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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

Here’s why we could be in for a golden decade for FTSE 100 dividend shares

| Alan Oscroft

We seem to start each year with bumper FTSE 100 dividend forecasts, and then through the year they keep being…

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Investing Articles

Here’s how much 10 years of dividends from Lloyds shares could be worth

| Alan Oscroft

Forecasting where Lloyds shares will go in the next 10 years is near impossible. But that shouldn't stop us from…

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A senior group of friends enjoying rowing on the River Derwent
Investing Articles

How much do I need to invest in UK shares to retire on the passive income they earn?

| Alan Oscroft

Investing in a diversified portfolio of dividend stocks can generate a nice passive income to help long-term investors to retire…

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Investing Articles

Is it finally time for me to buy this FTSE 100 dividend star?

| Alan Oscroft

I think most of my favourite FTSE 100 income stocks still look like they're very good value today. This one's…

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Investing Articles

If I had to buy just 1 FTSE 100 passive income stock for the next 10 years, this would be it

| Alan Oscroft

Wouldn't it be scary having to pick only one passive income stock to hold for a decade? But if someone…

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Investing Articles

If I’d put just £1,000 into Nvidia stock 5 years ago, here’s how much I’d have now

| Alan Oscroft

The Nvidia stock price has fallen since we saw estimate-busting Q2 earnings at the end of August. But it's still…

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

This FTSE 100 stock looks back on course, and I think it’s still cheap

| Alan Oscroft

Shares in this FTSE 100 stock didn't react too well to the lastest news release, even though the company beat…

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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

My 5 favourite stocks to consider buying right now

| Alan Oscroft

As I see the stock market outlook getting brighter, I'm building up my list of potential stocks to buy in…

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Middle-aged black male working at home desk
Investing Articles

Here’s why September could be a great time to start a Stocks and Shares ISA

| Alan Oscroft

I wonder how many people, like me, still haven't got their 2024 Stocks and Shares ISA going properly yet? Best…

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Investing Articles

Analysts expect big dividend jumps from these FTSE 250 income stocks

| Alan Oscroft

These are some of the FTSE 250 stocks I like as I believe they could reward dividend investors strongly in…

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Two business people sitting at cafe working on new project using laptop. Young businesswoman taking notes and businessman working on laptop computer.
Investing Articles

I’d buy 2,000 shares of this dividend stock to aim for an extra £200 of monthly passive income

| Alan Oscroft

Here's one blue-chip UK stock 'd buy if I had the cash to spare as I think it could help…

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Man thinking about artificial intelligence investing algorithms
Investing Articles

I wouldn’t touch Nvidia stock with a bargepole right now

| Alan Oscroft

It seems that Nvidia stock's the one everyone is raving about buying, as it beat expectations again. Well, not me,…

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Close-up image depicting a woman in her 70s taking British bank notes from her colourful leather wallet.
Investing Articles

Dividend shares to consider buying while their prices are this cheap

| Alan Oscroft

Dividend shares are becoming more attractive as interest rates fall. But I don't think the market has caught up, and…

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Close-up of a woman holding modern polymer ten, twenty and fifty pound notes.
Investing Articles

Cheap penny stocks to consider buying in September

| Alan Oscroft

I keep looking at my top penny stocks, and I keep finding they've climbed and I missed them. But there…

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

Here’s why the National Grid share price might make it the FTSE 100’s best buy

| Alan Oscroft

The National Grid share price was shaken at FY results time. But has everyone noticed how it's been creeping back…

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Business manager working at a pub doing the accountancy and some paperwork using a laptop computer
Investing Articles

If I’d put £5,000 into Lloyds shares in 2015, here’s how much it would be worth now

| Alan Oscroft

The past decade for Lloyds shares teaches me a key long-term investing lesson. And it's a cheery one, not a…

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Businesswoman calculating finances in an office
Investing Articles

If I’d put £5,000 into Rolls-Royce shares 4 years ago, here’s how much I’d have now

| Alan Oscroft

Rolls-Royce shares have triumphed in one of the best stock market recoveries I've ever seen. Shame I didn't buy any.

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Finger clicking a button marked 'Buy' on a keyboard
Investing Articles

3 high-yield dividend stocks to consider buying in September

| Alan Oscroft

Investors might be getting nerves over high-tech growth stocks, but dividend stocks have never been out of fashion for long.

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

These are the FTSE 100 shares I’d buy in a new stock market crash

| Alan Oscroft

The FTSE 100 is having a good year in 2024. But global investors are thinking about a new crash, and…

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

Here’s how I think the Lloyds share price might end 2024

| Alan Oscroft

The Lloyds Bank share price has gained 40% over the past 12 months. But I think that might be just…

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Investing Articles

Here’s why I’d buy these FTSE 250 stocks near 52-week lows

| Alan Oscroft

Could now be great time to buy into some underpriced FTSE 250 stocks ahead of the next mid-cap bull run?…

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Older couple walking in park
Investing Articles

I’d buy 2,941 shares of this FTSE 100 stock for £1,000 a year in passive income

| Alan Oscroft

The Aviva share price has had a cracking 12 months. But even after that, its yield still makes it one…

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

These FTSE 100 stocks are near their 52-week lows. Time to buy?

| Alan Oscroft

I don't expect to see many recoveries in the style of Rolls-Royce, but these FTSE 100 companies are down and…

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Middle aged businesswoman using laptop while working from home
Investing Articles

The boohoo share price is down 30% in 2024. Here are 2 things that could turn it round

| Alan Oscroft

The boohoo share price slide's been painful as it just hit a new 52-week low. But I think we might…

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piggy bank, searching with binoculars
Investing Articles

Here’s how I think the Rolls-Royce share price might end 2024

| Alan Oscroft

What goes up must come down? Or keep going up? That's the dilemma we face when we look at the…

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Close-up as a woman counts out modern British banknotes.
Investing Articles

5 UK stocks that all passive income investors should consider

| Alan Oscroft

What's the best way to pick passive income stocks? At the Fool, we think it's good to listen to all…

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

Analysts expect big dividend jumps from these FTSE 100 stocks

| Alan Oscroft

The FTSE 100 has been paying growing dividends in the past couple of years, and it looks set to continue…

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Close-up image depicting a woman in her 70s taking British bank notes from her colourful leather wallet.
Investing Articles

5 UK stocks whose dividends should keep growing

| Alan Oscroft

Dividend stocks whose share prices are down and yields are up. Oh, and with annual cash raises expected too. What's…

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A black male doctor chats to a senior patient on the hospital ward ,with a young female nurse wearing a hijab attending to a dressing
Investing Articles

AstraZeneca hits £200bn as its share price soars. Can I afford to miss out?

| Alan Oscroft

The AstraZeneca share price is up 17% so far this year. But now the firm has broken the £200bn barrier,…

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Middle-aged white man pulling an aggrieved face while looking at a screen
Investing Articles

Worried about a stock market crash? Here’s what I’d do

| Alan Oscroft

For long-term share investors, there really is no need to fear a stock market crash. They're a fact of life,…

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Man riding the bus alone
Investing Articles

Here’s how many Lloyds shares I’d need to earn £1,000 a month passive income

| Alan Oscroft

Lloyds shares, good dividend yield, passive income, long-term horizon. Here's how that combination could build me some wealth.

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UK financial background: share prices and stock graph overlaid on an image of the Union Jack
Investing Articles

Down from a 52-week high, is the BAE Systems share price cheap after H1 results?

| Alan Oscroft

The BAE Systems share price didn't move much after the latest news, despite the company's raised outlook for the full…

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Mature black woman at home texting on her cell phone while sitting on the couch
Investing Articles

Down 15% this year, is the Rio Tinto share price too cheap to miss after H1 results?

| Alan Oscroft

At H1 time, Rio Tinto believes it's at an inflection point in its growth -- what might that mean for…

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UK supporters with flag
Investing Articles

As the Taylor Wimpey share price inches up on H1 results, is it still cheap?

| Alan Oscroft

Now we know how the first half went for Taylor Wimpey, what things might send the share price higher in…

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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

Analysts expect big earnings jumps from these FTSE 250 growth stocks

| Alan Oscroft

I think it might be time for FTSE 250 growth stocks to shine again. And today I'm looking at a…

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Finger clicking a button marked 'Buy' on a keyboard
Investing Articles

The St James’s Place (STJ) share price just jumped 25%. Here’s what you need to know

| Alan Oscroft

After a terrible few years, this latest news suggests the St James's Place share price could finally be on the…

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Investing Articles

Do these H1 results make the Fresnillo share price look dirt cheap?

| Alan Oscroft

The Fresnillo share price has been volatile as the prices of gold and silver have been up and down. Here's…

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Young happy white woman loading groceries into the back of her car
Investing Articles

Here’s how I think the Ocado share price might end 2024

| Alan Oscroft

The Ocado share price has collapsed from its dizzying heights during the pandemic. I wonder if it might be set…

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Investing Articles

After a tough time, analysts expect a big earnings bounce for this FTSE 100 stock

| Alan Oscroft

Will earnings really double by 2026? Well, that's what the City analysts think could happen with this FTSE 100 company.

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Aviva logo on glass meeting room door
Investing Articles

Here’s where I think the Aviva share price might end 2024

| Alan Oscroft

The Aviva share price is doing well in 2024, with a solid set of Q1 results. With interim results soon,…

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