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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

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

3 FTSE 250 dividend shares to buy right now?

| Alan Oscroft

There are many dividend shares with high yields today across the whole of the stock market. They're hard to choose…

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Investing Articles

The Ocado share price just jumped 25%. Time to buy?

| Alan Oscroft

It's been down in the dumps for ages. But the Ocado share price is soaring on bid rumours. Will it…

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Close-up of British bank notes
Investing Articles

Here’s why Barclays shares might be the FTSE 100’s best buy right now

| Alan Oscroft

The Barclays share price has fallen again, and it puts the bank stock on a very low valuation for 2023.…

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2023 concept with upwards-facing arrows overlaid on a hand with one finger raised, pointing up
Investing Articles

Two things that could send Scottish Mortgage shares climbing in 2023

| Alan Oscroft

Scottish Mortgage Investment Trust shares are still in a slump, even though some US growth stocks have started climbing again…

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a couple embrace in front of their new home
Investing Articles

Berkeley Group shares fall on FY results. Time to buy?

| Alan Oscroft

The short-term outlook for Berkeley Group shares might be tough, but I still see a bright long-term future for the…

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Investing Articles

Are we running out of time to buy cheap housebuilder shares?

| Alan Oscroft

When a sector is down in the dumps, that's often the best time to buy. And the dumps are exactly…

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Businesswoman calculating finances in an office
Investing Articles

How much lower can the BT share price go?

| Alan Oscroft

This century has been devastating for the BT Group share price. But it must bottom out some time and start…

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

Here’s why the Aviva share price might not stay this low much longer

| Alan Oscroft

The Aviva share price has been depressed for years. But with valuations low now, and dividend yields high, are we…

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Airplane sitting on a runway
Investing Articles

Does the low IAG share price make it a no-brainer buy?

| Alan Oscroft

The International Consolidated Airlines (IAG) share price has been creeping up. But I can't help thinking it might still be…

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Investing Articles

With £10 per day, here’s how I’d aim to build passive income for life

| Alan Oscroft

We'd all love some passive income so we can relax and enjoy life, wouldn't we? It might not take a…

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

3 things that would make me buy Rolls-Royce shares today

| Alan Oscroft

For years, I've wanted to buy Rolls-Royce shares, but the time has never been right. Here's what it would take…

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

Are Lloyds shares the best buy of 2023?

| Alan Oscroft

Which are the best stocks to buy? I want quality companies at low prices, with long-term prospects. I think Lloyds…

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Close-up of British bank notes
Investing Articles

The 3 best FTSE dividend stocks to buy right now?

| Alan Oscroft

The outlook for UK dividend stocks looks strong this year, and I rate these among the stock market's most attractive…

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

How I look for the best value stocks in the UK every day

| Alan Oscroft

We all want to buy good value stocks, especially when the stock market is weak. But that can mean different…

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

How I’d target £10,000 in passive income per year

| Alan Oscroft

Ten grand in passive income could make a very nice addition to my retirement years. And many ISA investors achieve…

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

Why I think Rolls-Royce shares can climb even higher in 2023

| Alan Oscroft

Rolls-Royce shares have risen strongly so far this year, as the firm has delivered on its promises. And the new…

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2023 concept with upwards-facing arrows overlaid on a hand with one finger raised, pointing up
Investing Articles

Value or growth, which are the best UK stocks to buy right now?

| Alan Oscroft

Looking for cheap stocks to buy today? With markets weak, there are surely plenty of growth and value stocks with…

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Close-up of British bank notes
Investing Articles

3 cheap shares with 7%+ dividends to buy right now?

| Alan Oscroft

I see lots of cheap shares on the UK stock market today. My biggest question is how much longer will…

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

Just how much lower can Scottish Mortgage shares fall?

| Alan Oscroft

Are Scottish Mortgage shares set to climb again? Or might they have further to fall first? The discount is still…

Read more »

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

Investing £20k in these dividend stocks could get me £1,550 income a year

| Alan Oscroft

At the moment, I see a lot of UK dividend stocks I'd like to buy for my ISA, to help…

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Arrow symbol glowing amid black arrow symbols on black background.
Investing Articles

Here’s why I think the FTSE 100 could hit a new high in 2023

| Alan Oscroft

FTSE 100 shares have fallen back since breaking the 8,000 barrier earlier in 2023. But we could be on for…

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

The Pan African Resources (PAF) share price just crashed 20%. Time to buy?

| Alan Oscroft

Some gold stocks look good value right now. And after a Pan African (LON:PAF) share price fall, might it be…

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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

Here’s why I’d buy dirt cheap FTSE 100 shares right now

| Alan Oscroft

The best way to make the biggest gains from FTSE 100 shares, surely, is to buy them when nobody else…

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

Can Lloyds shares really get any cheaper now?

| Alan Oscroft

Fresh interest rate fears are putting the squeeze on mortgage lenders. But Lloyds shares are holding up, and I rate…

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

Just how much lower can the Persimmon share price go?

| Alan Oscroft

Fresh interest rate fears have hit the Persimmon share price again. But after further falls, I now see an even…

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Investing Articles

Turning a £20K ISA into passive income worth £10K a year!

| Alan Oscroft

Stocks and Shares ISAs have returned 9.6% per year on average in the past decade. That could get me a…

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

Why 2023 could be the best year to buy value shares ever

| Alan Oscroft

I reckon this year could offer some of the best value shares I've seen for ages. But I also think…

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

How I’d invest my Stocks and Shares ISA to target £1,500 in annual income

| Alan Oscroft

Can I achieve a 7.5% annual return from my Stocks and Shares ISA? With the big FTSE 100 dividends out…

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British Pennies on a Pound Note
Investing Articles

3 penny shares I’d buy and hold for 10 years

| Alan Oscroft

Right now, I see a lot of penny shares I like the look of. But I need to be careful…

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

Should I buy 12,000 Vodafone shares for a £900 second income?

| Alan Oscroft

For a second income, I want to see reliable long-term dividends. I haven't seen that with Vodafone in recent years,…

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

No savings at 40? Here’s how I’d aim to get rich with FTSE 100 stocks

| Alan Oscroft

It's tempting to try to get rich by looking for the latest hot growth shares. But I reckon FTSE 100…

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

Here’s why National Grid shares could be the FTSE 100’s best buy right now

| Alan Oscroft

National Grid shares might just be the best dividend shares I've never bought. Should I finally add them to my…

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

After BT shares plunged on results day, is it time to buy?

| Alan Oscroft

BT Group shares have been declining for years, as the firm struggles with margin pressure and debt. But the change…

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

Are Scottish Mortgage shares finally set to soar again?

| Alan Oscroft

Scottish Mortgage shares have been in the news this week after the investment trust's shareholders have endured a very testing…

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

I’d buy £4,000 of each of these dividend stocks, for £1,056 in annual income

| Alan Oscroft

When I'm aiming to build up my long-term cash prospects, I look for dividend stocks every time. These three are…

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

Should I put £20,000 into Lloyds shares to aim for £1,040 in income?

| Alan Oscroft

Should I follow the Warren Buffett approach and go all in with Lloyds shares this year? Here's how I think…

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

How I’d invest £20,000 today to aim for £1,375 in passive income

| Alan Oscroft

Here's why I believe depressed financial and property stocks could be the best choices for a passive income portfolio in…

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

5 of the FTSE 100’s best value stocks to buy right now?

| Alan Oscroft

I'm seeing a lot of great value stocks on the UK market right now. With prices so low, I reckon…

Read more »

A pastel colored growing graph with rising rocket.
Investing Articles

Here’s why Vodafone shares could be ready to soar

| Alan Oscroft

Vodafone shares are down 50% over the past five years as performance has faltered. But with a new boss, things…

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Abstract bull climbing indicators on stock chart
Investing Articles

If I’d bought £5,000 in Rolls-Royce shares for New Year, I’d have this much now

| Alan Oscroft

Rolls-Royce shares have made a great start to 2023, and I missed a nice bit of profit. But is it…

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