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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

Where will the Woodbois share price go next?

| Alan Oscroft

The Woodbois share price has had a pretty volatile ride in 2022. But that's nothing new for a company that…

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Mature Caucasian woman sat at a table with coffee and laptop while making notes on paper
Investing Articles

I’d buy 3,200 shares of this stock, for £100 in monthly passive income

| Alan Oscroft

Dividend yields are uncertain over the short term, especially today. But I think this could be a good one for…

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Businesswoman calculating finances in an office
Investing Articles

After the SSE share price slump, is the stock a buy now?

| Alan Oscroft

Energy shares are on a downer, as the prospect of a windfall tax has spooked the market. But I think…

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Front view of a mixed-race couple walking past a shop window and looking in.
Investing Articles

If I’d invested £1,000 in Boohoo shares 2 years ago, here’s how much I’d have now

| Alan Oscroft

My purchase of Boohoo shares back in 2020 has been one of my worst investments ever. Should I come up…

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Investing Articles

These FTSE 100 dividend shares offer today’s biggest yields

| Alan Oscroft

The UK's economic outlook might be worsening, but you'd never know it just from looking at some of our top…

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

Here’s a cheap FTSE 250 growth stock I might buy for 2023

| Alan Oscroft

I don't buy a growth stock very often. But after a few ups and downs, I think this one might…

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New year '2023' numbers on stacked wooden cubes
Investing Articles

Does the Unilever share price make it one to buy for 2023?

| Alan Oscroft

The fallen Unilever share price is helping push the dividend yield up. And it's a long-term progressive dividend to start…

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Young happy people looking at sparklers in their hands on New Year's Eve
Investing Articles

3 cheap FTSE 100 shares to buy for 2023?

| Alan Oscroft

There are many fallen FTSE 100 shares around these days, and some of them are surely worth buying. These three…

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Front view photo of a woman using digital tablet in London
Investing Articles

The Next share price is picking up. Has it passed rock bottom?

| Alan Oscroft

There's surely only so far the Next share price can fall, isn't there? Things could change when we see the…

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

FTSE 100, next stop 8,000 points?

| Alan Oscroft

It seemed like the FTSE 100 might be heading back above 7,000 points. But what might Footsie shares look like…

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Close-up of British bank notes
Investing Articles

Does the HSBC share price make it the UK’s best bank stock now?

| Alan Oscroft

In contrast to the rest of the sector, the HSBC share price has risen in the past 12 months. But…

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Young female analyst working at her desk in the office
Investing Articles

The Greatland Gold share price is down to pennies. Should I buy?

| Alan Oscroft

Despite the possibility of continuing strong demand for gold, the Greatland Gold share price has had a bit of a…

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Cheerful young businesspeople with laptop working in office
Investing Articles

The ASOS share price is down 80%. Is it a no-brainer buy now?

| Alan Oscroft

The ASOS share price has collapsed in the past year. But Mike Ashley is buying, and he does seem to…

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Close-up of British bank notes
Investing Articles

How much passive income could I generate from Lloyds shares?

| Alan Oscroft

Lloyds shares have been on a long slow slide, making headline returns look bad. But that can work wonders for…

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Close-up of British bank notes
Investing Articles

I’d buy 6,500 shares of this stock for £100 in monthly passive income

| Alan Oscroft

Dividend yields that are reliable over the long term, that's what I want for building a passive income stream. Here's…

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Happy male couple looking at a laptop screen together
Investing Articles

Have we finally hit the turnaround point for Rolls-Royce shares?

| Alan Oscroft

Rolls-Royce shares have fallen further in 2022. Despite the latest stock market turmoil, might they have finally bottomed out?

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Young black woman in a wheelchair working online from home
Investing Articles

As the Woodbois share price drops below 3.5p, is it time to buy?

| Alan Oscroft

Revenue in the third quarter has increased again, but the Woodbois share price has fallen further back from its 12-month…

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

3 penny shares that are getting even cheaper

| Alan Oscroft

Investors often buy penny shares thinking they can't fall any lower. Here are three that did just that, but they…

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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

3 reasons to buy BT shares today

| Alan Oscroft

BT shares have slumped since July, with investors disappointed by the first-quarter performance. But I think that's strengthened the buy…

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

5 reasons to buy Tesco shares today

| Alan Oscroft

The Tesco share price has fallen as inflation soars and shoppers rein in their spending. I think that's one good…

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Photo of a man going through financial problems
Investing Articles

3 UK shares I’d buy to help cope with inflation

| Alan Oscroft

Inflation has climbed back above 10% in September. Can buying UK shares help us deal with it? I think it…

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Close-up of British bank notes
Investing Articles

Here are 10 FTSE 100 dividend shares I’d buy today

| Alan Oscroft

UK share prices have taken a hammering this year. But with forecast yields rising, dividend shares look even more attractive…

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Shot of an young Indian businesswoman sitting alone in the office at night and using a digital tablet
Investing Articles

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

| Alan Oscroft

The FTSE 100 is only just edging its way back from the past week's punishment. I see some great buys…

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Black father holding daughter in a field of cows
Investing Articles

ITM Power shares have crashed. Are they a top growth buy now?

| Alan Oscroft

ITM Power shares have fallen close to 80% over the past 12 months. With growth shares, that can often provide…

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Entrepreneur on the phone.
Investing Articles

Does the Vodafone share price fall make it a no-brainer buy now?

| Alan Oscroft

The low Vodafone share price means the dividend yield has been boosted to a massive 7.5%. That's one of the…

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Close-up of British bank notes
Investing Articles

Does the Lloyds share price falling below 40p make it a no-brainer buy?

| Alan Oscroft

The Lloyds share price is falling even further as the UK economy tanks. How low does it have to go…

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happy senior couple using a laptop in their living room to look at their financial budgets
Investing Articles

How much higher can the BP share price go?

| Alan Oscroft

After a few years in the dumps, the BP share price is climbing again. Oil prices are pushing profits up,…

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Smiling white woman holding iPhone with Airpods in ear
Investing Articles

As the BT share price slide continues, is it time to buy?

| Alan Oscroft

The BT share price has been falling, but that makes the stock's valuation look attractive, and pushes up the forecast…

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

I’d buy 850 shares of this stock, for £100 in monthly passive income

| Alan Oscroft

If I want to generate regular monthly passive income, I need to find stocks that will pay me a reliable…

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Happy parents playing with little kids riding in box
Investing Articles

Can the Persimmon share price go any lower?

| Alan Oscroft

The Persimmon share price has slumped in 2022. Mortgage costs are steadily rising. And investors increasingly fear a housing slump.

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Shot of an young Indian businesswoman sitting alone in the office at night and using a digital tablet
Investing Articles

10 shares I’d buy to start a Stocks and Shares ISA today

| Alan Oscroft

There are so many cheap-looking shares around today, we're spoiled for choice when it comes to picking Stocks and Shares…

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Portrait of elderly man wearing white denim shirt and glasses looking up with hand on chin. Thoughtful senior entrepreneur, studio shot against grey background.
Investing Articles

Does the Barclays share price fall make it a no-brainer buy right now?

| Alan Oscroft

Bank shares are sliding, and the Barclays share price has fallen more than most in 2022. I think it could…

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Group of friends celebrating together the end of 2022 and the new beginning in 2023.
Investing Articles

3 FTSE 100 shares to buy with £3,000 today, to help survive 2023

| Alan Oscroft

FTSE 100 shares could be heading into 2023 surrounded by gloom. For long-term investors, that could present buying opportunities.

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Close-up of British bank notes
Investing Articles

I’m holding these 3 dividend shares to help me survive 2023

| Alan Oscroft

I like dividend shares at the best of times. And right now, I rate them as my best hope of…

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Aerial shot showing an aircraft shadow flying over an idyllic beach
Investing Articles

3 reasons to buy Rolls-Royce shares today

| Alan Oscroft

Rolls-Royce shares have picked up from their low point, but they're still well down. I see three financial factors that…

Read more »

Warren Buffett at a Berkshire Hathaway AGM
Investing Articles

With no savings today, I’d use the Warren Buffett method to build wealth

| Alan Oscroft

Investing for the very long term is undoubtedly best. But even starting later in life, I'd still do my best…

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Investing Articles

Does the Scottish Mortgage share price slump make it a no-brainer buy now?

| Alan Oscroft

The Scottish Mortgage share price has plunged this year, meaning we can invest in US tech stocks for less. Is…

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Close up of two senior females hiking together
Investing Articles

Does a Woodbois share price under 5p make it a no-brainer buy now?

| Alan Oscroft

The Woodbois share price has retreated some way from its 52-week highs. It's looking like it might be a tempting…

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Long-term vs short-term investing concept on a staircase
Investing Articles

If I invest £1,000 in Lloyds shares, how much could they be worth in 10 years?

| Alan Oscroft

Lloyds shares have had a disappointing 10 years, with crisis following on from crisis. But things must surely get better,…

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Investing Articles

Does the Tesco share price slump make it a no-brainer buy now?

| Alan Oscroft

The Tesco share price has remained steady after the supermarket giant released first-half results. Are we looking at a long-term…

Read more »