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Ben McPoland

Ben is an investment writer who has contributed more than 1,800 articles for The Motley Fool UK. He has been managing his own ISA and SIPP portfolios for over a decade, focusing on high-quality companies benefitting from powerful growth trends. His favourite investing quote comes from Peter Lynch: “The real key to making money in stocks is not to get scared out of them.”

Recent Articles

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Investing Articles

Why has the 888 share price soared back above £1 today?

| Ben McPoland

The 888 share price has collapsed over the last 18 months. However, the shares have skyrocketed in the last couple…

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Frustrated young white male looking disconsolate while sat on his sofa holding a beer
Investing Articles

Why has the ITM Power share price crashed 75% in 2023?

| Ben McPoland

The ITM Power share price has been falling to earth this year. What's going on here and could this be…

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Middle-aged white man wearing glasses, staring into space over the top of his laptop in a coffee shop
Investing Articles

Should I buy ASOS shares after reports of a £1bn takeover bid?

| Ben McPoland

Media reports suggest that suitors have been circling the struggling online fashion retailer. Could the shares be ready to surge…

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Investing Articles

How many Tesco shares would I need to give up work and live on the passive income?

| Ben McPoland

Our writer explores how much he'd need to invest in shares of the UK's leading supermarket to live on the…

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Investing Articles

Here’s why FTSE 100 stocks might be the best passive income idea around!

| Ben McPoland

Companies in the FTSE 100 have been churning out dividends for nearly four decades now. And the index shows no…

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Young mixed-race couple sat on the beach looking out over the sea
Investing Articles

Could I become a millionaire within 20 years investing in a Stocks and Shares ISA?

| Ben McPoland

Is it possible to build a seven-figure Stocks and Shares ISA portfolio inside two decades? This writer thinks so. Here's…

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Investing Articles

If AI thrives, these FTSE 100 stocks could too

| Ben McPoland

The rise of AI threatens the status quo in many industries. But these FTSE 100 stocks could reap the benefits…

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Investing Articles

Up 77%! 1 red-hot penny stock I’d buy in June

| Ben McPoland

Shares of Billington Holdings (LSE: BILN) have been on fire over the last few months. Here's why I don't think…

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Investing Articles

2 FTSE stocks to buy in June

| Ben McPoland

Ben McPoland highlights two FTSE stocks to buy. Both are down double-digits from recent highs despite their growth prospects remaining…

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Investing Articles

I’d invest in this renewable energy stock for a £1,000 a year second income

| Ben McPoland

Investing in dividend shares can be an ideal way to generate a growing second income. Here's one green energy stock…

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Investing Articles

2 of the safest dividend stocks on Earth

| Ben McPoland

Not all dividend stocks are created equal. Some appear to be much more secure than others. Here are two I'd…

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Investing Articles

3 top investment trusts I’d buy for an ISA

| Ben McPoland

Ben McPoland highlights three different investment trusts that all have the potential to deliver outsized returns over the long term.

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Investing Articles

I’d buy 5,040 shares of this ultra-high-yield dividend stock for £1,200 a year in passive income

| Ben McPoland

This under-the-radar investment trust has a dividend yield of 9.6%. Our writer explores why it warrants a place in his…

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Investing Articles

No passive income at 40? I’d buy cheap FTSE 100 stocks for big cash dividends!

| Ben McPoland

The FTSE 100 is one of the best places on Earth to look for income stocks. Here's why I'd chose…

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Investing Articles

Is the London Stock Exchange in danger?

| Ben McPoland

There has been much doomsday talk about the demise of the London Stock Exchange. But are things really as bad…

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Abstract bull climbing indicators on stock chart
Investing Articles

Where is the next Tesla to send Scottish Mortgage shares soaring?

| Ben McPoland

Scottish Mortgage shares have been cut in half over the last 18 months. Which stocks does the trust own that…

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Tabletop model of a bear sat on desk in front of monitors showing stock charts
Investing Articles

2 penny stocks at 52-week lows!

| Ben McPoland

Buying out-of-favour shares can sometimes pay off handsomely. But are these two particular penny stocks worth adding to my portfolio?

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Investing Articles

2 incredible FTSE bargains I’d buy for a £20,000 Stocks and Shares ISA

| Ben McPoland

These two stocks are very different but both are trading at attractive valuations. Here's why I'd snap them up today…

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Investing Articles

If I invest £10,000 in Legal & General shares, how much passive income would I receive?

| Ben McPoland

This financial stock in the FTSE 100 is arguably one of the best choices for investors looking to generate passive…

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British Isles on nautical map
Investing Articles

Is Babcock International the best value stock on the FTSE 250?

| Ben McPoland

Global military spending is soaring yet shares in this UK defence company have underperformed. Is it now time for me…

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Young Black man sat in front of laptop while wearing headphones
Investing Articles

If I’d put £2,000 into Tesla and NIO stock for New Year, I’d have this much now

| Ben McPoland

NIO stock has performed poorly so far in 2023, while Tesla shares have fared much better. But are either worth…

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Lady wearing a head scarf looks over pages on company financials
Investing Articles

2 ‘new’ FTSE 100 shares I’ve added to my ISA

| Ben McPoland

These two FTSE 100 shares made it into my investment portfolio recently. Here's why I think they can outperform the…

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Tabletop model of a bear sat on desk in front of monitors showing stock charts
Investing Articles

Down 49% and 71%! 2 Nasdaq stocks to buy today

| Ben McPoland

Ben McPoland considers potential opportunities thrown up by the sell-off in growth shares. Here are two US stocks to buy…

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Investing Articles

A company insider has spent over £2m on this FTSE 250 stock!

| Ben McPoland

One renowned manager has been steadily increasing his holding in this FTSE 250 stock over the last few months. Should…

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Hand is turning a dice and changes the direction of an arrow symbolizing that the value of an ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) is going up (or vice versa)
Investing Articles

3 ETFs I’d buy for my Stocks and Shares ISA

| Ben McPoland

Low-cost funds can provide instant diversification to a Stocks and Shares ISA. Here are three I'd add to my portfolio…

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The Milky Way at night, over Porthgwarra beach in Cornwall
Investing Articles

I’d follow Warren Buffett and take advantage of the ‘eighth wonder of the world’

| Ben McPoland

Most of the wealth that Warren Buffett has amassed is due to this powerful investing force. Here's how I'd start…

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Close up of a group of friends enjoying a movie in the cinema
Investing Articles

Why the stock market will never be boring

| Ben McPoland

The stock market is a gigantic wealth-making machine if used correctly. But it's also extremely unpredictable and entertaining.

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Young mixed-race couple sat on the beach looking out over the sea
Investing Articles

How much would I need to invest in stocks to give up work and live off passive income?

| Ben McPoland

Quitting the nine-to-five grind to live off passive income from dividends sounds like the ultimate dream to many people. But…

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Frustrated young white male looking disconsolate while sat on his sofa holding a beer
Investing Articles

Why the boohoo share price is falling 10% today

| Ben McPoland

The boohoo share price has been declining for some time now. But today it's down even further. What on earth's…

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Shot of a young Black woman doing some paperwork in a modern office
Investing Articles

Should I buy Lloyds shares or avoid them like the plague?

| Ben McPoland

Lloyds shares are cheap and offer a market-beating dividend yield. But then so do many other FTSE 100 stocks. So…

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The Troat Inn on River Cherwell in Oxford. England
Investing Articles

Why I love Diageo stock

| Ben McPoland

Diageo stock is broadly flat over the last year. Yet there are many things to admire about the spirits giant…

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Investor looking at stock graph on a tablet with their finger hovering over the Buy button
Investing Articles

Why I’ve just invested £1,000 in Scottish Mortgage shares

| Ben McPoland

Scottish Mortgage (LON: SMT) shares looked cheap to me months ago. Then they kept falling. Here's why I finally said…

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Tabletop model of a bear sat on desk in front of monitors showing stock charts
Investing Articles

My ISA is ready for a stock market crash

| Ben McPoland

Our writer has been repositioning his portfolio lately in preparation for a possible stock market meltdown. Here's his thinking.

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Middle-aged white male courier delivering boxes to young black lady
Investing Articles

Should I buy or sell Shopify stock after it blasted 23% higher?

| Ben McPoland

Shopify stock exploded upwards yesterday after the e-commerce giant released its latest quarterly earnings. What caused this huge surge?

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View of Tower Bridge in Autumn
Investing Articles

2 world-class FTSE 100 shares that aren’t banks or mining stocks

| Ben McPoland

The London Stock Exchange is home to many companies with huge global operations. Here are two FTSE 100 shares that…

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Smiling family of four enjoying breakfast at sunrise while camping
Investing Articles

Monster 9.6% yield! Is this one of the best FTSE dividend stocks to buy today?

| Ben McPoland

There's a bewildering choice of quality FTSE shares offering investors a rising income. Here's why this one is catching my…

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Group of young friends toasting each other with beers in a pub
Investing Articles

Turning a £20k ISA into a passive income stream of £1,200 a year!

| Ben McPoland

Here's how I'd aim to turn the £20k ISA contribution limit into average passive income of £100 a month by…

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Chalkboard representation of risk versus reward on a pair of scales
Investing Articles

Should I buy Ocado shares at £5? Here’s what the charts say

| Ben McPoland

Ocado shares are the worst performers in the FTSE 100 over the last year. Is this unpopular stock now a…

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Frustrated young white male looking disconsolate while sat on his sofa holding a beer
Investing Articles

Down 94%! Is there any hope for penny share Superdry?

| Ben McPoland

This penny share has lost most of its value over the last few years. But could there now be hidden…

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Young woman holding up three fingers
Investing Articles

3 FTSE 100 shares I’d buy for a £20,000 Stocks and Shares ISA

| Ben McPoland

The Footsie would be my go-to index if I were starting a new Stocks and Shares ISA today. Here are…

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