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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

'2024' art concept overlaid on a stock screener
Investing Articles

A once-in-a-decade chance to get rich from FTSE 250 stocks?

| Alan Oscroft

The FTSE 250 has had a weak spell, hit by the UK's high interest rates. But I think falling inflation…

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Storytelling image of a multiethnic senior couple in love - Elderly married couple dating outdoors, love emotions and feelings
Investing Articles

I’d invest £500 a month in FTSE 100 dividend shares to aim for a million

| Alan Oscroft

I reckon the outlook for the FTSE 100 is better now than it's been for years. It could be a…

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

I’d need this many Lloyds shares to aim for passive income of £10k a year

| Alan Oscroft

Here's how we can build a passive income to retire early by investing in big cash-rich companies that pay regular…

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White female supervisor working at an oil rig
Investing Articles

As the Gulf Keystone Petroleum (GKP) share price keeps falling, is it too cheap to ignore?

| Alan Oscroft

The Gulf Keystone Petroleum (GKP) share price has lost a massive 99% of its value since the happy days of…

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Exterior of BT Group head office - One Braham, London
Investing Articles

Can these things send the BT share price climbing again?

| Alan Oscroft

As the BT share price has fallen, I've been thinking the firm must surely cut its progressive dividend policy. I've…

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Female Doctor In White Coat Having Meeting With Woman Patient In Office
Investing Articles

As the AstraZeneca share price dips on results day, I ask if the stock is too high

| Alan Oscroft

Earnings are up in 2023, but the AstraZeneca share price just fell. Is the love affair with the Covid vaccine…

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Investing Articles

Lloyds share price: simply too cheap to ignore

| Alan Oscroft

After the Lloyds share price has fallen 27% in the past five years, I don't understand why so many investors…

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Investing Articles

Barratt Developments shares could be my next FTSE 100 buy after this big news

| Alan Oscroft

This latest news will create the FTSE's biggest housebuilder. So is it time to buy Barratt Developments shares while they're…

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Young Asian man drinking coffee at home and looking at his phone
Investing Articles

Here’s why NatWest shares could be my top FTSE 100 buy in 2024

| Alan Oscroft

Who'll be buying up cheap NatWest Group shares if they're sold off this summer? I'll be in the queue for…

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Young black colleagues high-fiving each other at work
Investing Articles

Here’s how to aim for a million from FTSE 100 shares

| Alan Oscroft

Can ordinary private investors hope to make a million by investing in the FTSE 100? If we have a long-term…

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Businesswoman calculating finances in an office
Investing Articles

Here’s how this 10% dividend star could make me £500 a month in passive income

| Alan Oscroft

I reckon this is just one cheap FTSE 100 stock among many right now. And it could help build a…

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

What next for the Taylor Wimpey share price?

| Alan Oscroft

Taylor Wimpey's share price has climbed in the past few months, and the outlook's good. So why's it still down…

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Young mixed-race woman jumping for joy in a park with confetti falling around her
Investing Articles

Shares I love: Lloyds

| Alan Oscroft

Since I first bought some, Lloyds shares have lost me money. Am I hanging on to a failed relationship when…

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Female Doctor In White Coat Having Meeting With Woman Patient In Office
Investing Articles

Is the GSK share price too low, after another strong set of results?

| Alan Oscroft

The GSK share price has had a weak five years, and strong results for 2023 make me think the market…

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Investing Articles

After these results, the Diageo share price could be set for new gains

| Alan Oscroft

The Diageo share price fall puts it on the lowest valuation it's been in the past few years. Is it…

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

On this measure, these could be the FTSE 100’s best value stocks right now

| Alan Oscroft

When it comes to picking our favourite value stocks, I say each investor should tailor it to their chosen strategy.…

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Investor looking at stock graph on a tablet with their finger hovering over the Buy button
Investing Articles

How far can the BT share price go in the next 5 years?

| Alan Oscroft

The BT share price has fallen 70% in the past 10 years, but could the next five years turn that…

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

How far can the BP share price go in the next 5 years?

| Alan Oscroft

The BP share price has proved everyone wrong in the past few years, and it's surged since the pandemic and…

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

FTSE 100 shares: the best opportunity in a decade to get rich?

| Alan Oscroft

Uncertainty can be a nightmare. But when we look for FTSE 100 shares to buy for the next decade, I…

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Close-up of British bank notes
Investing Articles

I bought Lloyds shares 10 years ago. Here’s how much passive income I’ve had

| Alan Oscroft

Looking to build some cash to fund later life? Here's how falling share prices can be a passive income investor's…

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Fans of Warren Buffett taking his photo
Investing Articles

These are my best Warren Buffett shares to consider buying in 2024

| Alan Oscroft

Warren Buffett looks for top quality companies to hold for decades, and buys big. This could be a great year…

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Businessman use electronic pen writing rising colorful graph from 2023 to 2024 year of business planning and stock investment growth concept.
Investing Articles

Is this the start of the great 2024 stock market surge?

| Alan Oscroft

It looks to me like the UK stock market could be poised for a new start in 2024, but everyone's…

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Businessman use electronic pen writing rising colorful graph from 2023 to 2024 year of business planning and stock investment growth concept.
Investing Articles

With a 10% dividend yield, should this be the first FTSE 100 stock I buy in 2024?

| Alan Oscroft

This FTSE 100 share price has fallen 25% in a year, but the dividend yield is now up in double…

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Aviva logo on glass meeting room door
Investing Articles

Where will the Aviva share price be in 5 years’ time?

| Alan Oscroft

The past five years haven't been good for the Aviva shares price. But I reckon the next five could make…

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Young female hand showing five fingers.
Investing Articles

Where will the Lloyds share price be in 5 years’ time?

| Alan Oscroft

The Lloyds share price has disappointed investors for years. But might the next five make all the difference for those…

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Businessman use electronic pen writing rising colorful graph from 2023 to 2024 year of business planning and stock investment growth concept.
Investing Articles

After a tough year, is this overlooked FTSE 250 stock set to climb?

| Alan Oscroft

This FTSE 250 share price has stayed way down, while others in the same sector have been climbing back. Is…

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A front-view shot of a multi-ethnic family with two children walking down a city street on a cold December night.
Investing Articles

Strong trading could mean good news for the Associated British Foods (ABF) share price

| Alan Oscroft

The Associated British Foods (ABF) share price has climbed in the past year. Here's why I think there could be…

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

Here are my top UK picks for my 2024 Stocks and Shares ISA

| Alan Oscroft

What should we buy for a Stocks and Shares ISA in 2024? I'd say that really should depend a lot…

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Businesswoman analyses profitability of working company with digital virtual screen
Investing Articles

Could Metro Bank be the best value stock to buy right now?

| Alan Oscroft

Is it madness to think that Metro Bank might be a good value stock for 2024 when even the big…

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Bearded man writing on notepad in front of computer
Investing Articles

With 8% dividends, these could be the FTSE 250’s best passive income stocks

| Alan Oscroft

Which are the best income stocks to buy in 2024? I'm seeing some very nice dividends from mid-cap shares right…

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British Pennies on a Pound Note
Investing Articles

Rockhopper and Empire Metals: the best UK penny stocks to buy today?

| Alan Oscroft

These popular penny stocks have seen their share prices rise in the past year. Here's why I think they could…

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Diverse group of friends cheering sport at bar together
Investing Articles

Starting with nothing, here’s how I’d aim for a £10k annual passive income

| Alan Oscroft

When's the best time to start investing for long-term passive income? Now! What's the best strategy? UK stocks and shares,…

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Investor looking at stock graph on a tablet with their finger hovering over the Buy button
Investing Articles

Forget Barclays and Lloyds shares, this could be my new top FTSE 100 stock

| Alan Oscroft

Here's why NatWest might just be beating both Barclays and Lloyds shares in the search to find my next FTSE…

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Businessman use electronic pen writing rising colorful graph from 2023 to 2024 year of business planning and stock investment growth concept.
Investing Articles

Where will the Barclays share price be in 5 years’ time?

| Alan Oscroft

The Barclays share price has had a terrible five years. And the previous five years were even worse! Things must…

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

Watches of Switzerland shares just fell 37%. Should investors buy the dip?

| Alan Oscroft

Watches of Switzerland shares have just crashed for the second time in less than a year, this time triggered by…

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Middle-aged black male working at home desk
Investing Articles

With production strong, is the BHP Group share price heading for good times?

| Alan Oscroft

The BHP Group share price has had a good few years. And the company's latest production update shows no sign…

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Investor looking at stock graph on a tablet with their finger hovering over the Buy button
Investing Articles

Up 50% in a year as revenue climbs, does the Sage share price have more to give?

| Alan Oscroft

The Sage Group share price was a runaway success in 2023. And the software tech firm has just released strong…

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Young Caucasian woman with pink her studying from her laptop screen
Investing Articles

On these results, Pearson shares could be set for a new bull run

| Alan Oscroft

It looks like 2023 was a good year for this educational publisher, with sales and profit rising. But Pearson shares…

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Young woman working at modern office. Technical price graph and indicator, red and green candlestick chart and stock trading computer screen background.
Investing Articles

Can these results give the Antofagasta share price a long-term boost?

| Alan Oscroft

Copper prices are high, and the Antofagasta share price has been erratic. With strong 2024 guidance, will the stock have…

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Close-up of British bank notes
Investing Articles

Legal & General: defensive, steady shares with long-term dividend growth

| Alan Oscroft

Do I really think something as volatile in the short term as Legal & General shares can be a steady…

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