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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

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Investing Articles

The JD Sports share price is up despite a mixed sales picture

| James Beard

After the first hour of trading today (27 August), the JD Sports share price was up around 5% following the…

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piggy bank, searching with binoculars
Investing Articles

Are the FTSE 100’s banks really cheap at the moment?

| James Beard

Our writer takes a look at the FTSE 100’s five banking stocks and considers whether the sector currently offers good…

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Storytelling image of a multiethnic senior couple in love - Elderly married couple dating outdoors, love emotions and feelings
Investing Articles

My favourite FTSE 100 share for dividends is…

| James Beard

Before identifying his number one FTSE 100 income share, our writer considers the wide variation in yields currently on offer…

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

It’s been a terrible week for the FTSE 250’s WH Smith!

| James Beard

Our writer reflects on a disastrous period for a well-known FTSE stock that’s uncovered a major accounting problem on the…

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

It’s been a great week for this FTSE 250 legend. But will it last?

| James Beard

Our writer reflects on the recent share price performance of a FTSE 250 icon that’s hit the buffers since becoming…

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Business woman creating images with artificial intelligence inside office
Investing Articles

Here’s why I think AI makes passive income more important than ever

| James Beard

Our writer explains why the rise of artificial intelligence means he’s doubling down on his efforts to earn more passive…

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

£10,000 invested in Vodafone shares in 2000 would now be worth…

| James Beard

Vodafone shares are worth a fraction of what they were when the FTSE 100 telecoms group became the UK’s largest…

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Rolls-Royce engineer working on an engine
Investing Articles

2 reasons why Rolls-Royce shares could take off!

| James Beard

Rolls-Royce shares have outperformed all others on the FTSE 100 over the past three years. Our writer remains optimistic about…

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Close-up image depicting a woman in her 70s taking British bank notes from her colourful leather wallet.
Investing Articles

£5,000 invested in Lloyds shares in August 2020 is now worth…

| James Beard

Lloyds shares have performed brilliantly since August 2020 but our writer has some concerns about the bank’s exposure to the…

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Fans of Warren Buffett taking his photo
Investing Articles

‘Asia’s Warren Buffett’ has a stake in BYD. Should I?

| James Beard

Li Lu’s approach to investing has been likened to that of Warren Buffett. They also both have a stake in…

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London offices of Standard Chartered
Investing Articles

After hitting a 52-week high, the share price of this FTSE 100 bank’s plunged 8.9%. What’s going on?

| James Beard

Our writer reflects on a particularly turbulent week for Standard Chartered, the FTSE 100 (INDEXFTSE:UKX) international banking group.

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House models and one with REIT - standing for real estate investment trust - written on it.
Investing Articles

These 2 FTSE stocks could benefit from the growth of AI and the demand for new data centres

| James Beard

Our writer’s been examining the potential impact of artificial intelligence on two FTSE stocks with exposure to the property sector.

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UK supporters with flag
Investing Articles

Where are all the UK’s AI shares?

| James Beard

Our writer’s searching for UK shares likely to benefit from cutting-edge technological developments predicted to change our lives.

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Passive and Active: text from letters of the wooden alphabet on a green chalk board
Investing Articles

How much do you need in a Stocks and Shares ISA to target £37,544 of passive income a year?

| James Beard

Our writer does some number-crunching to see how much an investor would need in an ISA to aim for a…

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Rolls-Royce engineer working on an engine
Investing Articles

Could AI lift the Rolls-Royce share price by 93% and make the group the UK’s number 1?

| James Beard

Our writer considers the long-term prospects for the Rolls-Royce share price following recent comments made by the group’s boss.

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Branch of NatWest bank
Investing Articles

After recording a 52-week high, is there any value left in the NatWest share price?

| James Beard

As the NatWest Group share price continues its impressive rally, our writer considers the bank’s prospects for the next few…

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Workers at Whiting refinery, US
Investing Articles

Where next for the BP share price?

| James Beard

Since the start of 2025, the BP share price has underwhelmed. Even so, our writer reckons the energy giant's stock…

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Artillery rocket system aimed to the sky and soldiers at sunset.
Investing Articles

This FTSE 100 stock’s forecast to outperform Rolls-Royce shares over the next 12 months

| James Beard

Analysts reckon Rolls-Royce shares are fairly priced at the moment. And there’s another FTSE 100 stock predicted to do better.

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Young Caucasian man making doubtful face at camera
Investing Articles

What should I do with my Persimmon shares after today’s earnings release?

| James Beard

Despite announcing a solid set of results, the price of Persimmon shares fell today (13 August). Our writer considers whether…

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

How will the Lloyds share price be affected by today’s Supreme Court ruling?

| James Beard

Today’s legal judgement will have implications for the Lloyds share price. But our writer thinks the bank has bigger issues…

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Investing Articles

Has the death of the FTSE 100’s tobacco stocks been greatly exaggerated?

| James Beard

Our writer reflects on another strong set of results from one of the FTSE 100’s cigarette makers and wonders if…

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Rolls-Royce Hydrogen Test Rig at Loughborough University
Investing Articles

Are Rolls-Royce shares now too expensive?

| James Beard

Rolls-Royce shares soared 8.5% yesterday (31 July) after the group published its latest results. Our writer asks if the stock…

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

With a 4.7% yield (as well as being potentially 77% undervalued) is this income stock a no-brainer buy?

| James Beard

Our writer’s found an income stock that looks to be undervalued. Surely this ideal combination makes it a Strong Buy?…

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A pastel colored growing graph with rising rocket.
Investing Articles

Directors are selling this UK growth stock. So why should anyone buy?

| James Beard

Despite this growth stock reporting record-breaking results, a number of insiders and their associates are selling. Our writer takes a…

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Young Caucasian man making doubtful face at camera
Investing Articles

The BAE Systems share price falls despite an upgrade in the defence group’s profit forecast!

| James Beard

The BAE Systems share price is down even though the company has improved its earnings outlook. Our writer considers why…

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estate agent welcoming a couple to house viewing
Investing Articles

Affordability issues in the housing market dent the Taylor Wimpey share price

| James Beard

The Taylor Wimpey share price fell sharply in early trading today (30 July) after the builder released its results for…

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

More bad news sends the Aston Martin share price into reverse

| James Beard

The Aston Martin share price fell in early trading today (30 July) after the company released its half-year results. Our…

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piggy bank, searching with binoculars
Investing Articles

Can the JD Sports share price hit £1 again?

| James Beard

The JD Sports share price was last above 100p in November 2024. Our writer considers when (or if) it might…

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

Here’s why I’m getting excited about the Vodafone share price!

| James Beard

As a long-suffering shareholder in the telecoms group, our writer explains why he’s becoming increasingly enthusiastic about the Vodafone share…

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Female Tesco employee holding produce crate
Investing Articles

Is a UK stock market correction coming?

| James Beard

Our writer’s increasingly concerned about the apparent disconnect between the performance of the UK stock market and that of the…

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ISA Individual Savings Account
Investing Articles

With a yield of up to 6%, could this bank help a Stocks and Shares ISA generate £10,000 of passive income a year?

| James Beard

A Stocks and Shares ISA is a popular way of saving for retirement. But how much would be needed to…

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

Is the fizz about to go from the Coca-Cola HBC share price?

| James Beard

The world’s most popular drink’s hitting the headlines again. Our writer considers whether there are any implications for the Coca-Cola…

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Arrow symbol glowing amid black arrow symbols on black background.
Investing Articles

Another strong set of results from this FTSE 100 telecoms company. Time to buy?

| James Beard

The FTSE 100’s Airtel Africa released its first-quarter earnings yesterday (24 July). Our writer’s been taking a closer look at…

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Branch of NatWest bank
Investing Articles

With the bank’s income, margin and earnings higher, the NatWest share price continues where it left off!

| James Beard

Post-pandemic the NatWest share price has been the third-best performer on the FTSE 100. Our writer looks at the bank’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

How much is needed in a SIPP to aim for nearly £20,000 of passive income a year?

| James Beard

Our writer explains how a Self-Invested Personal Pension (SIPP) could be used to target a five-figure income for later in…

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National Grid engineers at a substation
Investing Articles

£10,000 invested in this UK monopoly could generate a second income of £1,232 a year

| James Beard

Our writer explains how a £10,000 investment could help generate a healthy second income every year. But there are some…

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DIVIDEND YIELD text written on a notebook with chart
Investing Articles

These 2 dividend shares are yielding at least 8.4%!

| James Beard

Our writer looks at two FTSE dividend shares that are offering double-digit yields. However, there are reasons to be cautious.

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

With a yield of 11.5% — and a 39% discount — is this stock the best for passive income?

| James Beard

Always on the lookout for passive income opportunities, our writer looks at the highest-yielding stock on the FTSE 350 that…

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Yellow number one sitting on blue background
Investing Articles

The FTSE 100 has a new number 1. But is it worth buying?

| James Beard

There’s been a change at the top of the league table of the FTSE’s biggest market-caps. Our writer looks at…

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Group of young friends toasting each other with beers in a pub
Investing Articles

The JD Wetherspoon share price reacts positively to the latest trading update

| James Beard

Our writer looks at how the JD Wetherspoons share price responded to the release of its latest sales figures. And…

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