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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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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…

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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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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.

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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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Recent Stocks for Beginners News

Dividend Stocks

Market Crash Alert: TD Bank (TSX:TD) Stock Just Plunged 22%

| Kay Ng

This stock market crash is not over yet. So, space out your buys to ensure you have cash to put…

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Coronavirus

RRSP Stocks: 4 Great Wide-Moat TSX Names to Buy and Hold

| Victoria Hetherington

Here’s why Brookfield Renewable Partners LP (TSX:BEP.UN)(NYSE:BEP) and three other names make excellent RRSP stocks at the moment.

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Coronavirus

Dollarama (TSX:DOL) Is a Must-Buy for the Post-Pandemic Period

| Joey Frenette

Dollarama Inc. (TSX:DOL) looks well poised to outperform when the post-pandemic recession finally hits the Canadian economy.

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Stocks for Beginners

4 Top TSX Cannabis Stocks to Buy in April

| Victoria Hetherington

Investors seeking top TSX cannabis stocks should stick with bigger names with decent cash runways, such as Canopy Growth (TSX:WEED)(NYSE:CGC).

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Coronavirus

Retirement Stocks: 1 Great Name for Canadians to Buy in April

| Victoria Hetherington

Here’s why investors seeking only the best Canadian retirement stocks should take a look at the great rack record of…

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Coronavirus

2 Top TSX Stocks to Buy for a Coronavirus Recession

| Victoria Hetherington

Looking for top TSX stocks that could beat a coronavirus recession? Shopify Inc (TSX:SHOP)(NYSE:SHOP) and at least one other stock…

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Stocks for Beginners

Warren Buffett: What’s the Deal With Berkshire Hathaway’s (NYSE:BRK.B) Airline Divestments?

| Joey Frenette

Warren Buffett's latest airline share sale is confusing, but I still don't think Canadians should ditch Air Canada (TSX:AC)(TSX:AC.B).

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close-up photo of investor Warren Buffett
Dividend Stocks

Warren Buffett Advice: How to Build Great Wealth

| Kay Ng

Build great wealth by following Warren Buffett's advice in stock investing. Here are some examples with wonderful businesses and ETFs…

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Dividend Stocks

2 Top Dividend Stocks to Buy in April 2020

| Kay Ng

Looking for safe dividend income? Consider these top dividend stocks, including Toronto-Dominion Bank (TSX:TD)(NYSE:TD) stock, for April 2020 and beyond.

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Dividend Stocks

4 Great Canadian Stocks to Buy With Social Distancing Built In

| Victoria Hetherington

Great Canadian stocks like Shopify Inc. (TSX:SHOP)(NYSE:SHOP) and three others have been resilient during the market crash. Here’s why they’re…

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Stocks for Beginners

Is Bombardier (TSX:BBD.B) Stock an Upside Machine in Disguise?

| Victoria Hetherington

Bombardier, Inc. (TSX:BBD.B) is a falling knife. But has it hit the bottom, and just how much upside could it…

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Dividend Stocks

Market Crash: Bank on Safe Dividend Stocks

| Kay Ng

In a market crash, it's super helpful to buy safe dividend stocks for juicy passive income. Bank on these 5-6%…

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Stocks for Beginners

Young Investors: 2 Great Options for Junior Mining Investors

| Chris MacDonald

Young Investor Alert! See my top two junior mining picks: Barrick Gold (TSX:ABX)(NYSE:ABX) and VanEck Vectors Jr. Gold Miners ETF…

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Dividend Stocks

5 Top TSX Stocks to Invest $5,000 in This April

| Victoria Hetherington

You may have $5,000 to invest this month, or you may have $1,000. From Fortis Inc. (TSX:FTS)(NYSE:FTS) to four other…

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Dividend Stocks

How to Retire as a Passive Landlord in This Market Crash

| Kay Ng

The market crash allows investors to buy high-yield REITs at super attractive valuations. Become a passive landlord to enjoy their…

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Stocks for Beginners

Market Crash: 2 Stocks I Wouldn’t Touch With a Barge Pole

| Joey Frenette

Magna International Inc. (TSX:MG)(NYSE:MGA) and another stock that prudent investors would be wise to avoid in the face of a…

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Stocks for Beginners

A “Stay-at-Home” Stock to Buy Right Now!

| Joey Frenette

A "stay-at-home" stock can help your portfolio hold its own, as the pandemic and looming recession continue to take a…

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Coronavirus

Is a V-Shaped Recovery on the Way for Stocks?

| Joey Frenette

Should investors brace themselves for a sharp V-shaped recovery, as some pundits in the mainstream financial media are predicting will…

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Stocks for Beginners

2 Top TSX Defensive Stocks to Own in a Recession

| Robin Brown

Buy these two defensive TSX companies that are providing essentials services during the COVID-19 crisis.

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Dividend Stocks

6 Great Canadian Retirement Stocks to Buy in April

| Victoria Hetherington

If you’re buying retirement stocks, names like Fortis Inc. (TSX:FTS)(NYSE:FTS) will likely see even deeper discounts this month.

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Dividend Stocks

TFSA Stocks: 4 TSX Companies to Buy in the Market Crash

| Victoria Hetherington

TFSA stocks like Enbridge Inc. (TSX:ENB)(NYSE:ENB) fit all sorts of investment strategies right now, from value investing to contrarian buying

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Dividend Stocks

TFSA Investors: If You’ve Got $6,000, Buy This Dividend Stock Right Now

| Joey Frenette

TFSA investors should look to safe dividend stocks like Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp. (TSX:AQN)(NYSE:AQN), as market-wide uncertainties mount.

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Stocks for Beginners

Is Air Canada (TSX:AC) a Must-Buy at $15?

| Joey Frenette

Air Canada (TSX:AC)(TSX:AC.B) looks unsustainably undervalued, but does it still make sense to buy given the headwinds that will plague…

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Dividend Stocks

Market Crash: Defensive Stocks for Conservative Investors

| Kay Ng

Defensive stocks give investors a peace of mind. Here are a list of defensive dividend stocks you can consider in…

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Dividend Stocks

New TSX Investors: Now Is the Time to Buy “Forever Stocks”

| Victoria Hetherington

Stocks like Canadian National Railway (TSX:CNR)(NYSE:CNI) are a great buy for new investors seeking the best TSX names to buy…

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Dividend Stocks

Forget the Price War: 2 Great Canadian Oil Stocks to Buy in April

| Victoria Hetherington

Here’s why Enbridge Inc. (TSX:ENB)(NYSE:ENB) and one other Canadian oil stock are strong contrarian plays for the long-term value investor.

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Coronavirus

Optimize Your Investment Strategy During Market Volatility

| Robin Brown

The stock markets have crashed, but take control with a measured, rational investment strategy.

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Stocks for Beginners

Market Crash: The Best Ways to Invest $5,000

| Kay Ng

Don't know what to do with $5,000? Divide it evenly in these awesome stocks that will benefit from this market…

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Dividend Stocks

Air Canada (TSX:AC) Stock Is a Great Contrarian Buy Right Now

| Victoria Hetherington

Here’s why Air Canada (TSX:AC)(TSX:AC.B) and Enbridge Inc. (TSX:ENB)(NYSE:ENB) are two great Canadian names for contrarians to buy cheap and…

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Dividend Stocks

A Canadian REIT That Income Investors Should Buy Right Now

| Joey Frenette

SmartCentres REIT (TSX:SRU.UN) is one of many severely undervalued Canadian REITs that income investors should pounce on amid the market…

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Coronavirus

Market Crash: Dividend Kings Are Must Buys

| Joey Frenette

In a stock market crash, investors should maintain cautious optimism and opt for quality with Dividend Kings like Bank of…

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Stocks for Beginners

Warren Buffett Invests Like This as Stocks Tank!

| Joey Frenette

Instead of wasting time with predicting market bottoms, Warren Buffett makes these calculated moves when the bargains come to be…

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Stocks for Beginners

Is This the Perfect TSX Growth Stock for a 2020 Market Rally?

| Victoria Hetherington

It’s going to get worse before it gets better. But when coronavirus markets rally, Canada Goose Holdings Inc. (TSX:GOOS)(NYSE:GOOS) could…

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Stocks for Beginners

2 Defensive Stocks to Buy on the TSX in 2020

| Kay Ng

Low-risk investors should consider these defensive stocks that offer safe and growing dividends.

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Bank Stocks

This Canadian Bank Stock Is a Better Buy Than Air Canada (TSX:AC)

| Kay Ng

What risks are you taking for the reward you're getting? You can triple your money with these two stocks but…

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Coronavirus

Coronavirus Market Crash: Why You Shouldn’t Wait for “the Bottom” Before Buying Stocks

| Joey Frenette

Why trying to time the bottom is unlikely to yield adequate results for investors looking to pounce on bargains amid…

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Dividend Stocks

Dividend Safety: Which Stocks to Buy During the Coronavirus Market Crash?

| Victoria Hetherington

Canadian National Railway (TSX:CNR)(NYSE:CNI) and two other stocks are strong plays for dividend safety as the market crash continues.

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Dividend Stocks

Coronavirus Market Crash: Grow TSX Dividend Positions the Safe Way

| Victoria Hetherington

Investors are buying the coronavirus market crash with names like Fortis Inc. (TSX:FTS)(NYSE:FTS). But some investment strategies are safer than…

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Tech Stocks

Billionaires Are Still Buying Stocks: Here’s 1 Great TSX Name to Own

| Victoria Hetherington

The market crash has helped identify which stocks can survive a crisis. Here’s why future billionaires should consider Shopify Inc.…

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Dividend Stocks

TFSA Investors: 3 Stocks I’d Invest in With an Extra $6,000

| Kay Ng

It's potentially the best time to buy dividend stocks over the next few months to boost your tax-free passive-income generation!

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