Motley Fool Stock Advisor Review
Motley Fool’s Stock Advisor subscription is an affordable way to gain access to countless resources for creating a portfolio that builds real wealth. Their track record boasts serious gains for members—Motley Fool’s recommendations consistently outperform the stock market and have an average return of 352%* on recommended stock picks. As a member, you get two new picks, including an analysis of those picks, each month.
Nearly one million members leverage Stock Advisor’s picks to build long-term wealth. Subscribers are advised to invest in at least 25 stocks and hold them for at least five years. Members appreciate that they don’t need thousands of dollars to invest wisely; many reap rewards with just $1,000.
Pros
- Stock recommendations for beginner and advanced investors
- Abundant educational resources on the website
- Affordable price for the value
Cons
- No portfolio analysis
- Shorter-term refund policy compared to others
The Motley Fool Services
You can’t invest directly on the Motley Fool platform, but each email provides research to help you make smart investment decisions. Motley Fool caters to DIY investors rather than offering guided or automated strategies. If you’re looking for expert insights to inform your investing, this could be a perfect fit. Stock Advisor offers the following resources with its subscription:
- Recommendations on two new stock picks each month
- Best Buys Now alerts, showcasing 10 timely buys from over 300 stocks
- Starter stock recommendations for new and experienced investors
- Educational resources, including unlimited access to an online library of stock recommendations, a robust online community you can engage in to discuss options, and eBooks and videos on all things investing
The Motley Fool Newsletter Cost
As with every subscription, you should weigh costs against benefits. Stock Advisor charges a modest fee relative to its value and performance record. New members pay $89 per year (a discounted annual subscription from the list price of $199) or $39 per month. If you choose to test the service for one month but then decide to cancel, you won’t get a refund for that month. All annual subscriptions come with a 30-day membership-fee-back guarantee.
Signing up is easy. Just fill out a quick form on the website and enter your credit card information to complete the subscription.
Stock Advisor is Motley Fool’s flagship product, but you can also subscribe to additional newsletters focused on stock recommendations by theme, such as high growth, company culture, or pricing power. Or you can snag a stock report—a la carte research reports on one stock recommended by their analysts—to inform your one-off purchases.
| Services | Offering | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Stock Advisor | Long-term investments | $199 per year |
| Rule Breakers | High-growth investments | $299 per year |
| Everlasting Stocks | Investments based on Tom Gardner’s Everlasting philosophy | $299 per year |
| Epic Bundle | Stock Advisor, Rule Breakers, Everlasting Stocks, and Real Estate Winners | $499 per year |
| Rule Your Retirement | Retirement, social security, investment, and estate planning guidance | $149 per year |
| Stock Reports | A la carte research reports on one recommended stock | $100 per report |
*Based on $199/year list price. Introductory promotion for new members only.
The Motley Fool’s Industry Reputation
Launched in 1993, the Fool has proven that it provides recommendations that customers can trust. Its historical performance has been noteworthy; many finance websites consider The Motley Fool the best stock recommendation service because they consistently outperform the S&P.
Stock Advisor recommendations have outperformed the market 3-to-1. As of October 2022, Stock Advisor’s returns have averaged 352% compared to the S&P 500’s 108% (Motley Fool adjusts these numbers regularly on its website).
The Motley Fool Complaints
Stock Advisor doesn’t have its own Better Business Bureau or Trustpilot profile for reviews, but The Motley Fool does. As of September 2002, Trustpilot boasted nearly 6,000 reviews with 57% positive ratings and 18% average ratings. Users praise the site for providing thorough recommendations that have improved their portfolios over time. Others say the amount of information (and emails) can get overwhelming. Some appreciate the detail, but if a brief summary is what you’re looking for, you might choose another service.
Several reviewers were disappointed about portfolio performance, but these comments seem to be a response to the generalized risk of investing in the stock market, not to Motley Fool. The Better Business Bureau gives the company a “B” thanks to its consistency in engaging with clients. The Motley Fool doesn’t have any unresolved complaints on its profile at this time.
The Motley Fool FAQ
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How do The Motley Fool newsletters work?
Each month, you’ll get curated stock picks based on researcher recommendations. In addition to the monthly picks, you’ll get a list of ten stocks you should buy today based on an analysis of 300 stocks. You’ll also receive a list of recommended “starter stocks” to add to your portfolio. Members gain access to educational materials and timely resources to help them improve their investment strategies. Although it provides many resources, this service does not include assistance with investing, so you’ll need to do that yourself.
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How much does The Motley Fool cost?
Motley Fool’s Stock Advisor costs $89 for the first year for new members with an annual subscription and $199/year after the first year). The one-month subscription option costs $39.
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Is Motley Fool Stock Advisor worth the money?
Stock Advisor fees are fair compared to other financial newsletters, especially considering its return averages. The annual subscription includes a 30-day membership-fee-back guarantee, though this doesn’t apply to the monthly subscription.
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What other products does Motley Fool offer?
In addition to Stock Advisor, Motley Fool offers Rule Breakers, Everlasting Stocks, and Epic Bundle subscriptions. Several other a la carte resources are available, too, including one-off stock reports, comprehensive retirement guidance via “Rule Your Retirement,” and other investment guidance packages.
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What is Motley Fool Stock Advisor’s performance record?
Since launching 20 years ago, Stock Advisor has had 157 Stock Recommendations with 100%+ Returns. With the average stock returning 352% as of October 2022, they’ve performed three times better than the S&P (The company updates this number regularly).
Conclusion
An industry mainstay with a proven performance record, The Motley Fool offers in-depth analysis that is ideal for creating a robust portfolio. This service is perfect for those who don’t want to spend a lot of time researching stocks that represent wise long-term investments. As a member of The Motley Fool’s newsletters, you’ll receive well-researched guidance to help you make solid investing decisions.