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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

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Investing Articles

How soon can the FTSE 100 hit 10,000 points?

| Alan Oscroft

The FTSE 100 finally reached 8,000 points this week, and the pundits are wondering when 9,000 will come. I'm even…

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Investing Articles

5 discounted investment trusts to buy while they’re cheap?

| Alan Oscroft

Growth stocks have fallen, but some investment trusts have fallen further. Are they a way into some out-of-favour sectors on…

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Young Caucasian woman at the street withdrawing money at the ATM
Investing Articles

Earnings: is the NatWest share price cheap, after bumper profits?

| Alan Oscroft

Following higher profits than at any time since the banking crisis, I wonder if the NatWest share price is among…

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Investing Articles

Earnings: time to buy Centrica shares after bumper profits?

| Alan Oscroft

After a few years of falling profits, Centrica shares have been on an upwards run. That's now been cemented by…

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Young black woman walking in Central London for shopping
Investing Articles

Are boohoo shares a screaming buy right now?

| Alan Oscroft

boohoo shares have turned from booming growth to near wipeout in just two years. Might buying now be throwing good…

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Stack of British pound coins falling on list of share prices
Investing Articles

Earnings: why Hargreaves Lansdown shares are falling

| Alan Oscroft

Hargreaves Lansdown shares reached overheated valuations in the past. But after a fall, and on H1 results, they just might…

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Young Black woman using a debit card at an ATM to withdraw money
Investing Articles

Earnings: why the Barclays share price just fell 10%

| Alan Oscroft

The Barclays share price had been recovering, as the FTSE 100 keeps setting new records. But it's just suffered a…

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Petrochemical engineer working at night with digital tablet inside oil and gas refinery plant
Investing Articles

3 reasons to buy Glencore shares today

| Alan Oscroft

Glencore shares have been one of the FTSE 100's success stories over the last year. But they're still on a…

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Close-up of British bank notes
Investing Articles

3 reasons to buy Legal & General shares today

| Alan Oscroft

Here's why I think Legal & General shares could turn out to be a profitable buy for contrarian investors seeking…

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Young mixed-race couple sat on the beach looking out over the sea
Investing Articles

Earnings: here’s what’s happening to TUI shares

| Alan Oscroft

TUI shares were hammered during the pandemic. But Q1 figures show passenger numbers growing, and we could see profit this…

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Investing Articles

After climbing 50% in 6 months, are abrdn shares a buy for 2023?

| Alan Oscroft

They're gaining in 2023, but abrdn shares are still down 50% over the past five years. I think we could…

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Middle-aged black male working at home desk
Investing Articles

After renewed weakness, are Aviva shares now a no-brainer buy?

| Alan Oscroft

Aviva shares have fallen back in recent weeks, even as the FTSE 100 reaches record highs. Are we looking at…

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

The Cineworld share price jumps 20% on takeover rumours. Time to buy?

| Alan Oscroft

Is the end game finally in sight for long-suffering shareholders, after the Cineworld share price climbed in the hope of…

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Happy young plus size woman sitting at kitchen table and watching tv series on tablet computer
Investing Articles

Here’s how I’d invest £100,000 in UK shares right now

| Alan Oscroft

The FTSE 100 is rising, and the Stocks and Shares ISA deadline is approaching. Investors are liking the look of…

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

The 2023 Stocks and Shares ISA countdown is on. What should we do?

| Alan Oscroft

Many investors will have avoided a Stocks and Shares ISA during the recent traumatic years on the stock market. But…

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Diverse group of friends cheering sport at bar together
Investing Articles

If I’d invested £10,000 in Ocado shares in 2010, I’d have this much now

| Alan Oscroft

Ocado shares disappointed growth investors in the early days after flotation. But less than 13 years later, just look at…

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One English pound placed on a graph to represent an economic down turn
Investing Articles

Here’s why 2023 could be the best year ever for FTSE 100 dividend stocks

| Alan Oscroft

With payouts from dividend stocks set to rise again in 2023, this could be a great time for investors to…

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Close-up of British bank notes
Investing Articles

3 FTSE 100 stocks I bought for long-term passive income

| Alan Oscroft

The FTSE 100 might be reaching new highs. But I still see plenty of cheap shares offering good long-term passive…

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Middle-aged white man wearing glasses, staring into space over the top of his laptop in a coffee shop
Investing Articles

Earnings: why Unilever shares just keep on going

| Alan Oscroft

Unilever shares have had a steady few years, as the company adjusts to rising costs and changing focus. 2022 results…

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

Earnings: why AstraZeneca shares are climbing

| Alan Oscroft

AstraZeneca shares have stormed ahead as the company's long-term rebuild is delivering revenue growth. Results for 2022 are here.

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a couple embrace in front of their new home
Investing Articles

Earnings: can Redrow shares maintain their recovery?

| Alan Oscroft

Redrow shares have been regaining ground since October. And they remain steady after an encouraging start to the second half.

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

With the FTSE 100 climbing, I’d buy these shares now

| Alan Oscroft

Choosing which shares to buy when the FTSE 100 is rising can be harder than when we're in a slump.…

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Petrochemical engineer working at night with digital tablet inside oil and gas refinery plant
Investing Articles

Down 20% in 5 years, are Centrica shares a no-brainer buy now?

| Alan Oscroft

Centrica shares have been climbing steadily since 2020, but they're still on a low fundamental valuation. And the cash is…

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

Does the Ocado share price fall finally make it a no-brainer buy?

| Alan Oscroft

The Ocado share price has crashed since its pandemic peak. And we're now facing inflation and recession. The perfect time…

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Investing Articles

Down 75%, does the Polymetal share price make it a buy now?

| Alan Oscroft

The recent Polymetal share price rise gave the Russia-based gold miner a boost. But what's in store for its stock…

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Young Caucasian girl showing and pointing up with fingers number three against yellow background
Investing Articles

3 FTSE 250 shares to buy before February results?

| Alan Oscroft

The FTSE 250 has fallen behind the FTSE 100 since summer 2022. But it's starting to catch up again, and…

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Young Asian woman holding a cup of takeaway coffee and folders containing paperwork, on her way into the office
Investing Articles

3 FTSE 100 shares to buy before February results?

| Alan Oscroft

Results season is upon us, and investors looking for FTSE 100 shares have plenty coming our way. Here are three…

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Mixed-race female couple enjoying themselves on a walk
Investing Articles

Is the ASOS share price set for explosive growth?

| Alan Oscroft

The ASOS share price collapsed in recent years. But 2023 is off to a cracking start, as the fashion firm's…

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A man with Down's syndrome serves a customer a pint of beer in a pub.
Investing Articles

Are Marston’s shares a steal based on strong forecasts?

| Alan Oscroft

Marston's shares look attractive based on their headline valuation, as forecasts suggest good earnings growth. Time to dig deeper.

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Investing Articles

Why the Kingfisher share price could make it a top buy right now

| Alan Oscroft

Despite recent gains, I think the Kingfisher share price could represent one of the stock market's best long-term buys.

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Affectionate Asian senior mother and daughter using smartphone together at home, smiling joyfully
Investing Articles

The 5% dividend makes Anglo American shares look cheap to me

| Alan Oscroft

Anglo American shares have been recovering. I think there's still plenty of time to grab a slice of those long-term…

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Middle-aged black male working at home desk
Investing Articles

Earnings: Vodafone shares unmoved by big dividend prospects

| Alan Oscroft

Vodafone shares have had a weak year, despite the stock offering a dividend yield of 8%. Q3 trading sheds some…

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

Earnings: are GSK shares a buy after a big earnings rise?

| Alan Oscroft

Do GSK shares provide one of the FTSE 100's most reliable dividends right now? Full-year 2022 results show steady progress.

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Businesswoman calculating finances in an office
Investing Articles

Earnings: why ITM Power shares are climbing

| Alan Oscroft

After a painful boom and bust, are ITM Power shares on a sustainable upwards growth run with hopes for eventual…

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Close up of manual worker's equipment at construction site without people.
Investing Articles

The CRH share price is climbing. Is it too late to buy?

| Alan Oscroft

The CRH share price has grown strongly over five years. But can it continue if we face a construction sector…

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Stack of British pound coins falling on list of share prices
Investing Articles

After 888 shares crash, here’s what investors need to know

| Alan Oscroft

After seeing a 30% tumble in less than two days, anyone with 888 Holdings shares in their portfolio will want…

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Young female couple boarding their plane at the airport to go on holiday.
Investing Articles

3 reasons to buy easyJet shares, and 1 reason to avoid

| Alan Oscroft

easyJet shares were hammered in 2022, but they've started on a tentative recovery. And the company is upbeat about the…

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

Are Diageo shares the FTSE 100’s best long-term buy?

| Alan Oscroft

Diageo shares have been looking strong over the past couple of years, and the company has just upped its dividend…

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Investing Articles

The BT share price is up, but there’s still a 6% dividend yield

| Alan Oscroft

BT's share price has gained 14% so far in 2023, after a dismal 2022. Is this a great time to…

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British Pennies on a Pound Note
Investing Articles

The best AIM dividend shares to buy right now?

| Alan Oscroft

AIM shares are all about capital growth from new firms, aren't they? It might surprise investors to see income stocks…

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