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Alan Oscroft

Alan is a freelance writer who began writing for The Motley Fool in the late 1990s. He has been a private investor for more 30 years, and has explored a number of strategies, settling on high-yielding blue-chip shares.

Recent Articles

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

3 penny shares that are getting even cheaper

| Alan Oscroft

Investors often buy penny shares thinking they can't fall any lower. Here are three that did just that, but they…

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BUY AND HOLD spelled in letters on top of a pile of books. Alongside is a piggy bank in glasses. Buy and hold is a popular long term stock and shares strategy.
Investing Articles

3 reasons to buy BT shares today

| Alan Oscroft

BT shares have slumped since July, with investors disappointed by the first-quarter performance. But I think that's strengthened the buy…

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Senior couple crossing the road on a city street. They are walking with shopping bags while Christmas shopping.
Investing Articles

5 reasons to buy Tesco shares today

| Alan Oscroft

The Tesco share price has fallen as inflation soars and shoppers rein in their spending. I think that's one good…

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Photo of a man going through financial problems
Investing Articles

3 UK shares I’d buy to help cope with inflation

| Alan Oscroft

Inflation has climbed back above 10% in September. Can buying UK shares help us deal with it? I think it…

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Close-up of British bank notes
Investing Articles

Here are 10 FTSE 100 dividend shares I’d buy today

| Alan Oscroft

UK share prices have taken a hammering this year. But with forecast yields rising, dividend shares look even more attractive…

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Shot of an young Indian businesswoman sitting alone in the office at night and using a digital tablet
Investing Articles

Here’s why I’d buy FTSE 100 shares right now

| Alan Oscroft

The FTSE 100 is only just edging its way back from the past week's punishment. I see some great buys…

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Black father holding daughter in a field of cows
Investing Articles

ITM Power shares have crashed. Are they a top growth buy now?

| Alan Oscroft

ITM Power shares have fallen close to 80% over the past 12 months. With growth shares, that can often provide…

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Entrepreneur on the phone.
Investing Articles

Does the Vodafone share price fall make it a no-brainer buy now?

| Alan Oscroft

The low Vodafone share price means the dividend yield has been boosted to a massive 7.5%. That's one of the…

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Close-up of British bank notes
Investing Articles

Does the Lloyds share price falling below 40p make it a no-brainer buy?

| Alan Oscroft

The Lloyds share price is falling even further as the UK economy tanks. How low does it have to go…

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happy senior couple using a laptop in their living room to look at their financial budgets
Investing Articles

How much higher can the BP share price go?

| Alan Oscroft

After a few years in the dumps, the BP share price is climbing again. Oil prices are pushing profits up,…

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Smiling white woman holding iPhone with Airpods in ear
Investing Articles

As the BT share price slide continues, is it time to buy?

| Alan Oscroft

The BT share price has been falling, but that makes the stock's valuation look attractive, and pushes up the forecast…

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

I’d buy 850 shares of this stock, for £100 in monthly passive income

| Alan Oscroft

If I want to generate regular monthly passive income, I need to find stocks that will pay me a reliable…

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Happy parents playing with little kids riding in box
Investing Articles

Can the Persimmon share price go any lower?

| Alan Oscroft

The Persimmon share price has slumped in 2022. Mortgage costs are steadily rising. And investors increasingly fear a housing slump.

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Shot of an young Indian businesswoman sitting alone in the office at night and using a digital tablet
Investing Articles

10 shares I’d buy to start a Stocks and Shares ISA today

| Alan Oscroft

There are so many cheap-looking shares around today, we're spoiled for choice when it comes to picking Stocks and Shares…

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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

Does the Barclays share price fall make it a no-brainer buy right now?

| Alan Oscroft

Bank shares are sliding, and the Barclays share price has fallen more than most in 2022. I think it could…

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

3 FTSE 100 shares to buy with £3,000 today, to help survive 2023

| Alan Oscroft

FTSE 100 shares could be heading into 2023 surrounded by gloom. For long-term investors, that could present buying opportunities.

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Close-up of British bank notes
Investing Articles

I’m holding these 3 dividend shares to help me survive 2023

| Alan Oscroft

I like dividend shares at the best of times. And right now, I rate them as my best hope of…

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

3 reasons to buy Rolls-Royce shares today

| Alan Oscroft

Rolls-Royce shares have picked up from their low point, but they're still well down. I see three financial factors that…

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Warren Buffett at a Berkshire Hathaway AGM
Investing Articles

With no savings today, I’d use the Warren Buffett method to build wealth

| Alan Oscroft

Investing for the very long term is undoubtedly best. But even starting later in life, I'd still do my best…

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Investing Articles

Does the Scottish Mortgage share price slump make it a no-brainer buy now?

| Alan Oscroft

The Scottish Mortgage share price has plunged this year, meaning we can invest in US tech stocks for less. Is…

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Close up of two senior females hiking together
Investing Articles

Does a Woodbois share price under 5p make it a no-brainer buy now?

| Alan Oscroft

The Woodbois share price has retreated some way from its 52-week highs. It's looking like it might be a tempting…

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

If I invest £1,000 in Lloyds shares, how much could they be worth in 10 years?

| Alan Oscroft

Lloyds shares have had a disappointing 10 years, with crisis following on from crisis. But things must surely get better,…

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Investing Articles

Does the Tesco share price slump make it a no-brainer buy now?

| Alan Oscroft

The Tesco share price has remained steady after the supermarket giant released first-half results. Are we looking at a long-term…

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Stack of one pound coins falling over
Investing Articles

3 reasons UK shares could avoid a crash in October

| Alan Oscroft

The possibility of a fresh collapse of UK shares seemed very real just a few days ago, and it could…

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a couple embrace in front of their new home
Investing Articles

If I’d invested £1,000 in Persimmon shares 10 years ago, I’d have this much today

| Alan Oscroft

After this year's fall, how would an investment in Persimmon shares a decade ago have fared? A lot better than…

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

3 cheap growth shares to buy in October?

| Alan Oscroft

Stock markets have fallen, and growth shares have taken more than their fair share of pain. The risks are higher,…

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Investing Articles

3 reasons the stock market could crash in October

| Alan Oscroft

After a tough September, will the UK stock market continue to fall in October? Here are three things I think…

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Investing Articles

Is this the best time to start a Stocks and Shares ISA in years?

| Alan Oscroft

The recent mini-budget sent UK shares reeling. Here's why I think that makes it a great time to start investing…

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Investing Articles

3 cheap FTSE 100 stocks to buy in October?

| Alan Oscroft

As we enter October, I'm seeing plenty of cheap stocks to buy on the UK stock market. These three have…

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Investing Articles

3 cheap dividend shares to buy in October?

| Alan Oscroft

The falling stock market is making a lot of dividend shares look more attractive these days. But the risks are…

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A young Asian woman holding up her index finger
Investing Articles

Is this the best time to buy FTSE 100 shares ever?

| Alan Oscroft

Well, is it the best time to buy FTSE 100 shares now? Or have we missed it? Or if we…

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Investing Articles

3 penny shares to buy in October?

| Alan Oscroft

Investors who are thinking of buying penny shares in October might like to check out the month's updates from these…

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

The Cineworld share price is steady after interim results

| Alan Oscroft

There's been little movement in the Cineworld share price as an improved first half was overshadowed by bankruptcy proceedings.

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Close-up of British bank notes
Investing Articles

3 cheap income shares to buy in October?

| Alan Oscroft

Heading into October, falling prices are making a lot of income shares look increasingly attractive. Here are three with news…

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

Does the Admiral share price crash make it a no-brainer buy now?

| Alan Oscroft

The Admiral share price has fallen as part of an insurance sell-off. But when a sector is down, that can…

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

If I invest £1,000 in Rolls-Royce shares, how much could they be worth in 10 years?

| Alan Oscroft

Rolls-Royce shares have fallen to under 70p. But what might happen in 10 years, once we get past the current…

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Cheerful young businesspeople with laptop working in office
Investing Articles

The Next share price just fell 10%. Is it a no-brainer buy now?

| Alan Oscroft

The Next share price has fallen 40% over the past 12 months. First-half profits are up, but the second-half outlook…

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Stack of one pound coins falling over
Investing Articles

These 3 FTSE shares slumped as the stock market slides. Time to buy?

| Alan Oscroft

Don't you just love it when FTSE shares slide, and we get the chance to buy our favourite ones at…

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Electric cars charging in station
Investing Articles

Does the Direct Line share price slump make it a no-brainer buy now?

| Alan Oscroft

The Direct Line share price has fallen even further, as the insurance sector took a beating after last week's mini-budget.

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Affectionate Asian senior mother and daughter using smartphone together at home, smiling joyfully
Investing Articles

These 3 shares just fell hard as the FTSE 100 tumbled. Time to buy?

| Alan Oscroft

The FTSE 100 is continuing its slide, falling below 6,900 points. And it's taking some top quality companies down with…

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