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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

a couple embrace in front of their new home
Investing Articles

Is the Persimmon share price heading back to £30?

| James Beard

As recently as June 2021, Persimmon shares were changing hands for £30. Our writer considers whether the stock will reach…

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Investing Articles

Down 88% in 5 years! What’s going on with the Petrofac share price?

| James Beard

Over the past five years the Petrofac share price has crashed by nearly 90%. Our writer considers whether it's time…

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Aerial view of York downtown at night
Investing Articles

If I’d bought £5,000 of Whitbread shares 5 years ago, here’s how much I’d have now!

| James Beard

Whitbread shares have fallen by 12% since April 2018. But the owner of the Premier Inn hotel chain has ambitious…

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British flag, Big Ben, Houses of Parliament and British flag composition
Investing Articles

Why I think it’s time to embrace one of the most unpopular stocks in the FTSE 100!

| James Beard

Frasers Group is one of the least popular stocks in the FTSE 100 (INDEXFTSE: UKX). But our writer thinks it's…

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Engineer Project Manager Talks With Scientist working on Computer
Investing Articles

The ASML share price is up 50% in 6 months! Have I left it too late to invest?

| James Beard

The ASML share price keeps on rising. But have I missed my chance to benefit from the growth in the…

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Mature black couple enjoying shopping together in UK high street
Investing Articles

Why I ignored my principles and bought this FTSE 100 stock

| James Beard

Our writer explains why he recently ignored some of his core investment principles and bought one of the smaller FTSE…

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

Are Scottish Mortgage shares now in bargain territory?

| James Beard

With Scottish Mortgage shares down 55% from their all-time high in June 2021, our writer asks whether now's the time…

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A senior group of friends enjoying rowing on the River Derwent
Investing Articles

How I’d invest in my ISA to earn £1,440 a year in passive income!

| James Beard

Seeking opportunities to generate additional passive income, our writer considers two British stocks with above-average yields.

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Close-up of British bank notes
Investing Articles

Buyer beware: why I’m wary of putting high-yielding dividend stocks in my ISA

| James Beard

I'm always looking for dividend stocks to include in my portfolio. But I always proceed with caution when I see…

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Young Woman Drives Car With Dog in Back Seat
Investing Articles

Tesla stock is down 15% in 6 months. Will price cuts reverse this trend?

| James Beard

With a view to buying Tesla stock, our writer assesses how the recently announced price cuts will impact on the…

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Road trip. Father and son travelling together by car
Investing Articles

Could these 2 high-yielding shares give me a second income of £157 a month?

| James Beard

Our writer considers whether it's possible to use his Stocks and Shares ISA allowance to generate a second income adding…

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White female supervisor working at an oil rig
Investing Articles

23 reasons to buy this FTSE 100 stock?

| James Beard

The 23 member of OPEC+ decided to cut oil production this week. Our writer looks at one FTSE 100 stock…

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Businesswoman calculating finances in an office
Investing Articles

Will going nuclear make the Rolls-Royce share price rocket?

| James Beard

It may take some time, but our writer believes the Rolls-Royce share price will benefit from the company's move into…

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Young Asian man shopping in a supermarket
Investing Articles

Is inflation good for these 2 FTSE 100 stocks?

| James Beard

It's widely believed that inflation is bad for the economy. But our writer thinks these two FTSE 100 stocks will…

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Rainbow foil balloon of the number two on pink background
Investing Articles

Why I think these downtrodden income stocks will recover

| James Beard

Our writer considers two income stocks that have recently had their dividends slashed. He believes the good times will return.

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Grattan Bridge in Dublin, Ireland, on the River Liffey at sunset
Investing Articles

It’s St Patrick’s Day! Which of these Irish stocks should I buy for a second income?

| James Beard

I'm looking for shares that will give me a second income. On St Patrick's Day, I've identified three stocks in…

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

Will this high-yield dividend stock run out of puff?

| James Beard

British American Tobacco is a dividend stock that is one of the highest yielding in the FTSE 100. But is…

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

Will the FTSE 100 ever hit 8,000 again?

| James Beard

The collapse of two banks in the US sent the FTSE 100 tumbling this week. Our writer wants to know…

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Young female business analyst looking at a graph chart while working from home
Investing Articles

Why I’ve just spent £2,500 on this FTSE 100 stock

| James Beard

Despite concerns about the sector, I’ve invested in one of the FTSE 100’s banking stocks. Here are the reasons behind…

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Road trip. Father and son travelling together by car
Investing Articles

Could I strike gold with these penny stocks?

| James Beard

Our writer considers the prospects for two penny stocks. They're mining companies, looking to find gold and other precious metals.

Read more »

Close up view of Electric Car charging and field background
Investing Articles

Down 30% in a week, is the Atlantic Lithium share price now a bargain?

| James Beard

The Atlantic Lithium share price crashed by more than 30% last week. Our writer wants to know whether this represents…

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One English pound placed on a graph to represent an economic down turn
Investing Articles

Why tax matters for the Harbour Energy share price

| James Beard

Tax is often ignored when analysing results. But our writer explains why he thinks it will determine the future direction…

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

With oil below $85, what’s next for the BP share price?

| James Beard

Since June last year, the price of a barrel of oil has fallen by $30. Our writer looks at recent…

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Investing Articles

Are Thungella Resources shares going to yield 45% this year?

| James Beard

Thungella Resources shares are presently yielding around 45%. Our writer wants to know whether the company's huge dividend is sustainable.

Read more »

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

I’d buy 45 shares a week of this high-yield stock for £1k a year in passive income

| James Beard

Our writer believes he's discovered an energy stock that will generate a very attractive level of passive income for many…

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Long-term vs short-term investing concept on a staircase
Investing Articles

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

| James Beard

Although investing should always be for the long term, our writer couldn't help but notice the recent surge in the…

Read more »

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

The Lloyds share price is still below 52p. Is this bargain territory?

| James Beard

Up 17% in six months, the Lloyds share price has done well lately. But it suffered during earnings season. Is…

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Young female business analyst looking at a graph chart while working from home
Investing Articles

Earnings season: what I’ve learned about the FTSE 100’s banks

| James Beard

Over the past two weeks, all of the banks in the FTSE 100 have reported their 2022 results. Which of…

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Young Caucasian woman at the street withdrawing money at the ATM
Investing Articles

Can the HSBC share price keep on rising?

| James Beard

HSBC's share price rose by 4% on Tuesday after the bank announced its 2022 results. Our writer tries to make…

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Young Caucasian man making doubtful face at camera
Investing Articles

The Eurasia Mining share price drops 80% in a year! Time to bag myself a bargain?

| James Beard

The Eurasia Mining share price is now below 4p. Does this mean the shares are a bargain, or is there…

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Aerial shot showing an aircraft shadow flying over an idyllic beach
Investing Articles

Is this my last chance to buy easyJet shares before they take off?

| James Beard

Passengers are flying again and many families are looking to book their summer holiday. Is now the time for me…

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Young Caucasian woman at the street withdrawing money at the ATM
Investing Articles

Is now the time for me to become acquainted with Standard Chartered shares?

| James Beard

Standard Chartered shares have never been on my radar. But a 35% gain in a year has encouraged me to…

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Burst your bubble thumbtack and balloon background
Investing Articles

Down 6% in a day! What’s going on with the NatWest share price?

| James Beard

The NatWest share price crashed 6% yesterday in response to the bank's 2022 results. Initially, our writer couldn't understand the…

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Hand flipping wooden cubes for change wording" Panic" to " Calm".
Investing Articles

Down 8% in a day! What’s going on with the Barclays share price?

| James Beard

The Barclays share price crashed 8% yesterday. Our writer examines the reasons behind the fall, and considers whether he should…

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Midnight is celebrated along the River Thames in London with a spectacular and colourful firework display.
Investing Articles

The FTSE 100 has just reached 8,000! When will it hit 9,000?

| James Beard

Yesterday, for the first time, the FTSE 100 broke through the 8,000 barrier. Here's why I think the rally still…

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Road trip. Father and son travelling together by car
Investing Articles

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

| James Beard

The return from Scottish Mortgage shares over the past 10 years is an excellent example of why I should focus…

Read more »

Happy couple showing relief at news
Investing Articles

Why I’m still in love with Persimmon shares

| James Beard

On Valentine's Day, I reflect on my relationship with Persimmon shares. Although there might be some difficult times ahead, I…

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Young Caucasian girl showing and pointing up with fingers number three against yellow background
Investing Articles

If I’d invested £5,000 in Airtel Africa shares 3 years ago, here’s how much I’d have now!

| James Beard

Our writer looks at the performance of Airtel Africa shares over the past 3 years, and examines how much a…

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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

Up 15% in a week! What’s going on with the Greatland Gold share price?

| James Beard

The Greatland Gold share price has just had its best week since June last year. Should I rush to buy…

Read more »

White female supervisor working at an oil rig
Investing Articles

Should I buy Shell shares after last week’s results?

| James Beard

Last week, the UK's largest company announced its best results for 115 years. But Shell's share price barely moved. Is…

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