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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

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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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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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.

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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.

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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…

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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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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…

Read more »

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…

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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…

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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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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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Stack of one pound coins falling over
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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Renewable energies concept collage
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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