Should I start with big, stable companies or riskier growth stocks?  What about dividend-paying stocks?  And what’s the best time to sell?  In part 2 of our special, we answer those questions and more.  Plus, we share 2 stocks we would hold for the next 40 years.  For a free copy of our best-selling e-book “The Motley Fool Guide to Investing for Beginners”, just go to www.fool.com/beginners

“I know how important it is to invest, I just don’t know how to get started.”  At The Motley Fool we hear this comment all the time.  So in part 1 of our special Aaron Bush and David Kretzmann discuss why it’s so important to invest, how to get started, and how millennials can get started on the road to financial independence.

Best Buy stands its ground. Keurig Green Mountain rises as short-sellers flee.  Plus we analyze the latest public offerings from Square and Match Group.

Lowe’s follows up Home Depot’s strong quarter with one of their own. Jack In The Box offers strong guidance for 2016. And Dick’s Sporting Goods slashes guidance, which in turn slashes its stock price.

Wal-Mart rises on good results and an upbeat forecast. Home Depot’s sales continue to rise. Urban Outfitters decides the path to growth is paved with pizza restaurants. Bill Mann and Bill Barker from Motley Fool Funds analyze those stories and discuss the health benefits of coffee.

Marriott bids $12 billion for Starwood Hotels.  Tim Hanson analyzes the deal and the online travel industry.  Plus we dip into the Fool Mailbag and discuss investing in the battery industry, international exchanges and how we each fared in a national 12-kilometer race.

Kohl’s beats low expectations.  Liberty Media restructures.  And Popeye’s Louisiana Kitchen serves up some tasty earnings.  Plus, we review some of the worst logos in the world and pitch Titan International on the updated logo we want to see.

Middleby & Macy’s sell off for very different reasons. Alibaba celebrates Singles’ Day with $14 billion in sales. Plus we look at the short interest in retail stocks and discuss why anyone would short Costco.

LionsGate Entertainment rises in advance of the final “Hunger Games” film.  The Gap lowers expectations, while Wayfair sells off.  Plus, Dan Boyd gives a report on the GWAR concert!

Priceline Group falls on cautious guidance. Hertz falls even further. And packaged food company WhiteWave quietly puts up a strong quarter.  Plus, we’re planning an episode on Millennials & investing and want your suggestions! Email your questions & ideas to MarketFoolery@fool.com.

Facebook hits an all-time high and becomes the 6th-largest public company.  Whole Foods stumbles.  Expedia makes HomeAway an offer it can’t refuse.

CBS reboots “Star Trek”, but not for broadcast TV.  Zillow sells off despite continued growth.  And Groupon’s dumpster fire continues to rage.  Plus we consider the worst corporate logos.

Coach puts up better-than-expected results in Q1.  Activist investing is getting personal.  Plus Ron Gross analyzes the holiday retail landscape and offers some thoughts on leveraged ETFs.

Columnist Morgan Housel examines the possibility of the Federal Reserve raising interest rates at the December meeting and shares what advice he would give Fed Chief Janet Yellen.  Plus we dip into the Fool Mailbag to discuss how to get kids (and your adult friends) interested in investing.

Buffalo Wild Wings and GoPro have nothing in common, except a falling stock price.  MasterCard hits a new high as Yelp surprises Wall Street.  Plus, we celebrate National Cat Day with Motley Fool Funds analyst Bill Barker.

Apple’s iPhone sales in China take off.  Twitter’s guidance sends the stock down.  Plus we dip into the Fool Mailbag to analyze SolarCity and the perplexing fall of Porsche.

Alibaba’s 2nd-quarter profits are fueled by a huge rise in mobile sales.  Fast cars, dinosaurs & Minions drive Comcast’s 3-quarter results.  And Motley Fool Funds portfolio manager Bill Mann shares how he finds international investments.

Shares of Ctrip, Qunar and Baidu jump as we try to make sense of the new landscape in China’s online travel industry.  Plus we analyze Duke Energy’s purchase of Piedmont Natural Gas and dip into the Fool Mailbag.

McDonald’s hits an all-time high. American Express hits a 52-week low. Under Armour falls despite hitting $1 billion in quarterly sales for the first time ever. 

Chipotle’s growth slows down. Valeant Pharmaceuticals gets hit with allegations of fraud. GM crushes 3rd-quarter earnings, while the Ferrari IPO revs its engine.  Plus, we celebrate “Back To The Future” day by sharing 3 stocks we would hold for the next 30 years.

IBM struggles.  Harley-Davidson’s 3rd-quarter is terrible. Plus we analyze Yum Brands’ spin-off and the benefits of options investing. For a free crash course on options, go to OptionsRadio.Fool.com

Hasbro’s quarter can be summed up in five words.  Halliburton makes it through the last of its “tough comps” quarters.  Plus, Oprah Winfrey single-handedly sends shares Weight Watchers Internationals up more than 80%.

Netflix drops on lower profits, but the global expansion continues.  Wal-Mart has its worst day in 20 years.  Plus, our Canadian listeners flood the Fool Mailbag in response to yesterday’s episode.

Intel’s 3rd-quarter profits fell as PC sales continue to slow.  TripAdvisor’s stock jumps 20% on a new partnership with Priceline Group.  Plus we discuss how the baseball playoffs are shaping up for FOX and Time Warner.

Anheuser-Busch InBev FINALLY gets SABMiller to merge, and all it took was $104 billion.  Plus we dip into the Fool Mailbag, analyze Johnson & Johnson’s latest quarter, and recommend a couple of bourbons.

Dell buys EMC in deal worth $67 billion. Fiat Chrysler spins off Ferrari, but will investors pay $50 a share at the IPO?  Plus we share highlights from the Fool One event in Miami, the “price-to-car” ratio and two things we’re watching this earnings season.

Domino’s is poised to continue taking over the pizza market, while analysts worry about GoPro’s future. Plus Amazon is moving in on Etsy’s turf, but Etsy is a stronger company than many investors give it credit for.

Yum Brands continues to struggle in China as Wall Street loses patience.  Constellation Brands shows strength in its beer division.  Plus we analyze Budweiser’s latest bid for SABMiller, the growing challenges for Draft Kings and FanDuel, and the relative merits of taping a podcast outdoors.

Pepsi’s strength in North America tops its huge one-time charge in Venezuela.  The Container Store’s quarterly profits fall 62%.  Plus, on the day McDonald’s launches its all-day breakfast menu we analyze whether the plan will soar or backfire.

Jack Dorsey is officially back for his 2nd stint as Twitter’s CEO.  How much of a honeymoon period will Wall Street give him?  Plus we analyze Tesla Motors’ latest deliveries and newest vehicle, American Apparel’s bankruptcy, and whether competitors belong in your portfolio.

Tim Hanson analyzes the grim landscape for investors interested in emerging markets. Plus we discuss his experience as a VW owner, potential names for Alcoa’s spin-off company, and why next Sunday morning will be miserable for us thanks to Hurricane Joaquin.

Ralph Lauren (the man) steps down as CEO of Ralph Lauren (the company), concluding a nearly 20-year run of market-beating returns.  Shares of The Gap fall as a key executive takes the CEO job at Ralph Lauren.  Plus we analyze Costco’s latest quarter and look back at Q3.

A recent article made the case that it’s wrong for Millennials to save & invest money. Columnist Morgan Housel stops by the studio to offer a polite rebuttal.  Plus we discuss energy prices, proxy voting, and the lure of going out for coffee.

Alcoa splits the company in two, but doesn’t have a name for one of the companies. Under Armour’s investment in golfer Jordan Spieth continues to pay off.  Plus we dip into the Fool Mailbag to make sense of Google’s different share classes.

New home sales look strong, but Caterpillar’s woeful quarter drags down the Dow.  Plus we discuss the latest iPhone reviews, electric vehicles, and the upcoming film “The Big Short”.

Groupon lays off 10% of employees as it tries to stay afloat. Instagram hits the 400-million user mark. Plus we discuss the state of GoPro, alternatives to cash, and Pope-inspired beers.

AutoZone continues to deliver strong earnings. Darden Restaurants increases sales for the 6th straight quarter.  Plus, Motley Fool Funds analyst Bill Barker weighs in on just how bad things are getting for Volkswagen.

VW gets busted for cheating on emissions test and faces up to $18 billion in fines.  Plus we discuss the business side of the Emmy Awards and the “Rule of 72”.

European telecom Altice buys Cablevision. Oracle’s cloud business is growing, but not enough to keep shares from falling.  Rite Aid falls 10% after its latest earnings report.  Plus, we discuss underrated and overrated items you can buy in a drug store.

FedEx disappoints. Hewlett-Packard lays off another 30,000 employees in advance of splitting the company next month.  And the two biggest beer companies in the world contemplate a merger.

Columnist Morgan Housel shares his thoughts on the Federal Reserve’s upcoming meeting, what a rise in interest rates means for investors, and why bond investors should be concerned.

Apple rises on an upbeat sales forecast for new iPhones.  Is Goldman Sachs correct in thinking oil could hit $20 a barrel?  Plus, we analyze McDonald’s move (finally!) to all-day breakfast and Amazon’s test of 1-hour alcohol delivery.

Lululemon Athletica falls after lowering guidance. We analyze the highlights from Apple’s product launch. Plus, we discuss Ambarella’s recent plunge and how long FireEye’s unprofitability should worry investors.

United Continental’s CEO suddenly resigns, but Wall Street appears unfazed.  Dave & Buster’s hits an all-time high, putting the stock in Shake Shack territory.  With the NFL season about to begin, we analyze the rising (and seemingly unstoppable) business of fantasy football.  Plus, we discuss the prospects for our fantasy team, televised darts, and the unheralded sport of sheep herding. 

We dip into the Fool Mailbag to analyze the best ways to diversify your portfolio, when to STOP researching a company, and how to decide when to add to a position.

After a rough month for investors Chris Hill reflects on the audacity of individual stock investing, his recent trip to northern California, what he learned inside Pixar Animation, and the poetry of Rudyard Kipling.

Tim Hanson discusses everything from ETF-based investments in Brazil and China, to specific global investments like Tencent Holdings.  He also shares why U.S. investors should read non-U.S. news every day.

There are opportunities to be had in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries, but some investors shy away because of the “Sleep Factor”.  Industry Focus host Kristine Harjes analyzes the drug approval process and why every investor should take a close look at this industry.  She also shares two drugmaker stocks she likes right now, and introduces the term “bleeding event” to the conversation.

Chris Hill discusses key resources for investors, why he’s a fan of charts, and the investing lessons he recently learned from filmmaker Robert Rodriguez.

Ron Gross kicks off “Strategy Week” with a primer on value investing, including key metrics to look for and why management is a key factor in “deep value” investing.

A law firm urges the SEC to get rid of quarterly earnings reports. Should Elon Musk take a page from the Google/Alphabet playbook and restructure his companies under one roof?  Plus, we debate the pros and cons of investing in off-price retailers.

Brian Cornell caps his 1^st year as Target’s CEO with another strong quarter. Lowe’s 2^nd-quarter results are solid, not spectacular.  Plus we analyze Yum Brands’ new leadership in China and yet another new Colonel Sanders.

Wal-Mart hits a 52-week low while Home Depot soars to a new all-time high. We analyze the two retailers and dip into the Fool Mailbag to compare the recent performances of Berkshire-Hathaway and Markel.

A New York Times article on Amazon’s work conditions for white-collar employees puts the e-commerce giant in the spotlight. Plus we dip into the Fool Mailbag to discuss the best way to invest in a future rise in oil prices, explain Zillow’s massive stock drop and analyze Disney’s expansion plans for Star Wars theme parks.

The team takes a look at Wayfair and Keurig’s latest earnings reports, as well as Tesla’s newest stock offering and Twitter’s future. Plus they talk about the impending doom of the market thanks to the Death Cross.

Alibaba falls after 2^nd-quarter results. Apple deals with China’s currency moves. Plus Alex Scherer analyzes the most interesting part of Tesla Motors’ recent conference call as the battle for the road heats up.

Google stuns Wall Street with a corporate restructuring that includes renaming the company “Alphabet”.  Matt Argersinger and Jason Moser analyze the pros and cons of the move, including Google’s ability to invest in long-shot initiatives. Plus we discuss Shake Shake’s surprising profit and how short-sellers are helping to fuel the stock’s rise.

Berkshire-Hathaway shells out $37 billion for Precision Castparts, but Wall Street seems unimpressed. Neiman Marcus posts strong online sales as it gears up to go public. Plus we analyze Under Armour’s new partnership with the NBA and Twitter’s new deal with the NFL.

Are computers getting it wrong this earnings season? Did anyone foresee Disney’s stock falling this much? And what are we missing about the rise in the cost of college tuition?  Our man Morgan Housel helps us dip into the Fool Mailbag.

Walt Disney single-handedly drags down the Dow. DreamWorks Animation continues to struggle. Zillow bounces back on stronger-than-expected 2^nd-quarter results. And Lumber Liquidators drops to its lowest point in nearly 4 years.

CVS Health shares drop, despite strong Q2 profits. Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, the $60-billion biotech, hits an all-time high.  We discuss how to start investing in biotechnology stocks, and why Tommy’s Pizza has the best wings in New Jersey.

ExxonMobil’s earnings were cut in half. Tyson Foods falls as the beef market conditions worsen.  Plus we debate the prospects for Taco Bell’s new alcohol sales and encourage everyone to not freak out no matter what happens to the market this month.

Facebook’s quarterly revenue tops $4 billion, but shares fall on concerns over the social network’s increased spending.  Motley Fool Funds analysts Bill Barker and Charly Travers examine the latest results from Whole Foods Market, Wynn Resorts, BorgWarner and debate the relative appeal of Philadelphia’s famed “Wing Bowl.”

Twitter’s revenue rises but the stock falls after management’s comments about future growth. Baidu is making an expensive bet, but will it pay off?  Plus, we sift through the wreckage of Yelp’s latest quarter and celebrate National Chicken Wing Day.

SiriusXM rises due to, among other things, strong auto sales.  Online car shopping site TrueCar falls 45% on lowered guidance.  Plus we dip into the Fool Mailbag to discuss how we might profit from the inevitable Rise Of The Machines.

Cabot Oil & Gas reports a 2^nd-quarter loss, much to the surprise of no one. Uncle Sam hands Fiat Chrysler a record $105 million fine.  Plus we dip into the Fool Mailbag to analyze the potential growth of one utility and one restaurant.

Under Armour hits another new high on strong Q2 results. “Jurassic World” and “Furious 7” fuel Comcast’s latest quarter. Plus we analyze the McDonald’s turnaround plan as all-day breakfast gets ready for its national debut.

Earnings season goes into overdrive with reports from Apple, Chipotle, and GoPro. Plus news from Zillow and what our team is watching during the rest of earnings season.

Earnings season continues as the team takes a look at second quarter results from IBM and Traveler’s. Plus they break down what exactly happened at Toshiba, and they talk about the one thing you should be watching for in Apple’s earnings report.

The team takes a look at PayPal’s public market debut and what the future holds for the payment company now that it’s been cut free from eBay. Plus they take a look at earnings from Halliburton and Hasbro, and try to figure out what happened to Etsy last week.

Netflix soars on strong international growth. Intel barely moves after raking in billions. And eBay jumps as it prepares to kiss PayPal goodbye. Plus we share one thing to watch in Google’s next earnings report.

We analyze 2^nd-quarter earnings from Bank of America, Delta Airlines & Yum Brands. Plus we dip into the Fool Mailbag and attempt to place BofA’s purchase of Countrywide on the list of “Worst Acquisitions Ever”.

GoPro rises on a strong (and warranted) upgrade. Amazon gears up for Prime Day. Plus we dip into the Fool Mailbag to analyze how millennials’ consumer habits are different from baby boomers, and how to invest accordingly.

“Minions” takes in nearly $400 million worldwide, but parent company Comcast’s bigger opportunity lies in its new streaming service.  Marathon Petroleum soars on a $15.6 billion acquisition.  Plus we dip into the Fool Mailbag to figure out what’s behind Markel’s great run this year.

In the wake of NYSE’s technical glitches (as well as United Airlines and WSJ.com), analyst Simon Erickson shares what he learned on his recent trip to Silicon Valley to visit FireEye, a cybersecurity company.  We discuss the latest with cloud computing, “fog” computing (yes, it’s a thing) and driverless cars.  Plus we finally break the news about The Motley Fool’s newest podcast, “Rule Breaker Investing” hosted by co-founder David Gardner!

The Container Store rises on better-than-expected 1^st-quarter results. A systems error grounds every flight United Airlines has around the globe. Plus, the analysts share why they’re keeping a close watch on Baidu and Amazon this earnings season.

2^nd-quarter earnings season kicks off this week. Ron Gross & Morgan Housel analyze the earnings landscape, the strength of the U.S. dollar and why the energy industry is in for some pain. Plus, we discuss the impending sweet IPO that’s coming from Hostess Brands.

Greek voters deliver a resounding “no”. Weight Watchers International gains on activist news. Plus, we analyze the short public life of Xoom, the mobile payment company recently acquired by PayPal.

Unemployment drops to 5.3%, which gives us a chance to discuss the Big Macro. We also analyze BP’s $18.7 billion settlement over the Deepwater Horizon disaster, Whole Foods Market’s apology for overcharges at its NYC locations, and Independence Day.

General Mills struggles with a strong dollar. Plus we dip into the Fool Mailbag to answer listener questions about growth stocks, ethical investing and whether to join shareholder lawsuits. While covering a range of topics, the questions touch on the common theme of “the sleep factor”.

In 2012 ConAgra bought Ralcorp for $5 billion and became the largest producer of private-label food in North America. Today ConAgra waved the white flag and announced it was selling its private-label business.  We analyze the fallout, Disney merging two of its divisions, and the prospect of Harry’s going public.  Jason Moser returns from Hawaii to share a few business observations from the Aloha State.

Greece prepares for a referendum as the debt crisis continues. China’s auditor uncovers corruption at some of the country’s biggest state-owned companies.  Motley Fool Funds portfolio manager Bill Mann analyzes those topics, plus a hot IPO in the UK and a $72 billion-dollar problem in Puerto Rico.

IAC is spinning off Match.com, Tinder and OKCupid. Will an online dating stock be a good match for investors? Plus we analyze Winnebago’s surprising earnings and give a preview of The Motley Fool’s brand new podcast.

Lennar and Monsanto announce earnings that could be a good indicator of things to come. Plus what Netflix’s 7-for-1 stock split means for investors, and why Amazon is coming to a home near you. 

Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia rides off into the sunset. “Jurassic World” and “Inside Out” rule the box office, pushing shares of their respective parent companies to new highs.  Plus we dip into the Fool Mailbag to consider Apple’s buying opportunities and Starbucks’ R&D.

Who gets hurt if Greece leaves the EU? Morgan Housel analyzes the latest drama from Europe.  Plus we discuss the state of financial journalism, advice for and from fathers, and we dip into the Fool Mailbag.

TripAdvisor’s new partnership with Marriott has shares on the rise. Fitbit’s stock soars on opening day, but we’re going to pass for now. Plus we preview CNBC’s documentary on the business of extreme sports and offer investing takeaways from Hawaii.

Three years ago Starbucks bought La Boulange for $100 million. Today Starbucks’ stock hits a new all-time high as the company announces it will close the La Boulange shops. We analyze the move and disagree over whether the coffee giant has figured out food.  Plus we dip into the Fool Mailbag and discuss Under Armour, Markel and FedEx.

Gap announces another round of store closings. Coty shares hit an all-time high after buying 3 businesses from P&G.  Plus, we analyze the state of Twitter as it searches for a new leader.

CVS Health buys Target’s pharmacy & clinic businesses for $1.9 billion.  We discuss why it’s a win for both companies and anaylze why Leapfrog may be on its last legs.  Plus we share highlights from our event in Seattle, including the wisdom of Costco’s Jim Sinegal.

The guys take a look at earnings from Krispy Kreme and Men’s Wearhouse, as well as a big announcement from Lululemon’s founder. Plus Nike has struck a new lucrative deal with the NBA, so where does that leave Under Armour?

Apple’s Worldwide Developer Conference continues, and the teams discusses which announcements shareholders should really be paying attention to. Netflix has hit a new all-time high, but will shares stay up there? Plus it’s time to take a look at the highest-ranked CEO’s on Glassdoor and if there are any surprises on the list.

Lululemon athletica rises as online sales grow 31%. Motley Fool advisor Ron Gross analyzes how West Coast shipping ports delays have affected the apparel retail industry.  Plus we discuss how much trust investors should place in CEOs and the case for investing in Crocs.

Apple’s Worldwide Developer Conference kicks off. Sears plots a turnaround involving a REIT.  Plus, as Dunkin’ Brands becomes the latest restaurant chain (joining Starbucks, Chipotle & McDonald’s) to test delivery, we analyze the opportunities and challenges for the companies and customers.

DISH Network is in talks to merge with T-Mobile, while Lions Gate Entertainment eyes Starz TV.  Motley Fool Canada advisor Jim Gillies calls in to discuss those stories, his interest in Biglari Holdings, the state of the Toronto Blue Jays, and his new real-money portfolio service.  For more details on PRO Canada, just go to http://Pro.Fool.ca

The NFL drafts Yahoo for its first-ever live video stream of a football game, but will the opportunity outweigh the risk for Yahoo? Between Priceline, Expedia, Ctrip and Qunar, how tough is China’s online travel industry? Will Fitbit’s IPO be a hit with long-term investors? Is the sports apparel industry in Europe ripe for consolidation? Motley Fool Funds analysts Bill Barker and Bryan Hinmon discuss those stories, National Doughnut Day and a LOT more on one of the longest episodes in our 5-year history.

May was a big month for U.S. automakers, especially Fiat Chrysler.  Columnist Morgan Housel discusses auto sales, the pros & cons of a strong U.S. dollar, and what he observed on his trip to Grand Cayman.

Intel buys Altera for $16.7 billion. Margin debt reaches a new high. And Men’s Wearhouse founder George Zimmer is back in the clothing business with the launch of “Uber for tailors”.

(Warning….at 14:04 Taylor Muckerman makes a sincerely terrible joke. Listen at your own risk.)

Costco’s same-store sales fell for the first time in 6 years. Shares of Abercrombie & Fitch rise, but we’re still not interested.  Plus we dip into the Fool Mailbag and discuss KFC’s attempt to increase sales by bringing back Colonel Sanders.

Tiffany and Michael Kors report earnings as their stocks head in different directions. Pharmaceutical giant Novartis gets to work on a “robotic pill”.  Plus, Motley Fool Funds analyst Bill Barker shares some money insights from his recent trip to England.