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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]

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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

3 True Buy-and-Forget Stocks

| Robert Baillieul

Here's why Imperial Oil Limited (TSX:IMO)(NYSEMKT:IMO), Potash Corp/Saskatchewan (TSX:POT)(NYSE:POT), and Pembina Pipeline Corporation (TSX:PPL)(NYSE:PBA) deserve a permanent place in your…

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The Motley Fool
Energy Stocks

1 Move Every Investor Must Make in This Market

| Sandra Mergulhão

Here's why Suncor Energy Inc. (TSX:SU)(NYSE:SU) is on everyone’s “nice” list.

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The Motley Fool
Dividend Stocks

4 Dividend Stocks to Buy This Holiday Season

| Robert Baillieul

Looking for the perfect gift this year? Why not buy Emera Inc (TSX:EMA), Ciniplex Inc (TSX:CGX), Canadian Tire Corporation Limited…

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The Motley Fool
Stocks for Beginners

Get Instant Diversification With These 3 ETFs Yielding up to 5.1%

| Nelson Smith

Get secure yields with iShares S&P/TSX 60 Index Fund (TSX:XIU), Claymore S&P/TSX Canadian Preferred Share ETF (TSX:CPD), and iShares S&P…

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The Motley Fool
Stocks for Beginners

Looking for Investment Ideas? Check Your Mail

| Nelson Smith

The simple reason why investors should look at Telus Corporation (TSX:T)(NYSE:TU), Royal Bank of Canada (TSX:RY)(NYSE:RY), and Husky Energy Inc…

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The Motley Fool
Dividend Stocks

The Simple 3-Stock Retirement Portfolio for Everyone

| Benjamin Sinclair

When it comes to your retirement portfolio, it's best to keep things simple with Canadian National Railway Company (TSX:CNR)(NYSE:CNI), TransCanada…

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The Motley Fool
Stocks for Beginners

Warren Buffett Invests Like a Girl; Should You?

| Nelson Smith

Want to emulate the Oracle of Omaha? Try Royal Bank of Canada (TSX:RY)(NYSE:RY) and Shaw Communications Inc. (TSX:SJR.B)(NYSE:SJR).

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The Motley Fool
Stocks for Beginners

Invest Like Donald Trump With as Little as $1,000

| Nelson Smith

Investing like Donald Trump is easy. Just buy Dream Office REIT (TSX:D.UN) and Calloway Real Estate Investment Trust (TSX:CWT.UN).

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The Motley Fool
Stocks for Beginners

Build Your TFSA With The Bank of Nova Scotia and Shaw Communications Inc.

| Nelson Smith

Investing in The Bank of Nova Scotia (TSX:BNS)(NYSE:BNS) and Shaw Communications Inc. (TSX: SJR.B)(NYSE:SJR) over the long-term can have some…

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The Motley Fool
Stocks for Beginners

Attention, Young Investors: How $50 a Week and Bank of Montreal Can Make You a Millionaire

| Nelson Smith

Getting rich isn't so hard. Just ask long-term Bank of Montreal (TSX:BMO)(NYSE:BMO) shareholders.

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The Motley Fool
Stocks for Beginners

An Instant Portfolio for Risk-Averse Investors

| Andrew Walker

Here's why owning Telus Corporation (TSX:T)(NYSE:TU), Fortis Inc., (TSX:FTS), and Metro Inc. (TSX:MRU) will help you sleep at night.

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The Motley Fool
Dividend Stocks

7 Reasons to Invest in Dividend-Paying Enbridge Inc.

| Michael Ugulini

Energy transporter Enbridge Inc. (TSX:ENB)(NYSE:ENB) is a perfect choice for a conservative income portfolio.

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The Motley Fool
Stocks for Beginners

2 Stocks With Decades of Growth Potential for the Young Investor

| François Denault

Forget about finding the next 10-bagger. Why not invest instead in Potash Corp./Saskatchewan (TSX:POT)(NYSE:POT) and Bank of Montreal (TSX:BMO)(NYSE:BMO) for…

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The Motley Fool
Stocks for Beginners

Why Canadian Utilities Limited Is the Best Purchase a Young Investor Can Make

| Leia Klingel

Canadian Utilities Limited’s (TSX:CU) consistent performance make it the ideal purchase for young investors looking for years of profits.

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The Motley Fool
Stocks for Beginners

3 Forever Stocks for Young Investors: Canadian National Railway Company, Canadian Natural Resources Limited, and Telus Corporation

| Benjamin Sinclair

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The Motley Fool
Stocks for Beginners

The 4 Best Buy-and-Hold Stocks for Young Investors

| Robert Baillieul

Suncor Energy Inc. (TSX:SU)(NYSE:SU), RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust (TSX: REI.UN), Toronto-Dominion Bank (TSX:TD)(NYSE:TD), and Canadian National Railway Company (TSX:CNR)(NYSE:CNI)…

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Stocks for Beginners

3 Stocks for Young Professionals With $20,000 to Invest

| Andrew Walker

These three industry-leading stocks have rewarded investors for years and will continue to do so.

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The Motley Fool
Stocks for Beginners

3 Stocks for Young Investors

| Benjamin Sinclair

These are companies worth holding on to for decades.

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The Motley Fool
Stocks for Beginners

3 Stocks Young People Can Hold Until Retirement

| Benjamin Sinclair

You can count on these names not only for years, but for decades.

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The Motley Fool
Stocks for Beginners

3 Buy-and-Hold-Forever Stocks for Young Investors

| Nelson Smith

Here are three terrific stocks for young investors to buy now and hold until they're ready to retire.

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