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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

Investing Articles

I’d put £55 a week into this FTSE 100 stock for £500 a year in passive income!

| James Beard

In these difficult times, I'm always looking for ways to generate additional passive income. Here's one stock that's paying a…

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Young black woman using a mobile phone in a transport facility
Investing Articles

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

| James Beard

Vodafone shares have struggled over the past five years. Our writer looks at the return he would have made from…

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Investing Articles

Polymetal shares have crashed 80% in 12 months! Is it time to bag myself a bargain?

| James Beard

Owners of Polymetal shares have seen the value of their investment crash over the past 12 months. Has the time…

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Fans of Warren Buffett taking his photo
Investing Articles

As I near 50 without enough savings, what would Warren Buffett say to 17-year-old me?

| James Beard

As he approaches his 50s with insufficient savings, our writer considers what Warren Buffett would have told him 33 years…

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Number 5 foil balloon and gold confetti on black.
Investing Articles

Cheap UK stocks! Should I buy these 5 popular AIM shares now?

| James Beard

Based on 2022 trading volumes, here are the five most popular AIM shares. Is it time to bag myself a…

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Investing Articles

Are Yü Group shares for me?

| James Beard

Yü Group shares are changing hands for more than twice their price of 12 months ago. I'm wondering whether to…

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Young Caucasian man making doubtful face at camera
Investing Articles

Amazon stock correction: a chance to get rich?

| James Beard

With the Amazon stock price halving over the past 18 months, our writer looks at the company's recent results and…

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Modern suburban family houses with car on driveway
Investing Articles

Trading update: which of these 3 builders is likely to cope better with the UK recession?

| James Beard

With the UK economy heading for recession, our writer looks at three FTSE 100 builders and asks which is likely…

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British bank notes and coins
Investing Articles

With the Lloyds share price approaching 50p, should I buy more of the stock?

| James Beard

The Lloyds share price has been rising steadily in recent weeks. James Beard considers whether this trend is likely to…

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Young black woman in a wheelchair working online from home
Investing Articles

The ASOS share price just leapt 20%! Is the stock back in fashion?

| James Beard

With the ASOS share price up 20% on Thursday, James Beard looks at the reasons behind the move and considers…

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Young Caucasian woman with pink her studying from her laptop screen
Investing Articles

How I identified this dirt-cheap FTSE 100 stock

| James Beard

Constantly on the look-out for a bargain, our writer explains how he went about identifying the cheapest stock in the…

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Happy young female stock-picker in a cafe
Investing Articles

Apple stock correction: a chance to get rich?

| James Beard

With Apple stock down 26% since the start of 2022, our writer asks whether now is the time to include…

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Jumbo jet preparing to take off on a runway at sunset
Investing Articles

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

| James Beard

Our writer looks at the performance of Rolls-Royce shares over the past five years and asks whether now is the…

Read more »

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

I’d buy 5,000 M&G shares to target £1,000 a year in passive income

| James Beard

In these difficult times, the idea of earning more passive income appeals to me. Here's what I'd buy to try…

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Electric cars charging in station
Investing Articles

30 million reasons to buy National Grid shares now!

| James Beard

With the UK economy likely to be in recession soon, our writer considers whether he should be buying National Grid…

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Stacks of coins
Investing Articles

If I had a spare £1,000 I’d buy this penny stock right now!

| James Beard

Our writer takes a look at Scancell, an AIM-listed penny stock. It might be risky, but he'd like to include…

Read more »

Close-up of British bank notes
Investing Articles

How I’d invest £10,000 in a Stocks and Shares ISA to boost my income

| James Beard

During these difficult times, our writer considers which shares he would include in his Stocks and Shares ISA to help…

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

Tesla stock correction: a chance to get rich?

| James Beard

James Beard considers whether he should take advantage of the recent collapse in the Tesla stock price to create long-term…

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2023 concept with upwards-facing arrows overlaid on a hand with one finger raised, pointing up
Investing Articles

Will this FTSE 100 stock yield 18% in 2023?

| James Beard

With a view to generating additional passive income in 2023, James Beard takes a look at the highest-yielding stock in…

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Group of friends celebrating together the end of 2022 and the new beginning in 2023.
Investing Articles

Here are 5 New Year’s resolutions to boost my Stocks and Shares ISA in 2023

| James Beard

Our writer's Stocks and Shares ISA has fared badly during 2022 but he has come up with some New Year's…

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2023 concept with a lightbulb replacing the zero
Investing Articles

How high can the FTSE 100 go in 2023?

| James Beard

The FTSE 100 will end the year largely unchanged from 12 months ago. Will 2023 be a better year for…

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

A tale of 2 FTSE 100 companies’ balance sheets

| James Beard

Our writer is always on the lookout for new investment opportunities. What can he learn from the balance sheets of…

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Surprised Black girl holding teddy bear toy on Christmas
Investing Articles

Should this FTSE 250 stock be my Christmas Number 1?

| James Beard

Our writer considers whether he should include a FTSE 250 fund -- seeking to take advantage of the growth in…

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Investing Articles

I’ve just used a Warren Buffett method to value one of my shareholdings

| James Beard

Our writer has been taking a look at Warren Buffett's approach to valuing companies, and applies the theory to one…

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White female supervisor working at an oil rig
Investing Articles

If I’d invested £1,000 in Tullow Oil shares at the start of 2022, here’s what I’d have now

| James Beard

Our writer examines how Tullow Oil shares have performed over the past year and considers whether the time has come…

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Buffett at the BRK AGM
Investing Articles

Here’s why Warren Buffett is wrong

| James Beard

Warren Buffett can do little wrong in the eyes of many investors. But I think one of his favourite strategies…

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

Why buying Cineworld shares is not for the faint-hearted

| James Beard

Cineworld shares are the second most risky on the UK stock market. James Beard looks at risk and asks if…

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A beach at sunset where there is an inscription on the sand "Breathe Deeeply".
Investing Articles

Should I buy British American Tobacco shares?

| James Beard

With the UK economy now in recession, I'm on the lookout for defensive stocks. With this in mind, should I…

Read more »

Girl buying groceries in the supermarket with her father.
Investing Articles

When will the Ocado share price stop falling?

| James Beard

The Ocado share price has dropped sharply over the past week. Our writer investigates what's going on with the online…

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A graph made of neon tubes in a room
Investing Articles

Why I think the FTSE 100 could soar next month

| James Beard

James Beard takes a look at the historical performance of the FTSE 100 and explains why the index of the…

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Close up of two senior females hiking together
Investing Articles

Should I rush to buy Woodbois shares while they’re still under 2.5p?

| James Beard

Woodbois shares are changing hands for around half of what they were six months ago. With the company valued at…

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Young black woman using a mobile phone in a transport facility
Investing Articles

Why I’ve just bought £3,500 of BT shares

| James Beard

James Beard has recently invested £3,500 in BT shares. He explains the reasons behind his decision to buy a stake…

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Happy young female stock-picker in a cafe
Investing Articles

If I gave up coffee, here’s how much passive income I could earn next year

| James Beard

Our writer thinks he could generate hefty passive income by making one key lifestyle change and investing in high-yielding shares.

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Content white businesswoman being congratulated by colleagues at her retirement party
Investing Articles

As I’m approaching 50 with limited savings, how might Warren Buffett be able to help me?

| James Beard

Our writer is worried that he does not have sufficient savings for a comfortable retirement. Can the advice of Warren…

Read more »

Close-up of British bank notes
Investing Articles

If I’d invested £1,500 in Lloyds Bank shares 12 months ago, I’d have this much now

| James Beard

Against a backdrop of rising interest rates, James Beard considers how much £1,500 invested in Lloyds Bank shares a year…

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ESG concept of environmental, social and governance.
Investing Articles

With the Woodbois share price under 3p, would I be mad not to buy?

| James Beard

The Woodbois share price has fallen by a third since the start of 2022. James Beard asks whether now is…

Read more »

White female supervisor working at an oil rig
Investing Articles

After this FTSE 100 giant’s Q3 results, should I invest?

| James Beard

BP has just released its results for the third quarter of 2022. Our writer takes a look, and considers whether…

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Stack of one pound coins falling over
Investing Articles

If I’d invested £600 in Greatland Gold shares 2 years ago, here’s how much I’d have now

| James Beard

Our writer looks at the performance of Greatland Gold shares since October 2020, and examines how much £600 invested at…

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many happy international football fans watching tv
Investing Articles

Should I bet on the Flutter Entertainment share price going up?

| James Beard

With the gambling and gaming markets growing, James Beard considers whether the Flutter Entertainment share price is odds-on to rise.

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Abstract 3d arrows with rocket
Investing Articles

With the BAE Systems share price up nearly 50% in 2022, have I left it too late to invest?

| James Beard

Our writer looks at why the BAE Systems share price has increased by almost 50% since the start of January,…

Read more »