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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

Front view of aircraft in flight.
Investing Articles

Here’s the 2-year dividend forecast for IAG shares!

| James Beard

Our writer asks whether the reinstatement of the dividend could give a boost to IAG shares. But he thinks income…

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Two employees sat at desk welcoming customer to a Tesla car showroom
Investing Articles

Down 30% in three months, is now the time to buy Tesla stock?

| James Beard

The Tesla stock price is down nearly a third since the start of 2024. Our writer considers the electric car…

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Young happy white woman loading groceries into the back of her car
Investing Articles

Time to look at Britain’s grocers for some excellent dividend shares?

| James Beard

Always on the lookout for reliable dividend shares, our writer considers whether now’s the time to invest in the UK…

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A mixed ethnicity couple shopping for food in a supermarket
Investing Articles

1 ISA, £20k, and 3 stocks. Is this the perfect recipe for a second income of £1,420 a year?

| James Beard

With plenty of high-yielding FTSE 100 shares to choose from, now looks like a good time to start generating a…

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

Which will reach £1 first, the Vodafone or Lloyds share price?

| James Beard

Our writer asks whether the Vodafone and Lloyds share prices could reach 100p. And if so, which one is likely…

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a couple embrace in front of their new home
Investing Articles

Interest rate cuts should boost the Taylor Wimpey share price

| James Beard

Our writer is confident that the Taylor Wimpey share price will benefit from a lower interest rate environment. But he…

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

This FTSE insider’s buying after overseeing a 50% dividend cut

| James Beard

The CFO of a FTSE stalwart spent £1.7m on the day its dividend was slashed by 50%. Our writer applauds…

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Side of boat fuelled by gas to liquids, advertising Shell GTL Fuel
Investing Articles

Could the Shell share price lift the FTSE 100 to a new high?

| James Beard

The Footsie's close to 8,000 points again. Our writer considers whether the Shell share price will help propel the index…

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Young Black woman looking concerned while in front of her laptop
Investing Articles

After 2 decades of dividend growth, is it the end of the road for this 9.9%-yielding FTSE 100 hero?

| James Beard

For nearly a quarter of a century, there’s been one FTSE 100 stock that’s increased its dividend each year. But…

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Portrait of pensive bearded senior looking on screen of laptop sitting at table with coffee cup.
Investing Articles

If I’d invested £5,000 in Rolls-Royce shares 10 years ago, here’s how much I’d have now!

| James Beard

Our writer explains why he thinks Rolls-Royce shares are very expensive compared to 10 years ago, although other investors don’t…

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UK money in a Jar on a background
Investing Articles

The days of a 30% yield may be over, but I’d still buy this FTSE 250 share for dividend income!

| James Beard

This FTSE 250 stock has proven that high-yielding shares must be viewed with caution. But even after slashing its dividend…

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Young mixed-race woman jumping for joy in a park with confetti falling around her
Investing Articles

My target for the Vodafone share price is 100p!

| James Beard

According to my calculations, the Vodafone share price should be over 40% higher. But with a different set of assumptions…

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

How I’d aim to turn a £20,000 ISA into £96,923 with these four dividend shares

| James Beard

Our writer believes dividend shares are a great way of growing a long-term portfolio. He considers what might be possible…

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Man putting his card into an ATM machine while his son sits in a stroller beside him.
Investing Articles

My love-hate relationship with Lloyds shares

| James Beard

Despite my tumultuous relationship with the FTSE100 banking stock, Lloyds shares form an important part of my Stocks and Shares…

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Warren Buffett at a Berkshire Hathaway AGM
Investing Articles

Does Warren Buffett think I’m an economic illiterate?

| James Beard

Warren Buffett, who admittedly knows a thing or two about investing, is a big fan of share buybacks. But I…

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

£20,000 in savings? I’d try to turn that into £29,685 of passive income each year

| James Beard

It’s amazing how much passive income can be generated by taking a long-term approach to investing. This is what I’d…

Read more »

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

Is the writing on the wall for the boohoo share price?

| James Beard

French MPs want the fast fashion industry to pay for polluting the planet. Our writer considers what the consequences might…

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Man putting his card into an ATM machine while his son sits in a stroller beside him.
Investing Articles

Here are the updated 2024-26 dividend forecasts for HSBC shares

| James Beard

Following publication of the bank’s 2023 results on 21 February, our writer’s been looking at the HSBC dividend forecast for…

Read more »

Diverse group of friends cheering sport at bar together
Investing Articles

Could I generate an 8.5% yield and earn passive income in every month?

| James Beard

I think it would be great to receive a dividend cheque each month and earn passive income all year round.…

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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

The Vodafone share price is up, despite a 50% cut in dividend!

| James Beard

The Vodafone share price has responded well following news that the dividend will be cut. Our writer investigates this apparent…

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

Down 92% since IPO, what’s going on with the THG share price?

| James Beard

Since the company made its stock market debut in September 2020, the THG share price has crashed by over 90%.…

Read more »

a couple embrace in front of their new home
Investing Articles

The Persimmon share price may be down, but I’m not out!

| James Beard

The Persimmon share price didn’t respond well to the company’s 2023 results. But even though I'm a shareholder, I'm not…

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Workers at Whiting refinery, US
Investing Articles

Is the BP share price stuck at 486p?

| James Beard

After an impressive post-pandemic bull run, the BP share price has been more muted of late. Our writer’s trying to…

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Warren Buffett at a Berkshire Hathaway AGM
Investing Articles

In 83 years, could I turn $115 into $133bn, like Warren Buffett?

| James Beard

This week marks the 83rd anniversary of Warren Buffett buying his first stock. Our writer considers how difficult it would…

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Bournemouth at night with a fireworks display from the pier
Investing Articles

My top 10 cheap FTSE 100 stocks

| James Beard

I’ve been crunching some numbers to identify the 10 most undervalued FTSE 100 shares. But the key question is, are…

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Exterior of BT Group head office - One Braham, London
Investing Articles

Down 50% in 5 years, does the BT share price reflect the 2024-26 dividend forecast?

| James Beard

The BT share price has halved over the past five years. Our writer looks at the three-year dividend forecast and…

Read more »

Hydrogen testing at DLR Cologne
Investing Articles

At 388p, is the Rolls-Royce share price at the level of a meme stock?

| James Beard

It might be flippant to suggest that the Rolls-Royce share price is similar to that of a meme stock, but…

Read more »

Number three written on white chat bubble on blue background
Investing Articles

Is it time to get defensive and buy these 3 FTSE shares?

| James Beard

Our writer’s found three FTSE shares with exposure to the defence sector. But would they make a great investment in…

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Red briefcase with the words Budget HM Treasury embossed in gold
Investing Articles

The government’s selling some of its NatWest shares. Should I buy for passive income?

| James Beard

Jeremy Hunt has announced the government plans to dispose of its stake in NatWest. Could this be a great passive…

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

Here’s why I think the Vodafone share price should be 110% higher

| James Beard

Reflecting on speculation, our writer believes there’s a case to be made for the Vodafone share price being more than…

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Percy Pig Ocado van outside distribution centre
Investing Articles

2 FTSE 100 stocks. One sublime, the other ridiculous

| James Beard

Our writer doesn’t understand the appeal of Ocado. But looking at the grocer’s latest results makes him see the attraction…

Read more »

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

Down 18% in a year, what’s next for the Greatland Gold (GGP) share price?

| James Beard

The Greatland Gold share price has disappointed over the past 12 months. Our writer asks whether the company’s latest update…

Read more »

Smiling white woman holding iPhone with Airpods in ear
Investing Articles

Is it time to look again at the Apple of Warren Buffett’s eye?

| James Beard

So far I’ve resisted investing in Warren Buffett’s favourite stock. But have I left it too late to follow the…

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Abstract bull climbing indicators on stock chart
Investing Articles

Will the Lloyds share price climb above 60p before the end of 2024?

| James Beard

The Lloyds share price jumped higher after the bank released its 2023 results. Could the 60p-barrier be smashed before the…

Read more »

Two multiracial girls making heart sign against red background
Investing Articles

For me, this FTSE 250 stock is a no-brainer buy!

| James Beard

After doing some number crunching and looking at the charts, our writer is convinced that this FTSE 250 stock is…

Read more »

Close-up of a woman holding modern polymer ten, twenty and fifty pound notes.
Investing Articles

Here’s the Barclays dividend forecast through until 2026

| James Beard

Volatile earnings makes it difficult to prepare a dividend forecast for a bank. But our writer’s been looking at Barclays…

Read more »

Man putting his card into an ATM machine while his son sits in a stroller beside him.
Investing Articles

HSBC share price down despite record-breaking 2023 profits

| James Beard

The HSBC share price underwhelmed after the bank released its results for its latest financial year. Our writer looks at…

Read more »

Young Black woman looking concerned while in front of her laptop
Investing Articles

Here’s the 2024 and 2025 Vodafone dividend forecast

| James Beard

Vodafone's falling share price has put a dent in my ISA. That's why I'm taking an interest in the two-year…

Read more »

Smart young brown businesswoman working from home on a laptop
Investing Articles

What next for the Vodafone share price?

| James Beard

For the Vodafone share price to return to previous levels, I think the telecoms giant needs to solve its two…

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

Up over 700% in a month! Here’s why I’m steering clear of this penny stock

| James Beard

Our writer explains why he doesn't want to buy this penny stock, despite its recent meteoric rise. And its lack…

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