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Cliff D'Arcy

My first loves were Maths and Physics. After studying Maths, Stats and Computer Science in the late 80s, I worked in the financial sector from 1987 to 2002. I then joined The Motley Fool's writing team in January 2003 and left in November 2005. Since then, I have been a freelance financial writer. My primary goal is to help people manage their money better by making sensible financial decisions!

Recent Articles

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Investing Articles

Which is the better buy today, Lloyds or Barclays shares?

| Cliff D'Arcy

Both Lloyds and Barclays shares have been disappointing over the past five years. But which would I buy right now…

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Investing Articles

5 reasons why I keep on buying stocks and shares

| Cliff D'Arcy

With the FTSE 100 up just 2.3% over the past five years, why on earth do I keep on buying…

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Entrepreneur on the phone.
Investing Articles

2 cheap shares to consider for big passive income

| Cliff D'Arcy

In my search for ever-larger passive income, I own shares in these two FTSE 100 firms. They offer market-beating dividend…

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Young Caucasian man making doubtful face at camera
Investing Articles

Was selling our GSK shares a big mistake?

| Cliff D'Arcy

GSK shares have had a good 12 months, easily beating the FTSE 100 index with an 18% gain. So was…

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Photo of a man going through financial problems
Investing Articles

Now IDS shares have recovered, do I dump Royal Mail?

| Cliff D'Arcy

IDS shares have been a roller-coaster ride, crashing hard due to strike action. But with Royal Mail back on track,…

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Concept of two young professional men looking at a screen in a technological data centre
Investing Articles

Unless I’m crazy, these FTSE 100 shares are a steal!

| Cliff D'Arcy

I bought these two FTSE 100 stocks for their market-beating dividend yields. But I also see both shares are strong…

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Smart young brown businesswoman working from home on a laptop
Investing Articles

2 FTSE 100 shares that pump out crazy cash!

| Cliff D'Arcy

I bought these two FTSE 100 stocks for their ability to return floods of cash to investors. One firm has…

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Young female hand showing five fingers.
Investing Articles

5 reasons I just bought BP shares

| Cliff D'Arcy

BP shares have soared since the lows of October 2020. But with the oil price racing upwards again, I couldn't…

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Investing Articles

2 shares I’ve bought for powerful passive income

| Cliff D'Arcy

During a recent buying spree, I bought 10 new UK shares -- and these two new shareholdings offer some of…

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

This is the most exciting FTSE 100 share I own!

| Cliff D'Arcy

This little-known FTSE 100 stock is up 160% over five years, making it a star performer. Incredibly, it still trades…

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

3 reasons I just bought BP shares

| Cliff D'Arcy

With the oil price leaping to $90, BP shares are on the rise once again. But we bought them in…

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Smart young brown businesswoman working from home on a laptop
Investing Articles

If I’d bought £5k of Glencore shares 5 years ago, here’s what I’d have

| Cliff D'Arcy

Glencore shares have been under pressure since they peaked in January. Yet they've been one of the FTSE 100's star…

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Smiling young man sitting in cafe and checking messages, with his laptop in front of him.
Investing Articles

2 FTSE 100 shares I bought for huge cash rewards

| Cliff D'Arcy

With bumper dividend yields of 8% and 10% a year, I just had to buy these two FTSE 100 shares.…

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Investing Articles

These 4 shares just got dumped from the FTSE 100!

| Cliff D'Arcy

From 18 September, these FTSE 100 shares will be demoted to the FTSE 250 index. They include two financial firms,…

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

I wish I’d never bought this FTSE 100 share!

| Cliff D'Arcy

I bought this FTSE 100 share last July after it plunged in 2022. Unfortunately, the share price kept on falling,…

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Warren Buffett at a Berkshire Hathaway AGM
Investing Articles

5 investing lessons from Warren Buffett as he turns 93

| Cliff D'Arcy

Investing guru Warren Buffett turned 93 this week. Here are five investing lessons from a man who has $120bn, even…

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Investing Articles

2 FTSE 100 shares I hope to keep until I die

| Cliff D'Arcy

I bought one of these FTSE 100 shares last July and added the second this month. But I regard both…

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Smiling young man sitting in cafe and checking messages, with his laptop in front of him.
Investing Articles

I hold this FTSE 100 share for fat cash dividends

| Cliff D'Arcy

This FTSE 100 share has lost 20% of its value since its March highs. But I will hold this stock…

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Playful senior couple in aprons dancing and smiling while preparing healthy dinner at home
Investing Articles

I just bought into this hedge fund on the cheap!

| Cliff D'Arcy

Usually, hedge funds are only available to the super-rich. But I bought the cheap shares of this leading asset manager…

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

2 cheap shares I just had to buy

| Cliff D'Arcy

These two cheap shares have fallen well below their 2023 highs. I just bought into these great businesses for their…

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Investing Articles

After crashing 33%, this FTSE 250 candidate looks a steal

| Cliff D'Arcy

After collapsing by a third in five weeks, this FTSE 100 share is now deep into value territory. Alas, it…

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Young woman holding up three fingers
Investing Articles

3 FTSE 250 shares I bought for a 7.1% yearly income

| Cliff D'Arcy

These three FTSE 250 firms pay cash yields of between 6% and 8% a year. I'll gladly collect this passive…

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Smiling young man sitting in cafe and checking messages, with his laptop in front of him.
Investing Articles

I own these cheap UK shares for a 9.5% passive income

| Cliff D'Arcy

In my ongoing search for passive income, I bought several new cheap shares. These six stocks now provide me with…

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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.
Dividend Shares

I keep buying FTSE 100 shares. Am I crazy?

| Cliff D'Arcy

Overall, FTSE 100 shares have been a disappointment in the past five years. But here's why I think this losing…

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Entrepreneur on the phone.
Investing Articles

3 quality dividend shares paying over 10% a year

| Cliff D'Arcy

These three FTSE 100 dividend shares offer among the highest cash yields in the London market. And their prices are…

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

3 FTSE 100 shares for delicious dividend income

| Cliff D'Arcy

These three FTSE 100 stocks have all tumbled in 2023 so far. However, I just bought all three for their…

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Smiling young man sitting in cafe and checking messages, with his laptop in front of him.
Dividend Shares

2 shares I just bought for a hefty second income

| Cliff D'Arcy

As prices dropped in August, I bought these two cheap dividend stocks. Together, they offer a second income worth a…

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Playful senior couple in aprons dancing and smiling while preparing healthy dinner at home
Investing Articles

3 ‘boring’ shares I was excited to buy!

| Cliff D'Arcy

On my list of shares to buy, these three stocks are perhaps the least thrilling. But I have high hopes…

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Man writing 'now' having crossed out 'later', 'tomorrow' and 'next week'
Investing Articles

I just bought these FTSE 100 shares for juicy income!

| Cliff D'Arcy

These FTSE 100 shares have all tumbled in the market downturn since 31 July. I've happily snapped them up for…

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Hand of person putting wood cube block with word VALUE on wooden table
Investing Articles

Value stocks are dead, right? No way, not for me!

| Cliff D'Arcy

Since 2009, value stocks have steeply underperformed growth shares. But all winning streaks must end -- and I see incredible…

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

7.8% a year in passive income from 2 FTSE 100 stocks!

| Cliff D'Arcy

These two cheap FTSE 100 shares offer an average passive income of 7.8% a year. While one dividend is risky…

Read more »

Entrepreneur on the phone.
Investing Articles

I just bought this FTSE 100 share for bumper income!

| Cliff D'Arcy

Although this FTSE 100 share has lost value over a year, I expect a much better performance to come. While…

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

5 reasons why Legal & General shares are too cheap

| Cliff D'Arcy

Legal & General shares have been declining all year. Cliff D'Arcy explains why he thinks they are still a bargain.

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Investing Articles

3 choices for a new £20,000 Stocks and Shares ISA

| Cliff D'Arcy

How would I invest £20,000 into a new Stocks and Shares ISA at the moment? I'm not exactly sure, but…

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Fans of Warren Buffett taking his photo
Investing Articles

Here’s what I’d buy with Warren Buffett’s $147bn in cash!

| Cliff D'Arcy

Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway group has amassed a cash pile of $147bn. Here's how I'd invest this colossal sum today…

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

2 FTSE 100 shares I aim to buy next week

| Cliff D'Arcy

I've been waiting ages to buy these two undervalued FTSE 100 shares. I hope to make superior returns via both…

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Playful senior couple in aprons dancing and smiling while preparing healthy dinner at home
Investing Articles

A once-in-a-decade shot to back the FTSE 100!

| Cliff D'Arcy

The FTSE 100 has underperformed other major stock indexes for many years. But I'm sure these dark days will come…

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A young woman sitting on a couch looking at a book in a quiet library space.
Investing Articles

2 dirt-cheap UK shares to buy for passive income

| Cliff D'Arcy

Seeking powerful passive income, I have tracked down two dividend darlings. One pays 10.2% a year in cash, while the…

Read more »

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

Why are my Barclays shares having a rotten year?

| Cliff D'Arcy

After a strong start to 2023, Barclays shares have been in a downturn since March. Yet the bank is boosting…

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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

Will the US stock market crash before 2024?

| Cliff D'Arcy

As US stocks continue to soar, I'm worried about the next stock market crash. Even so, I intend to keep…

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