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Ben McPoland

Ben is an investment writer who has contributed more than 2,000 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

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

Here’s how I’d aim to generate £10,000 of passive income from FTSE 100 stocks

| Ben McPoland

FTSE 100 stocks have been paying investors a regular income stream for decades. Here's how I'd try to emulate that…

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Man thinking about artificial intelligence investing algorithms
Investing Articles

If I’d put £5,000 in Darktrace shares at the start of 2023, here’s how much I’d have now

| Ben McPoland

Darktrace is a fast-growing UK company using artificial intelligence to provide cybersecurity solutions. Should investors buy the shares?

Read more »

Middle-aged Caucasian woman deep in thought while looking out of the window
Investing Articles

3 FTSE 100 stocks I wish I’d bought during the 2020 stock market crash!

| Ben McPoland

The stock market crashed in 2020 as the pandemic unfolded. But many Footsie shares have since rebounded very strongly. Here's…

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Solar panels fields on the green hills
Investing Articles

I’d buy 13,366 shares of this FTSE 250 dividend stock for £1,000 a year in passive income

| Ben McPoland

This FTSE 250 stock seems to have been forgotten despite specialising in an industry that is poised for major growth…

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Sunrise over Earth
Investing Articles

Should I buy Virgin Galactic stock as it rockets above $5?

| Ben McPoland

Virgin Galactic (NYSE:SPCE) stock is up 40% in pre-market trading in New York. Is now the time to invest in…

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British union jack flag and Parliament house at city of Westminster in the background
Investing Articles

New potential FTSE 100 share listing scrapped! But does it really matter?

| Ben McPoland

WE Soda has scrapped its plans for an IPO, depriving London of a possible new FTSE 100 share. Here's why…

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Two white male workmen working on site at an oil rig
Investing Articles

Should I buy Shell stock after its 15% dividend boost?

| Ben McPoland

Our writer considers whether investors should consider buying Shell stock after the oil giant's latest dividend raise and buyback announcement.

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Young brown woman delighted with what she sees on her screen
Investing Articles

Here’s why the Games Workshop share price jumped above £100 today

| Ben McPoland

The Games Workshop (LSE:GAW) share price is rising after the figurine maker updated the market this morning. But is there…

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

Down 59%! Should investors buy Fevertree shares today?

| Ben McPoland

Fevertree shares have been on a downward trajectory over the last few years. Could now be a good time for…

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Silhouette of a bull standing on top of a landscape with the sun setting behind it
Investing Articles

The S&P 500 has entered a new bull market. Is the FTSE 100 next?

| Ben McPoland

The S&P 500 crossed over into a bull market last week. What's the likelihood of that happening to the FTSE…

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View of Tower Bridge in Autumn
Investing Articles

If I invest £10,000 in a FTSE 100 Index ETF, how much passive income would I receive?

| Ben McPoland

Ben McPoland looks at how much passive income investors could expect to receive from a £10k investment in the UK's…

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Portrait of elderly man wearing white denim shirt and glasses looking up with hand on chin. Thoughtful senior entrepreneur, studio shot against grey background.
Investing Articles

Should investors buy this FTSE 100 stock near 52-week lows?

| Ben McPoland

This FTSE 100 stock has lost more than half its value in one year. Is now an opportunistic time to…

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Tanker coming in to dock in calm waters and a clear sunset
Investing Articles

3 penny stocks paying rising passive income!

| Ben McPoland

Not all penny stocks are risky biotechs or junior gold miners. Some have profits and pay out dividends. Here are…

Read more »

Close-up of British bank notes
Investing Articles

No passive income at 35? I’d follow Warren Buffett and aim for decades of dividends

| Ben McPoland

Warren Buffett has been investing for eight decades. Yet it's never too late for anyone to start building passive income…

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Diverse group of friends cheering sport at bar together
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…

Read more »

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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Young happy white woman loading groceries into the back of her car
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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Group of young friends toasting each other with beers in a pub
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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Concept of two young professional men looking at a screen in a technological data centre
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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Illustration of flames over a black background
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…

Read more »

Ice cube tray filled with ice cubes and three loose ice cubes against dark wood.
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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Renewable energies concept collage
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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The Milky Way at night, over Porthgwarra beach in Cornwall
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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Young woman holding up three fingers
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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Close-up of British bank notes
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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Smiling family of four enjoying breakfast at sunrise while camping
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…

Read more »

View of Tower Bridge in Autumn
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?

Read more »

Young black colleagues high-fiving each other at work
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…

Read more »

Mature friends at a dinner party
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…

Read more »

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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Silhouette of a bull standing on top of a landscape with the sun setting behind it
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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