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James Beard

After studying Business Economics at the University of Leicester, James completed a Master's degree in Development Economics. He then joined an accountancy firm in London and went on to qualify as a chartered accountant. James finished his career in practice as a Senior Assurance Manager at PricewaterhouseCoopers in the Middle East. He has since held various senior finance positions - mainly in SMEs but also in an AIM-listed company - in the energy, engineering and manufacturing sectors, both in the UK and Ireland. He is now a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) and joined The Motley Fool in September 2023. James invests primarily in UK stocks through his Stocks and Shares ISA and Self-Invested Personal Pension Plan. He enjoys using his accountancy training to review annual reports and earnings releases in an attempt to identify potentially undervalued companies. He also likes dividend stocks and follows the tried and tested approach of reinvesting all of the income he earns buying more shares. His favourite investment quote comes from Warren Buffett. He once said: “Should you find yourself in a chronically leaking boat, energy devoted to changing vessels is likely to be more productive than energy devoted to patching leaks."

Recent Articles

UK coloured flags waving above large crowd on a stadium sport match.
Investing Articles

Down 89% in 5 years, is it time for me to check out the boohoo share price?

| James Beard

While watching the darts final last week, our writer’s mind started to wander and his thoughts turned to the boohoo…

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Businessman hand flipping wooden block cube from 2024 to 2025 on coins
Investing Articles

Helium One’s a penny share I wouldn’t want to touch with a bargepole in 2025!

| James Beard

Despite successfully flowing gas in Tanzania, our writer explains why Helium One’s a penny share he doesn’t want to buy.

Read more »

Iberian plane on runway
Investing Articles

The FTSE 100’s top performer in 2024 still looks 30% undervalued to me!

| James Beard

Our writer finds many reasons to buy shares in International Consolidated Airlines (IAG), the FTSE 100 aviation group. But there…

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many happy international football fans watching tv
Investing Articles

This FTSE 250 stock offers no passive income but looks 42% undervalued to me!

| James Beard

Our writer has found one stock that he thinks could take off in 2025, even though it doesn’t offer the…

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National Grid engineers at a substation
Investing Articles

Here’s the dividend forecast for National Grid shares through to 2027

| James Beard

After a volatile 12 months, National Grid shares are expected to provide a dividend yield of 4.8% for the company’s…

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Modern suburban family houses with car on driveway
Investing Articles

With a 5.1% yield and huge growth potential, is this the best FTSE 100 stock out there?

| James Beard

It’s rare to come across a high-yielding FTSE 100 stock that also has excellent growth prospects. Has our writer managed…

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British pound data
Investing Articles

Warren Buffett’s indicator is flashing red for US shares. Could UK stocks benefit in 2025?

| James Beard

Our writer looks at a valuation tool devised by Warren Buffett and asks whether it could be good news for…

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Investing Articles

Could this be the FTSE 100’s best bargain for 2025?

| James Beard

The FTSE 100 is full of cheap stocks but there’s one in particular that our writer believes has the potential…

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Businessman hand flipping wooden block cube from 2024 to 2025 on coins
Investing Articles

Is Helium One an amazing penny stock bargain for 2025?

| James Beard

Our writer considers whether to invest in a penny stock that’s recently discovered gas and is now seeking to commercialise…

Read more »

Businessman using pen drawing line for increasing arrow from 2024 to 2025
Investing Articles

Here’s why I’m expecting big things from my Stocks and Shares ISA in 2025!

| James Beard

Our writer explains why he believes his Stocks and Shares ISA is well positioned to deliver strong growth over the…

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Person holding magnifying glass over important document, reading the small print
Investing Articles

What has to happen for the Vodafone share price to hit £1?

| James Beard

Continuing to be frustrated by the Vodafone share price, our writer considers what the company has to do for the…

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Middle-aged white man pulling an aggrieved face while looking at a screen
Investing Articles

Since December 2023, this FTSE 100 stock’s fallen 32%. Is it now too cheap to overlook?

| James Beard

Our writer explains why he believes this FTSE 100 stock offers tremendous value for money. And considers whether he should…

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Runner standing at the starting point with 2025 year for starting in new year 2025 to achieve business planing and success concept.
Investing Articles

4 reasons why I think UK shares will soar in 2025!

| James Beard

As 2024 draws to a close, our writer explains why he’s optimistic that UK shares, including the FTSE 100, will…

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Surprised Black girl holding teddy bear toy on Christmas
Investing Articles

I think Legal & General shares are great for passive income. That’s why they’re on my Santa list!

| James Beard

Our writer’s identified a blue-chip dividend share that he believes has the potential to generate generous levels of passive income…

Read more »

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

This FTSE 100 stock’s down 21% since I bought! Have I made a BIG mistake?

| James Beard

FTSE 100 stocks are supposed to be less volatile. But our writer recently purchased one that’s making him question this…

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Landlady greets regular at real ale pub
Investing Articles

Warren Buffett owns this FTSE 100 stock. But should I?

| James Beard

Warren Buffett rarely invests in FTSE 100 shares but he does have a position in Diageo. Is it time for…

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Finger pressing a car ignition button with the text 2025 start.
Investing Articles

7 reasons why I won’t touch this FTSE 250 legend with a bargepole!

| James Beard

Our writer’s been looking at the history of Aston Martin, the iconic FTSE 250 car maker, and explains why he's…

Read more »

Burst your bubble thumbtack and balloon background
Investing Articles

Should I buy Helium One, possibly the FTSE’s ‘most popular’ share?

| James Beard

After doing some number crunching, our writer’s identified what he believes to be one of the FTSE’s most favoured stocks.…

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Emma Raducanu for Vodafone billboard animation at Piccadilly Circus, London
Investing Articles

With a 10.4% yield, P/E ratio of 9.9, and a P/B of 0.37, is this FTSE 100 stock a no-brainer buy for me?

| James Beard

Using a range of popular valuation measures, this FTSE 100 stock appears to offer tremendous value for money. So is…

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Three signposts pointing in different directions, with 'Buy' 'Sell' and 'Hold' on
Investing Articles

Down nearly 18% from its 52-week high, is the Lloyds share price now a screaming buy for me?

| James Beard

In recent weeks, the Lloyds share price has under-performed the wider market. Could this be the buying opportunity that I’m…

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Burst your bubble thumbtack and balloon background
Investing Articles

Why are investors blowing a raspberry at this FTSE 250 stock?

| James Beard

After a successful IPO, the share price of this FTSE 250 stock's fallen. Our writer looks at the reasons and…

Read more »

Handsome young non-binary androgynous guy, wearing make up, chatting on his smartphone, carrying shopping bags.
Investing Articles

Here’s 1 cheap UK share I wouldn’t touch with a bargepole!

| James Beard

Despite attracting the attention of two major investors and trading at a discount to its book value, our writer doesn’t…

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Illustration of flames over a black background
Investing Articles

Could this FTSE 250 stock be the next Rolls-Royce?

| James Beard

With an ongoing probe into the motor finance industry, the share price of this member of the FTSE 250 has…

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Passive income text with pin graph chart on business table
Investing Articles

4,123 shares of this UK dividend stock could get me £206 a month in passive income

| James Beard

Despite cutting its dividend significantly over the past five years, I think this FTSE 100 stock could be a good…

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Hand of person putting wood cube block with word VALUE on wooden table
Investing Articles

14.5bn reasons why I think the Legal & General share price is at least 11% undervalued

| James Beard

According to our writer, the Legal & General share price doesn’t appear to reflect the underlying profitability of the business. 

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Rolls-Royce's Pearl 10X engine series
Investing Articles

Where might the Rolls-Royce share price be in 12 months? Here’s what the experts say

| James Beard

The Rolls-Royce share price has more than doubled since November 2023. But analysts have a wide range of opinions as…

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Workers at Whiting refinery, US
Investing Articles

Does the Shell or BP share price currently offer the best value?

| James Beard

With the demand for oil and gas still rising, our writer looks at the share prices of Shell and BP…

Read more »

Young female hand showing five fingers.
Investing Articles

If I’d put £10,000 into the FTSE 250 5 years ago, here’s how much I’d have now!

| James Beard

The FTSE 250 hasn’t done well over the past five years. But by being selective about which of its stocks…

Read more »

Hand of person putting wood cube block with word VALUE on wooden table
Investing Articles

After falling 87% in 45 months, could Dr Martens be a winning value stock?

| James Beard

Ahead of its half-year results due to be released later this month, our writer considers whether this FTSE 250 icon…

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Cargo containers with European Union and British flags reflecting Brexit and restrictions in export and import
Investing Articles

Is it time to look again at UK shares?

| James Beard

Our writer explains why October’s Budget has led him to question his commitment to some UK shares. But what should…

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UK financial background: share prices and stock graph overlaid on an image of the Union Jack
Investing Articles

Could Trump 2.0 be good for FTSE 250 stocks?

| James Beard

Donald Trump’s just been elected President of the United States for a second time. Our writer considers whether this could…

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A pastel colored growing graph with rising rocket.
Investing Articles

2 FTSE stocks that demonstrate the best (and worst) of the AIM market

| James Beard

Our writer looks at the performance of two very different FTSE stocks that highlights the pros and cons of investing…

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Passive income text with pin graph chart on business table
Investing Articles

Could putting £20,000 into FTSE 100 stocks get me monthly passive income of £2,756?

| James Beard

The FTSE 100 is full of dividend shares offering generous returns. Our writer considers how much income he could generate…

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A handsome mature bald bearded black man in a sunglasses and a fashionable blue or teal costume with a tie is standing in front of a wall made of striped wooden timbers and fastening a suit button
Investing Articles

The Burberry share price rises on takeover rumours. But I still don’t want to buy

| James Beard

Speculation about a possible takeover sent the Burberry share price higher. However, our writer’s steering clear of the luxury fashion…

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Illustration of flames over a black background
Investing Articles

Could the stock market crash in 2024? Here’s what I’m doing!

| James Beard

Some are predicting a global stock market crash led by US equities. Our writer gives his verdict and explains his…

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ISA Individual Savings Account
Investing Articles

With a 6.6% yield, is now the right time to add this income stock to my ISA?

| James Beard

Our writer’s looking to boost his Stocks and Shares ISA. With this in mind, he’s debating whether to buy a…

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Emma Raducanu for Vodafone billboard animation at Piccadilly Circus, London
Investing Articles

At 72p, the Vodafone share price looks to be at least 33% undervalued to me

| James Beard

Our writer looks at a number of valuation measures to determine whether the Vodafone share price reflects the fair value…

Read more »

Rolls-Royce Hydrogen Test Rig at Loughborough University
Investing Articles

At 538p, is the Rolls-Royce share price really that expensive?

| James Beard

The Rolls-Royce share price has continued its incredible post-pandemic rally causing many to ask whether the stock’s overvalued. Our writer…

Read more »

Investing Articles

With yields over 8.8%, which of the FTSE 100’s top 5 passive income stocks do I think is the best?

| James Beard

These five passive income stocks are all yielding more than 8.8%. Our writer considers which of them (if any) would…

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Thoughtful man using his phone while riding on a train and looking through the window
Investing Articles

Down 13.7% in 7 days, what’s going on with the Lloyds share price?

| James Beard

Our writer looks at recent movements in the Lloyds share price. And asks whether now could be a good time…

Read more »