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Ben McPoland

Ben is an investment writer who has contributed more than 1,800 articles for The Motley Fool UK. He has been managing his own ISA and SIPP portfolios for over a decade, focusing on high-quality companies benefitting from powerful growth trends. His favourite investing quote comes from Peter Lynch: “The real key to making money in stocks is not to get scared out of them.”

Recent Articles

Investing Articles

Diageo shares: a once-in-a-generation chance to get rich?

| Ben McPoland

Diageo shares have shed 59% of their value in just over four years. But might this simply be a chance…

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Young female hand showing five fingers.
Investing Articles

The 5 most popular ETFs on AJ Bell to start 2026

| Ben McPoland

Our writer highlights a handful of ETFs that have been popular among UK investors recently. Will he buy any of…

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Investing Articles

Should I buy Lloyds shares above £1 for passive income?

| Ben McPoland

After a massive surge, Lloyds shares are currently trading at a 17-year high. Should I buy the FTSE 100 bank…

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Investing Articles

The 5 most popular FTSE 100 stocks on AJ Bell to begin 2026

| Ben McPoland

Wondering which FTSE 100 stock has been the most-bought among AJ Bell customers recently? Hint: it's not Rolls-Royce or Lloyds.

Read more »

Investing Articles

Here’s how a stock market crash could massively boost your passive income

| Ben McPoland

A market crash is not what any investor wants. But for dividend stock investors, it can be a lucrative chance…

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Illustration of flames over a black background
Investing Articles

Up 73% year to date, this stock in my SIPP is suddenly on fire!

| Ben McPoland

After three years of wealth-destroying losses, this S&P 500 stock's suddenly roared back into life in our writer's SIPP. What's…

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Snowing on Jubilee Gardens in London at dusk
Investing Articles

By January 2027, £1,000 invested in Greggs shares could be worth…

| Ben McPoland

Greggs' shares have lost 47% of their value inside 18 months. Where do City analysts see this FTSE 250 stock…

Read more »

photo of Union Jack flags bunting in local street party
Investing Articles

2 under-the-radar UK stocks to consider buying in February

| Ben McPoland

Looking for stocks to buy for an ISA in February? Our writer highlights a couple of potential hidden gems he…

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

Here’s how a stock market crash could help me retire years earlier

| Ben McPoland

Stock market crashes are both scary and amazing opportunities to create wealth. Which top share would I buy if there…

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Investing Articles

Should I buy Tesla stock for my ISA in 2026?

| Ben McPoland

Tesla now has robotaxis on the road and plans to pump out millions of Optimus robots in future. But does…

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Stacks of coins
Investing Articles

Up 101% already, this penny stock could gain another 23% says one broker

| Ben McPoland

Despite doubling over the past year, this penny stock is still 95% lower than it was a few years ago.…

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Businessman with tablet, waiting at the train station platform
Investing Articles

Down 37%! Is now the time to buy Netflix stock for my ISA?

| Ben McPoland

This S&P 500 blue chip has lost more than a third of its value inside seven months. Should I finally…

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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

2 top FTSE 250 trusts I’m eyeing up for my Stocks and Shares ISA

| Ben McPoland

This writer wants more global diversification in his Stocks and Shares ISA. Why does this pair of FTSE 250 investment…

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UK coloured flags waving above large crowd on a stadium sport match.
Investing Articles

Up 17% today! Is Wise still worth considering for a Stocks and Shares ISA?

| Ben McPoland

Wise put a smile on the face of anyone holding it in a Stocks and Shares ISA today. What news…

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Thoughtful man using his phone while riding on a train and looking through the window
Investing Articles

Can this unloved stock market style still make investors richer?

| Ben McPoland

Quality investing is out of fashion in the stock market today. How might investors consider profiting from this perhaps temporary…

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piggy bank, searching with binoculars
Investing Articles

Down 33%, is there a once-in-a-decade opportunity in this FTSE 100 stock?

| Ben McPoland

This FTSE 100 firm has a potentially very large commercial opportunity emerging in the next couple of years. But does…

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Night Takeoff Of The American Space Shuttle
Investing Articles

Up 23%! What on earth’s going on with the BAE Systems share price?

| Ben McPoland

Despite it only being mid-January, the BAE Systems share price has proven this writer wrong so far in 2026. Why…

Read more »

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

I sold Diageo and Greggs. Should I dump this FTSE 100 stock too?

| Ben McPoland

Find out why this writer is keeping a close eye on one top-performing FTSE 100 company inside his Stocks and…

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piggy bank, searching with binoculars
Investing Articles

If the stock market crashes in 2026, there’s 1 S&P 500 stock I’ll buy

| Ben McPoland

The S&P 500 index is home to loads of world-class businesses. So why does one healthcare robotics stock stand out…

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A young black man makes the symbol of a peace sign with two fingers
Investing Articles

2 cheap dividend shares to consider for passive income in 2026

| Ben McPoland

Looking for passive income ideas for a Stocks and Shares ISA? Our writer highlights two income opportunities from the FTSE…

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A handsome mature bald bearded black man in a sunglasses and a fashionable blue or teal costume with a tie is standing in front of a wall made of striped wooden timbers and fastening a suit button
Investing Articles

I asked ChatGPT for a FTSE stock that could help me quit the 9-to-5. It said…

| Ben McPoland

Our writer turned to AI to help him filter through all the options on the London Stock Exchange. Which FTSE…

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Black woman using smartphone at home, watching stock charts.
Investing Articles

2 top fintech stocks to consider buying for an ISA

| Ben McPoland

There are dozens of financial technology stocks to consider buying for a portfolio today. Why does this writer like these…

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A pastel colored growing graph with rising rocket.
Investing Articles

Forget Rolls-Royce shares! This UK growth stock is tipped to rise 47% by 2027

| Ben McPoland

Ben McPoland highlights a fast-growing stock that City analysts are universally bullish on. Might it be a hidden gem today…

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Investing Articles

Forget Rolls-Royce shares! This top growth stock looks more attractive in 2026

| Ben McPoland

Our writer thinks this growing sportswear disruptor could potentially deliver higher returns than Rolls-Royce shares moving forward.

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A rear view of a female in a bright yellow coat walking along the historic street known as The Shambles in York, UK which is a popular tourist destination in this Yorkshire city.
Investing Articles

How big does an ISA need to be to generate a £100k second income?

| Ben McPoland

Ben McPoland highlights how it's possible for a Stocks and Shares ISA portfolio to one day throw off life-enhancing sums…

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Caerphilly Castle, and reflection in the moat.
Investing Articles

After 100 years, is this FTSE 250 trust about to disappear?

| Ben McPoland

A century-old investment trust from the FTSE 250 index is facing a crucial vote tomorrow. What's going on -- and…

Read more »

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

Should I buy Fundsmith Equity for my Stocks and Shares ISA in 2026?

| Ben McPoland

Fundsmith has just reported its 2025 results. Is now the perfect time for me to add this giant fund to…

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Investing Articles

My ISA is ready for a stock market crash in 2026

| Ben McPoland

Has AI created a stock market bubble -- or are we still in the early innings of a fourth industrial…

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Young Asian man shopping in a supermarket
Investing Articles

Prediction: £5,000 invested in Tesco shares could be worth this much by 2027…

| Ben McPoland

Tesco shares are down 12.5% since November. After this pullback, is the FTSE 100 dividend stock worth checking out for…

Read more »

A GlaxoSmithKline scientist uses a microscope
Investing Articles

Up 9.9%! Here’s why Oxford Nanopore stock topped the FTSE 250 today

| Ben McPoland

This innovative company's stock price marched higher today in the FTSE 250 index. Might this be my first Stocks and…

Read more »

British flag, Big Ben, Houses of Parliament and British flag composition
Investing Articles

UK shares: a once-in-a-decade passive income opportunity hiding in plain sight?

| Ben McPoland

Ben McPoland think the income opportunity in UK shares remains substantial, especially when FTSE 250 and small-caps are thrown into…

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Investing Articles

£5,000 invested in Aston Martin shares at the start of 2025 is now worth…

| Ben McPoland

Our writer has been rooting for Aston Martin shares for years without investing. Is 2026 the year when he takes…

Read more »

Businessman hand stacking money coins with virtual percentage icons
Investing Articles

3 top FTSE 100 stocks taking market share

| Ben McPoland

These three FTSE 100 firms have been strengthening their competitive positions in recent years. So which of them do I…

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Workers at Whiting refinery, US
Investing Articles

5 energy shares to consider buying, according to this billionaire investor

| Ben McPoland

Searching for cheap shares to buy that pay dividends? A master investor reckons the following energy stocks are worth a…

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Man thinking about artificial intelligence investing algorithms
Investing Articles

My ISA and SIPP stocks are off to a flyer in 2026!

| Ben McPoland

This writer's portfolio's had a great start to the year but which FTSE 100 stock in his SIPP portfolio is…

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British flag, Big Ben, Houses of Parliament and British flag composition
Investing Articles

£20,000 in an ISA? Here’s how that could become £12,300 a year in passive income

| Ben McPoland

Ben McPoland sees this 6.9%-yielding FTSE 250 stock as an excellent candidate for inclusion in a passive income ISA portfolio.

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Fireworks display in the shape of willow at Newcastle, Co. Down , Northern Ireland at Halloween.
Investing Articles

£10,000 invested in Rolls-Royce shares just 1 week ago is now worth…

| Ben McPoland

Rolls-Royce shares demolished the FTSE 100 index in 2023, 2024 and 2025. Is the iconic engine maker on course to…

Read more »

Investing Articles

Down 15%, this S&P 500 stock looks like a buying opportunity to me

| Ben McPoland

Robotaxi disruption fears are keeping a lid on this top S&P 500 stock, presenting a long-term buying opportunity to consider…

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Investing Articles

Here’s the number-1 stock in my ISA and SIPP

| Ben McPoland

After some rejigging, this growth stock's now the largest holding across our writer's ISA and SIPP portfolios. What's so special…

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Three generation family are playing football together in a field. There are two boys, their father and their grandfather.
Investing Articles

Should I add Manchester United to my Stocks and Shares ISA?

| Ben McPoland

Manchester United is once again searching for a new manager. Could this create a buying opportunity for my Stocks and…

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