock Advisor Canada service has made it its mission to provide investors with a stream…

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

New to Investing? What Should You Invest in 1st?

| Kay Ng

Here are some simple strategies you can use for your first investments, such as investing in Altagas Ltd. (TSX:ALA) for…

Read more »

The Motley Fool
Dividend Stocks

What Should Your Retirement Portfolio Look Like?

| Kay Ng

Your retirement portfolio should support your ideal retirement. Perhaps it’ll have dividend-growth stocks such as Altagas Ltd. (TSX:ALA).

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

What Defensive Really Means to Investors

| Ryan Goldsman

I look at what a defensive stock really is; here's how shares of Toronto-Dominion Bank (TSX:TD)(NYSE:TD) fit the mould.

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

New Investors: 2 Simple Strategies to Start You Off

| Kay Ng

Investing doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Start with a proven dividend stock such as Fortis Inc. (TSX:FTS)(NYSE:FTS).

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

3 Stocks I’d Start My Portfolio With

| Demetris Afxentiou

Shopify Inc. (TSX:SHOP)(NYSE:SHOP) is one of several great companies that can provide years of growth for new investors.

Read more »

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…

Read more »

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…

Read more »

The Motley Fool
Dividend Stocks

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.…

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

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…

Read more »

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.

Read more »

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…

Read more »

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…

Read more »

Stocks for Beginners

Millennials: It’s Time to Get Serious About Investing

| Nelson Smith

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

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

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…

Read more »

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.

Read more »

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?

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

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.

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

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!

Read more »

The Motley Fool
Dividend Stocks

New Investors: 3 Reasons Why You Should Start With Dividend Investing

| Kay Ng

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

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

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

| Andrew Walker

Here's how stocks such as Fortis Inc. (TSX:FTS)(NYSE:FTS) and Enbridge Inc. (TSX:ENB)(NYSE:ENB) can help you save some serious cash for…

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

Young Investors: 3 Tips for Building Your Million-Dollar TFSA

| Colin Beck

Use these three tips, buy stock in great companies such as Royal Bank of Canada (TSX:RY)(NYSE:RY) and Manulife Financial Corp.(TSX:MFC)(NYSE:MFC),…

Read more »

The Motley Fool
Dividend Stocks

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

| Nelson Smith

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.

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

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

| Colin Beck

Follow these three tips, buy shares in companies like Royal Bank of Canada (TSX:RY)(NYSE:RY) and Fortis (TSX: FTS)(NYSE:FTS), and watch…

Read more »

The Motley Fool
Dividend Stocks

How to Become a Better Self-Directed Investor

| Kay Ng

What does it mean to be a better investor? Should you invest in Shopify Inc. (TSX:SHOP)(NYSE:SHOP) or Royal Bank of…

Read more »

The Motley Fool
Stocks for Beginners

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

| Chris MacDonald

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

Read more »

The Motley Fool
Dividend Stocks

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.

Read more »

win
Dividend Stocks

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

| Nelson Smith

Invest in great stocks such as Telus Corporation (TSX:T)(NYSE:TU), National Bank of Canada (TSX:NA), and Inter Pipeline Ltd. (TSX:IPL), and…

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

Young Investors: Why Do Dividend Stocks Belong in Your RRSP?

| Andrew Walker

Here's how owning top stocks such as Canadian National Railway Company (TSX:CNR)(NYSE:CNI) can help you save some serious cash for…

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

TFSA Investors: Dividend Stocks Can Make You Seriously Rich!

| Andrew Walker

Fortis Inc. (TSX:FTS)(NYSE:FTS) and Royal Bank of Canada (TSX:RY)(NYSE:RY) are great examples of stocks that can help you turn a…

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

Millennials: Who Said Generating Income Has to Be Boring?

| Alexander John Tun

This ain't your grandma's portfolio. Generate yield with some exciting names such as Callidus Capital Corp. (TSX:CBL).

Read more »

The Motley Fool
Stocks for Beginners

How to Use Comparable Company Analysis to Derive the Value of Any Stock

| Alexander John Tun

Here's how you can find the value of any stock, including Canopy Growth Corp. (TSX:CGC).

Read more »

The Motley Fool
Dividend Stocks

Young Investors: How Dividend-Growth Stocks Can Help You Retire in Comfort

| Andrew Walker

Here's how dividend-growth stars such as Canadian National Railway Company (TSX:CNR)(NYSE:CNI) can help you save some serious cash for retirement.

Read more »