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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

Hand flipping wooden cubes for change wording" Panic" to " Calm".
Investing Articles

With plenty of cheap shares out there, here’s what I’m doing with my ISA!

| James Beard

Given the current market turmoil, our writer reckons there are lots of cheap shares on offer at the moment. But…

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UK supporters with flag
Investing Articles

These FTSE 100 stocks could be the winners from Trump’s tariffs!

| James Beard

President Trump’s unpopular tariffs caused mayhem on the world’s stock markets this week. But some FTSE 100 stocks bucked this…

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

In my opinion, this FTSE growth stock looks set to soar over the next 5 years!

| James Beard

Our writer thinks this UK growth stock could benefit from the current excitement surrounding artificial intelligence applications.

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piggy bank, searching with binoculars
Investing Articles

Here are the latest Persimmon share price and dividend forecasts

| James Beard

Our writer looks at the latest forecasts for the Persimmon share price and considers what level of dividend the stock…

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

OMG DYOR but IMO this ‘cool’ FTSE 100 stock offers bangin’ VFM!

| James Beard

Despite being one of the least trendy 50-somethings around, our writer considers how Gen Z could help push this FTSE…

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Female Tesco employee holding produce crate
Investing Articles

Is the Tesco share price about to turn?

| James Beard

The Tesco share price fell last month on news that Asda was preparing for a price war. But our writer…

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

Are things about to go from bad to worse for this legendary FTSE 250 stock?

| James Beard

Aston Martin is an iconic FTSE 250 stock that’s been struggling lately. And it looks as though President Trump’s not…

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DIVIDEND YIELD text written on a notebook with chart
Investing Articles

Why are investors ignoring this FTSE 250 dividend stock with a near-10% yield?

| James Beard

Despite offering a near double-digit yield, this dividend stock appears unloved. Our writer tries to understand why it seems to…

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Burst your bubble thumbtack and balloon background
Investing Articles

What’s stopping the Helium One share price from going higher?

| James Beard

Our writer thinks the Helium One share price has reached an inflexion point and what’s likely to happen next is…

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Rolls-Royce engineer working on an engine
Investing Articles

Could the Rolls-Royce share price hit £11 within 4 years?

| James Beard

The Rolls-Royce share price rally continues. With this in mind, our writer looks at the group’s prospects over the next…

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Young female business analyst looking at a graph chart while working from home
Investing Articles

How £10,000 invested in this little-known FTSE stock could generate £34,400 of passive income a year!

| James Beard

Looking at this AIM stock’s performance over the past five years, our writer considers how a five-figure annual passive income…

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Two elderly people relaxing in the summer sunshine Box Hill near Dorking Surrey England
Investing Articles

Is the sun setting on the FTSE 250’s solar funds?

| James Beard

Over the past 12 months, the prices of these FTSE 250 renewable energy stocks have fallen 4%-10%. Our writer looks…

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Red briefcase with the words Budget HM Treasury embossed in gold
Investing Articles

The FTSE 100 winner from yesterday’s UK spring statement

| James Beard

Our writer’s been crunching the numbers to see which FTSE 100 stock was the winner from the Chancellor’s speech in…

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Man riding the bus alone
Investing Articles

Despite the takeover rumours, I don’t want anything to do with this FTSE 250 stock

| James Beard

Some big names are investing huge sums buying this FTSE 250 stock. Even so, our writer explains why he doesn’t…

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Businessman hand stacking money coins with virtual percentage icons
Investing Articles

Is Helium One a good penny stock to buy?

| James Beard

According to some data that I’ve seen, there are 448 penny stocks to choose from. But there’s one in particular…

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Solar panels fields on the green hills
Investing Articles

Is it time to forget about the Footsie and look to the FTSE 250 for dividend shares?

| James Beard

Our writer considers whether income investors should turn to the UK’s second tier of listed companies when looking for dividend…

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

Is the Vodafone share price on the turn?

| James Beard

After a long period in the doldrums, the Vodafone share price has suddenly sprung into life. But our writer’s trying…

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High flying easyJet women bring daughters to work to inspire next generation of women in STEM
Investing Articles

On dividend payment day, what next for the easyJet share price?

| James Beard

Since March 2020, the easyJet share price has fallen 4.5%. Our writer considers the airline’s income potential and its growth…

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Engineer Project Manager Talks With Scientist working on Computer
Investing Articles

Could the ‘Pepsi Paradox’ make this FTSE 100 stock a buy?

| James Beard

Scientists have a theory as to why Coca-Cola is the world’s number one soft drink. But is this good enough…

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This way, That way, The other way - pointing in different directions
Investing Articles

Is the share price slump of this FTSE 250 defence stock a warning sign for others?

| James Beard

Despite an increased focus on defence spending, the QinetiQ Group share price fell heavily on 17 March. Our writer takes…

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Girl buying groceries in the supermarket with her father.
Investing Articles

Down 12% in a week! Here’s what I’m doing about the Tesco share price

| James Beard

Following an announcement by a rival supermarket, the Tesco share price fell sharply lower. But our writer sees an opportunity.

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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

The 5 most popular FTSE 100 shares on the AJ Bell trading platform

| James Beard

Our writer’s been looking at the FTSE 100’s most bought stocks on one particular investment platform. And he’s heartened by…

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

Do real estate investment trusts (REITs) make great dividend shares?

| James Beard

Always on the hunt for interesting dividend shares, our writer takes a closer look at some of the UK’s real…

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

Could 1 ISA, £20,000, and 5 FTSE 100 stocks generate £12,517 of passive income a year?

| James Beard

The maximum amount that can be put into a Stocks and Shares ISA this year is £20,000. But how much…

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Buffett at the BRK AGM
Investing Articles

How Warren Buffett continues to make the cash register ring like church bells!

| James Beard

I've been reading Warren Buffett’s latest letter to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders. As ever, it contains some great advice.

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Investing Articles

With gold above $3,000, is it time to consider buying this FTSE miner?

| James Beard

Here’s one FTSE 100 stock that should -- in theory -- benefit from the current global uncertainty and a rising…

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

Debenhams is back! But the boohoo share price continues its downwards trend

| James Beard

The boohoo share price fell 4.6% yesterday (11 March) despite an announcement that the group’s to be re-branded as ‘Debenhams’.…

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Two employees sat at desk welcoming customer to a Tesla car showroom
Investing Articles

It’s time to get a sense of perspective about the recent Tesla stock price drop

| James Beard

Large swings in the Tesla stock price have made the headlines over the past few months. But our writer thinks…

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Young Caucasian man making doubtful face at camera
Investing Articles

The Legal & General share price reacts to the group’s 2024 results

| James Beard

The Legal & General share price didn’t move much following the announcement of the company’s latest results. Our writer takes…

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Road 2025 to 2032 new year direction concept
Investing Articles

After yesterday’s results, here’s what I’m doing with my Persimmon shares

| James Beard

Since March 2021, the value of my Persimmon shares has fallen nearly 60%. However, I remain optimistic and look forward…

Read more »

piggy bank, searching with binoculars
Investing Articles

This FTSE 100 stock looks undervalued to me. But by how much?

| James Beard

Our writer takes a look at a FTSE 100 stock that’s popular on one particular investment platform. But he reckons…

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Investing Articles

With a historically low P/E ratio of 10.9, is it time to buy this FTSE 250 stock?

| James Beard

Our writer runs his eyes over a FTSE 250 stock that sells luxury watches at premium prices. But are its…

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Yellow number one sitting on blue background
Investing Articles

In a chaotic world, could this be a perfect income stock?

| James Beard

Our writer’s struggling to find anything to dislike about this little-known energy company. Could it be an ultimate income stock…

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Road 2025 to 2032 new year direction concept
Investing Articles

Is it time to listen to the experts and consider buying this FTSE 250 growth stock?

| James Beard

Our writer thinks it’s worth taking a look at a growth stock when 17 out of 17 analysts say it’s…

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National Grid engineers at a substation
Investing Articles

How a Stocks and Shares ISA could help build long-term wealth

| James Beard

With the end of the tax year fast approaching, our writer looks at how a Stocks and Shares ISA might…

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

A P/E ratio of 4 or 23? I’m not sure what to make of this FTSE 250 stock

| James Beard

Shares in Just Group plunged today (7 March), after the FTSE 250 retirement products specialist reported its 2024 results. Our…

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Workers at Whiting refinery, US
Investing Articles

With a new strategy, could BP shares become fashionable again?

| James Beard

After a change in direction, including a roll-back on some of its green pledges, our writer considers whether the time…

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Person holding magnifying glass over important document, reading the small print
Investing Articles

The Harbour Energy share price sinks 11.5% in a day. Can it recover?

| James Beard

Despite the oil and gas giant reporting a 65% increase in 2024 revenues, the Harbour Energy share price fell sharply.…

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Percy Pig Ocado van outside distribution centre
Investing Articles

Will the Ocado share price hit £1 or £10 over the next 5 years?

| James Beard

Noting a big thumbs down to the retailer’s 2024 results, our writer considers how the Ocado share price might perform…

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Warhammer World gathering
Investing Articles

How 49 words lifted the Games Workshop share price by 8%!

| James Beard

The Games Workshop share price responded positively to today's trading update, which was notably short on detail.

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