Motley Fool stock picks have generated +982% returns since 2002—compared to +188% for the S&P 500 over the same period. That’s not marketing copy. That’s the verified track record of Stock Advisor, their flagship service, which has recommended stocks like Nvidia (+109,551%), Tesla (+22,186%), and Netflix (+51,020%) before they became household names.
This page shows you the actual Motley Fool stock picks—historical winners, current top-ranked recommendations, and exactly how each scorecard performs. We update this monthly with the latest data.
Motley Fool’s Greatest Stock Picks of All Time
These are the verified multi-bagger recommendations that built the Motley Fool’s reputation. Every pick below is documented in Stock Advisor’s scorecard with entry date and return.
The Hall of Fame Picks (10,000%+ Returns)
| Stock | Recommended | Entry Price | Return | Current Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nvidia | Apr 15, 2005 | ~$1.63 (split-adj) | +109,551% | Still rated BUY |
| Netflix | Dec 2004 | ~$1.50 (split-adj) | +51,020% | Multiple re-recommendations |
| Amazon | Sep 2002 | ~$17.00 | +22,000%+ | Core holding since launch |
| Tesla | Nov 23, 2011 | ~$6.00 (split-adj) | +22,186% | High conviction pick |
| Booking Holdings | Oct 2004 | ~$34.00 | +15,000%+ | Long-term compounder |
The Modern Winners (1,000%+ Returns)
| Stock | Recommended | Entry Price | Return | Scorecard |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shopify | Feb 24, 2016 | ~$28.00 | +7,594% | Stock Advisor |
| MercadoLibre | Jul 2009 | ~$18.00 | +6,500%+ | Stock Advisor |
| The Trade Desk | Feb 22, 2017 | ~$33.00 | +1,068% | Rule Breakers |
| MongoDB | Nov 2017 | ~$32.00 | +1,200%+ | Rule Breakers |
| Axon Enterprise | Jul 2016 | ~$24.00 | +1,400%+ | Stock Advisor |
The pattern: These picks were made years before the companies became household names. Nvidia was recommended when it was a $6B company; it’s now worth $3+ trillion. The Motley Fool’s edge is identifying compounders early—and having the conviction to hold.
See Current Stock Advisor Picks — $99/year
Current Motley Fool Stock Picks (What’s Being Recommended Now)
Stock Advisor’s “Foundational Stocks” — The 10 Core Holdings
The Motley Fool publishes a “Foundational Stocks” list—their 10 highest-conviction positions that they believe every subscriber should consider owning. This list is updated quarterly.
Current Foundational Stocks by Risk Profile:
| Risk Level | Companies | Est. Max Drawdown |
|---|---|---|
| Cautious | Large-cap tech leaders, healthcare innovators, established platforms | -25% to -35% |
| Moderate | Growth platforms, cloud infrastructure, fintech leaders | -35% to -45% |
| Aggressive | Disruptive innovators, EV/space, high-growth software | -45% to -59% |
We cannot reveal specific current picks due to subscription terms, but the Foundational Stocks list includes a mix of:
- 2-3 mega-cap technology leaders
- 2-3 high-growth platform companies
- 2-3 healthcare/biotech innovators
- 2-3 emerging disruptors
Stock Advisor’s “Top 10 Stocks to Buy Now” — Monthly Rankings
Each month (4th Thursday), Stock Advisor publishes a ranked list of their best current opportunities. These are re-rankings of existing recommendations based on current conviction levels.
How the Top 10 Rankings Work:
- Stocks are scored using the proprietary “Quant: 5Y” system
- Each stock shows estimated 5-year return range and max drawdown
- Rankings shift based on valuation, business momentum, and market conditions
- The same stock can move from #1 to #8 (or off the list) month-to-month
What subscribers report seeing in the Top 10:
- Mix of mega-caps and mid-caps
- Heavy weighting toward technology and healthcare
- Some positions held since 2002, some from past 2 years
- Typical quant scores of 85-99 for top-ranked picks
Recent Stock Advisor Picks (Last 6 Months)
Specific ticker symbols cannot be revealed, but here’s what types of companies Stock Advisor has recommended:
| Month | Sector | Company Type | Risk Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 2024 | Infrastructure | Data center construction leader | Moderate |
| Dec 2024 | Technology | AI semiconductor player | Aggressive |
| Nov 2024 | Healthcare | Medical device innovator | Moderate |
| Nov 2024 | Consumer | E-commerce platform | Moderate |
| Oct 2024 | Technology | Cloud security leader | Aggressive |
| Oct 2024 | Financials | Digital payments platform | Moderate |
| Sep 2024 | Technology | Enterprise software | Moderate |
| Sep 2024 | Healthcare | Biotech platform | Aggressive |
Recent pick characteristics:
- Average estimated return range: 8% to 25% annually
- Average estimated max drawdown: -35% to -50%
- Mix of 60% Moderate, 40% Aggressive risk ratings
- Strong emphasis on AI infrastructure and healthcare innovation
Get Access to Current Stock Advisor Picks
Rule Breakers Current Picks — Aggressive Growth Focus
Rule Breakers (included in Epic, $299/year) focuses on disruptive innovators with higher volatility and potential.
Recent Rule Breakers Recommendations
| Month | Sector | Company Type | Return Since Pick |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 2024 | Technology | Design software platform | +25%* |
| Nov 2024 | Healthcare | Biotech innovator | +85%* |
| Nov 2024 | Technology | Medical technology | +100%* |
| Oct 2024 | Consumer | Social media platform | +25%* |
| Oct 2024 | Technology | Emerging markets fintech | -22%* |
Returns are approximate and change daily. Some picks outperform immediately; others take years to work.
Rule Breakers pick profile:
- Higher volatility than Stock Advisor (expect -50%+ drawdowns)
- Focus on companies with 5-10 year runway for disruption
- Willing to recommend at higher valuations if growth justifies
- Some 2024 picks already showing 50-100%+ gains
Hidden Gems Current Picks — Small-Cap Opportunities
Hidden Gems (included in Epic, $299/year) is Tom Gardner’s small-cap hunting ground—overlooked opportunities the flagship services miss.
What Makes Hidden Gems Different
| Characteristic | Stock Advisor | Hidden Gems |
|---|---|---|
| Typical Market Cap | $50B+ | $1B-$20B |
| Analyst Coverage | Heavy | Light/None |
| Volatility | Moderate | High |
| Discovery Stage | Established leaders | Rising challengers |
Recent Hidden Gems characteristics:
- Companies with $2-15B market caps
- Often in industrials, healthcare, technology sectors
- Lower institutional ownership = more upside potential
- Higher risk but differentiated from SA/RB picks
Motley Fool Stock Picks by Sector — What They’re Buying
Current Portfolio Allocation (Across All Scorecards)
Based on the Foundational Stocks and Top 10 rankings, here’s where Motley Fool is concentrated:
| Sector | Approximate Weight | Example Themes |
|---|---|---|
| Technology | ~45% | AI infrastructure, cloud, cybersecurity, semiconductors |
| Healthcare | ~20% | Biotech platforms, medical devices, diagnostics |
| Consumer | ~15% | E-commerce, digital platforms, experiences |
| Financials | ~10% | Fintech, digital payments, insurance tech |
| Industrials | ~10% | Infrastructure, aerospace, automation |
The AI Theme — Heavily Represented
The Motley Fool has been aggressively recommending AI-related stocks. Their “AI Playbook” (Epic Plus, $1,999/year) specifically scores stocks on:
- Technological infrastructure and AI capabilities
- Potential for AI-driven business transformation
- Current AI implementation quality
AI-adjacent picks across scorecards include:
- Semiconductor companies powering AI training
- Cloud infrastructure providers
- Enterprise software embedding AI features
- Data center construction and power companies
Motley Fool Stock Picks Performance by Vintage Year
Not all picks are created equal. When you subscribed dramatically affects your returns.
Pick Performance by Recommendation Year
| Vintage Year | Avg Return | Win Rate | Notable Picks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002-2005 | +2,500%+ | 85%+ | Nvidia, Amazon, Netflix, Booking |
| 2006-2010 | +800%+ | 78% | MercadoLibre, early cloud plays |
| 2011-2015 | +450%+ | 75% | Tesla, Shopify (2016), platform companies |
| 2016-2019 | +180%+ | 71% | Trade Desk, MongoDB, fintech leaders |
| 2020-2021 | -15% to +30% | 35-45% | Growth bubble picks, still recovering |
| 2022-2024 | +25% to +60% | 62% | Post-correction opportunities |
The 2020-2021 Vintage Problem
Picks from the growth stock bubble remain challenging:
- Many 2021 picks are still down 40-70%
- The service philosophy says “hold” but conviction is tested
- Some positions have been moved to “Penalty Box” status
- Win rate for this vintage: 35-39%
What this means for new subscribers: You’re not buying the 2021 picks at their entry prices. Current recommendations benefit from the valuation reset.
What Subscribers Actually See: Inside Stock Advisor
A Typical Stock Advisor Recommendation Includes:
- Foolish Thesis — 3-5 bullet points on why to buy
- Risk Classification — Cautious, Moderate, or Aggressive
- Quant Projections:
- Estimated annualized return (40th-60th percentile range)
- Estimated max drawdown (-25% to -60%)
- 5-year outperformance probability
- Business Analysis:
- What the company does
- Competitive advantages (“moat”)
- Growth drivers and catalysts
- Risk Factors — Explicit “what could go wrong”
- Portfolio Fit — Who this is and isn’t for
Example Recommendation Format (Anonymized)
[Company Name] — Moderate Risk
Foolish Thesis:
- Leading position in $50B+ addressable market
- 85% gross margins with improving operating leverage
- Management team with proven capital allocation track record
- AI tailwinds accelerating customer adoption
Projections:
- Est. Annualized Return: 11% to 18%
- Est. Max Drawdown: -36%
- Quant: 5Y Score: 87
The Bottom Line: This is a high-quality compounder suitable for the core of most portfolios. The valuation is fair, not cheap, but the business quality justifies a premium. Expect volatility in the 30% range. If you can’t hold through that, this pick isn’t for you.
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The Quick Answer: Which Motley Fool Stock Pick Service Should You Choose?
| Service | Price | Monthly Picks | Best For | Track Record Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stock Advisor | $99/yr (promo) | 2 | Buy-and-hold investors, $25K+ | +982% since 2002 |
| Epic | $299/yr (promo) | 5 | Diversified exposure, $50K+ | 4 scorecards combined |
| Rule Breakers | Included in Epic | 1 | Aggressive growth hunters | +348% since 2004 |
| Epic Plus | $1,999/yr | 8+ daily | AI-focused, $100K+ | Daily Moneyball picks |
| Fool Portfolios | $3,999/yr | 10+ daily | Tom Gardner’s holdings, $250K+ | 35 real-money portfolios |
| Fool One | $13,999/yr | 30+ | Complete access, $500K+ | Everything included |
The 30-second decision framework:
- Just starting out? Stock Advisor at $99/year — the original, the flagship, the 23-year track record
- Want more picks + diversification? Epic at $299/year — 4 scorecards, 5 picks monthly
- Six-figure portfolio? Epic Plus at $1,999/year — AI-driven Moneyball system, daily picks
- Want Tom Gardner’s actual holdings? Fool Portfolios at $3,999/year — 35 real-money portfolios
Motley Fool Stock Picks That Didn’t Work — The Losers
Any honest assessment must include the picks that failed. The Motley Fool’s scorecard shows everything—winners and losers alike.
The Biggest Stock Advisor Losses
| Stock | Recommended | Entry Price | Current Return | What Happened |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Various 2021 growth picks | 2021 | At peak | -60% to -80% | Growth bubble collapse |
| Streaming challengers | 2020-2021 | Near highs | -70%+ | Competition intensified |
| Fintech disruptors | 2021 | At peak | -65%+ | Rising rates crushed valuations |
| EV/clean energy plays | 2021 | At peak | -50% to -75% | Hype exceeded fundamentals |
The Honest Math on Losses
- ~35% of all Stock Advisor picks lose money
- 2020-2021 vintage shows 35-39% win rate (vs 67% historical)
- Some positions down 80-90% are still marked “BUY” per the hold philosophy
- The Penalty Box section explicitly addresses underperformers
Why the Strategy Still Works
The asymmetric math: Losers can only lose 100%, but winners can return 1,000%+.
| Category | Average Return |
|---|---|
| Winners | +233% |
| Losers | -37% |
| Ratio | 6:1 |
One Nvidia (+109,551%) pays for dozens of -50% losers. The strategy requires accepting losses as the cost of capturing multi-baggers.
The psychological reality: Most investors can’t watch a position drop 50% and hold. They sell the losers and—critically—also sell the winners too early. The methodology works mathematically; it fails psychologically for most subscribers.
Motley Fool Stock Picks: The Complete Scorecard Breakdown
The Motley Fool doesn’t just have “stock picks.” They operate multiple scorecards—each with a distinct methodology, lead analyst, and track record. Understanding these scorecards is essential because the same company might appear in multiple services, but the investment thesis and entry timing differ.
Stock Advisor: The Flagship ($99-199/year)
What it is: The Motley Fool’s original stock-picking service, launched in February 2002. Two new recommendations per month, focused on long-term growth companies.
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The Track Record:
| Metric | Stock Advisor | S&P 500 |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (since 2002) | +982% | +188% |
| Outperformance | +766% | — |
| Win Rate (10+ year holds) | 91.9% | — |
| Average Return (10+ year holds) | 3,951% | — |
Notable Historical Picks:
- Nvidia: Recommended 4/15/2005 → +109,551%
- Tesla: Recommended 11/23/2011 → +22,186%
- Netflix: Recommended multiple times → +51,020%
- Shopify: Recommended 2/24/2016 → +7,594%
- The Trade Desk: Recommended 2/22/2017 → +1,068%
The Methodology:
Stock Advisor follows six core principles:
- Buy 25+ companies over time — diversification is structural, not optional
- Hold for 5+ years minimum — shorter horizons are “gambling with investment money”
- Add new savings regularly — cash availability enables opportunistic buying
- Hold through volatility — expect 10% drops annually, 20% every four years, 30% every decade
- Let winners run — don’t trim positions just because they’ve appreciated
- Target long-term returns — 5 to 25-year compounding, not quarterly performance
What You Get:
- 2 new stock picks per month (2nd and 4th Thursdays)
- Foundational Stocks list — 10 highest-conviction core holdings
- Rankings (Top 10 Stocks to Buy Now) — monthly update
- Portfolio Strategies — Cautious, Moderate, Aggressive frameworks
- Moneyball database — 344 stocks with quantitative scoring
- Quant projections — estimated returns and max drawdown on every pick
The Real Trade-Off: Stock Advisor picks held less than 1 year show only a 57% win rate with 11.4% average returns. The magic happens at 5-10 years (74% win rate, 166% avg) and 10+ years (91.9% win rate, 3,951% avg). If you can’t hold through 30-50% drawdowns, you’ll never capture these returns.
Pricing:
- Promotional: $99/year (new members)
- Regular: $199/year
- Refund: 30-day money-back guarantee
Try Stock Advisor — 30-Day Guarantee
Rule Breakers: The Aggressive Growth Arm
What it is: The Motley Fool’s high-growth disruptor service, launched in 2004. Focuses on innovative companies reshaping their industries before the market recognizes their potential.
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The Track Record:
| Metric | Rule Breakers | S&P 500 |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (since 2004) | +348% | +166% |
| Win Rate (overall) | ~72% | — |
| Win Rate (10+ years) | 96% | — |
| Average Return (10+ years) | 425% | — |
The Asymmetric Math:
Rule Breakers winners average +233%, losers average -37%. That’s a 6:1 ratio. Even if you pick more losers than winners, the math works over time. This is the core philosophy: you don’t need to be right most of the time—you need to be right on the big ones and let them run.
The Holding Period Reality:
| Holding Period | Win Rate | Avg Return |
|---|---|---|
| < 1 Year | 60% | 7.5% |
| 1-3 Years | 68% | 30% |
| 5-10 Years | 74% | 166% |
| 10+ Years | 96% | 425% |
Key Insight: David Gardner, co-founder and original Rule Breakers lead, stepped back from active stock picking in May 2021. The analyst team now manages all recommendations using his criteria. This is important: you’re buying into a methodology, not a personality.
Availability: Rule Breakers is NOT sold standalone. It’s included in:
- Epic ($299-499/year)
- Epic Plus ($1,999/year)
- Fool Portfolios ($3,999/year)
- Fool One ($13,999/year)
The 2020-2021 Vintage Problem: Picks from the growth bubble era show 35-39% win rates and many positions remain down 70-90%. The service’s philosophy says hold—but if you subscribed during peak valuations, your experience has been dramatically worse than the historical average.
Hidden Gems: Tom Gardner’s Small-Cap Hunting Ground
What it is: A scorecard focused on overlooked opportunities across all market sectors, led personally by co-founder Tom Gardner (unlike most other scorecards which are analyst-led).
Why It Matters: Hidden Gems is the most differentiated offering in the Motley Fool ecosystem. While Stock Advisor and Rule Breakers often overlap on large-cap growth names, Hidden Gems hunts for “hidden winners in plain sight”—small and mid-caps that larger services overlook.
Availability: Included in Epic and higher tiers only.
Tom Gardner’s Active Role: This is one of the few scorecards where a co-founder is actively involved in stock selection. Tom also leads:
- Moneyball Portfolio (daily picks)
- Moneymakers Portfolios (5 real-money portfolios)
- AI Playbook
- Everlasting Portfolio (his personal holdings)
Dividend Investor: The Income Play
What it is: Income-focused scorecard recommending dividend stocks and real estate investments.
The Track Record Challenge:
| Metric | Dividend Investor | S&P 500 |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (6 years) | +9.55% | +54.15% |
| Underperformance | -44.6% | — |
| Win Rate | ~64% | — |
The Honest Assessment: Dividend Investor has significantly lagged the market. If total return matters to you, this scorecard hasn’t delivered. Consider it a checkbox feature rather than a core value driver of Epic membership.
Availability: Included in Epic and higher tiers only.
The Epic Bundle: 4 Scorecards, 5 Picks Monthly ($299-499/year)
Epic is The Motley Fool’s mid-tier bundle combining four scorecards:
| Scorecard | Picks/Month | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Stock Advisor | 2 | Balanced growth |
| Rule Breakers | 1 | Aggressive disruptors |
| Hidden Gems | 1 | Overlooked opportunities |
| Dividend Investor | 1 | Income focus |
What Epic Adds Beyond Stock Advisor:
- 3 additional monthly picks
- Moneyball database expanded to 340+ companies (vs 190+ in SA)
- Full Fool IQ access with quant projections
- Complete GamePlan+ financial planning suite
- Multiple portfolio strategy frameworks
The Value Proposition: At $299/year promotional pricing, you’re getting 4 services for roughly $75 each. If you have $50K+ to invest and want diversified exposure across growth, small-cap, and income strategies, Epic makes sense.
The Dividend Investor Caveat: Given the -44.6% underperformance vs S&P 500, you’re really paying for 3 scorecards. Factor that into your decision.
Try Epic — 4 Scorecards, $299/year
Epic Plus: AI-Powered Picks & Daily Recommendations ($1,999/year)
Epic Plus represents The Motley Fool’s push into AI-driven investing. At $1,999/year—4x the price of Epic—it adds substantial features for six-figure portfolios.
What Epic Plus Adds:
| Feature | Epic | Epic Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Picks | 5 | 8+ |
| Daily Moneyball Recommendations | ❌ | ✅ (up to 250/year) |
| AI Playbook Portfolio | ❌ | ✅ |
| Moneyball Database | 340+ companies | 3,500+ companies |
| Moneymakers Portfolios | ❌ | 5 real-money portfolios |
| Options Strategies | ❌ | ✅ |
| Additional Scorecards | — | Trends, Value Hunters, Global Partners |
The AI Playbook: Tom Gardner’s AI-powered scoring system evaluates stocks on:
- Technological infrastructure and capabilities
- AI-driven business transformation potential
- Current AI implementation quality
The Moneyball Portfolio: Real-money portfolio with daily stock guidance (up to 250 recommendations/year). Tom Gardner applies valuation analysis and the proprietary Moneyball database to craft positions.
Who It’s For: Investors with $100,000+ portfolios who want:
- Daily actionable ideas (not just 5 picks/month)
- AI-focused investment thesis
- Options trading strategies
- Deeper research database (3,500+ vs 340+ companies)
The Refund Reality: Epic Plus does NOT offer a full refund. The “30-day guarantee” is a credit swap to Epic—you lose the $1,500 difference. This is a significant departure from Stock Advisor and Epic’s full money-back policies.
Fool Portfolios: Tom Gardner’s Everlasting Portfolio ($3,999/year)
Fool Portfolios is where The Motley Fool stops recommending stocks and starts showing you exactly what they own.
The Crown Jewel: Everlasting Portfolio
This is the only portfolio showing “the only stocks Tom personally owns.” Not recommendations for others—his actual holdings. Complete transparency into the co-founder’s investment decisions.
What Fool Portfolios Adds:
| Feature | Epic Plus | Fool Portfolios |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Picks | 8+ | 10+ |
| Real-Money Portfolios | 6 | 35 |
| Tom’s Personal Holdings | ❌ | ✅ (Everlasting Portfolio) |
| Cryptoball Database | ❌ | 800+ cryptocurrencies |
| White-Glove Support | ❌ | Investor Solutions team |
| Additional Scorecards | — | Firecrackers, Digital Explorers |
Who It’s For: Investors with $250,000+ portfolios who:
- Want to mirror Tom Gardner’s actual investment decisions
- Value complete transparency over recommendations
- Need cryptocurrency research coverage
- Want white-glove support for portfolio guidance
The Refund Reality: Like Epic Plus, Fool Portfolios offers only a credit swap (to Epic Plus)—you lose $2,000 of your $3,999 investment.
Fool One: Complete Access ($13,999/year)
The all-access tier for high-net-worth investors with $500,000+ portfolios.
What’s Included:
- Every Motley Fool service and scorecard
- 30+ monthly stock picks
- Fool One Portfolio with quarterly rebalancing
- Microball Database (2,500+ microcap companies)
- Exclusive events and early tool access
- Ultimate Income and Fool Worldwide scorecards
Who It’s For: Investors who want everything and have the portfolio size to justify $14K/year in subscription costs. See our Fool One review for the complete breakdown.
Motley Fool Stock Picks: Performance Deep Dive
The Headline Numbers
| Service | Total Return | vs S&P 500 | Time Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stock Advisor | +982% | +766% | 23 years |
| Rule Breakers | +348% | +176% | 21 years |
| Hidden Gems | +65% | +3% | 7 years |
| Dividend Investor | +9.55% | -44.6% | 6 years |
What the Numbers Don’t Tell You
1. Entry Point Matters Enormously
The +982% return is for someone who subscribed in February 2002 and held every recommendation. If you subscribed in 2021 at peak growth valuations, your experience looks nothing like that.
2. Holding Period Is Non-Negotiable
Stock Advisor picks by holding period:
| Period | Win Rate | Avg Return |
|---|---|---|
| < 1 year | 57% | 11.4% |
| 5-10 years | 74% | 166% |
| 10+ years | 91.9% | 3,951% |
The methodology only works for investors who can actually hold.
3. Volatility Is the Price of Admission
Stock Advisor’s biggest winners have all crashed at some point:
- Netflix: Multiple 50%+ drawdowns
- Tesla: 80%+ drawdowns in 2022
- Individual picks: Expected max drawdowns of 30-60%
If you’d have panic-sold during any of these drops, you’d have missed the multi-thousand-percent gains that followed.
4. ~35% of Picks Lose Money
The strategy is asymmetric: losers are limited (you can only lose 100%), but winners can run 1,000%+. Selling winners at +100% would forfeit 72.5% of total returns.
Which Motley Fool Service Fits Your Portfolio?
The Portfolio Size Decision Tree
| Your Portfolio | Recommended Service | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Under $25K | Stock Advisor ($99/yr) | Focus on core methodology first |
| $25K-$50K | Stock Advisor ($199/yr) | 2 picks/month is sufficient |
| $50K-$100K | Epic ($299-499/yr) | Diversified exposure, 4 scorecards |
| $100K-$250K | Epic Plus ($1,999/yr) | Daily ideas, AI research, options |
| $250K-$500K | Fool Portfolios ($3,999/yr) | Real-money portfolios, Tom’s holdings |
| $500K+ | Fool One ($13,999/yr) | Complete access |
The Investor Type Decision Matrix
If you’re a patient buy-and-hold investor: → Start with Stock Advisor. The 23-year track record, simple 2 picks/month format, and 5+ year philosophy match your style.
If you want aggressive growth exposure: → Epic gives you Rule Breakers and Hidden Gems alongside Stock Advisor. Higher volatility, higher potential.
If you want AI-driven research: → Epic Plus unlocks the full Moneyball database (3,500+ companies), AI Playbook, and daily recommendations.
If you want to mirror exactly what Motley Fool invests: → Fool Portfolios shows you Tom Gardner’s personal holdings and 35 real-money portfolios.
The Upsell Reality: What to Expect
Every Motley Fool subscriber reports the same experience: constant pressure to upgrade.
What you’ll encounter:
- Every article ends with an Epic Plus pitch
- “The $2 Million AI Strategy” promotions
- Gated features that require higher tiers
- Moneyball Portfolio access limited to Epic Plus+
The honest assessment: The upsells are relentless but not intrusive. The core offering at each tier is complete—you don’t need to upgrade. But you’ll be reminded constantly that there’s a “better” version.
The healthy approach: Max out your current tier before upgrading. If you’re not following every Stock Advisor recommendation, you don’t need Epic. If you’re not using all 5 Epic picks, you don’t need Epic Plus.
Motley Fool Stock Picks FAQ
Are Motley Fool stock picks worth it?
Motley Fool Stock Advisor has returned +982% since 2002 versus +188% for the S&P 500—a 5x outperformance over 23 years. But those returns required holding through multiple 30-50% drawdowns and maintaining 5+ year holding periods. At $99-199/year, the subscription cost is trivial compared to potential returns—one multi-bagger pays for decades of subscriptions. The question isn’t whether the picks are worth it; it’s whether you can follow the methodology that makes them work.
What are the best Motley Fool stock picks?
Motley Fool’s best historical picks include Nvidia (+109,551% since 2005), Tesla (+22,186% since 2011), Netflix (+51,020%), Shopify (+7,594% since 2016), and The Trade Desk (+1,068% since 2017). Currently, Stock Advisor publishes a “Top 10 Stocks to Buy Now” ranking updated monthly, plus a “Foundational Stocks” list of 10 highest-conviction core holdings. These rankings change based on market conditions and valuation.
What is the difference between Stock Advisor and Rule Breakers?
Stock Advisor is the flagship service focusing on balanced growth with a 23-year track record (+982% returns). Rule Breakers is more aggressive, targeting disruptive innovators with higher volatility and potential. Stock Advisor is available standalone ($99-199/year); Rule Breakers is only available bundled in Epic ($299-499/year) or higher tiers. Rule Breakers has a shorter track record (+348% since 2004) but higher win rates at the 10+ year mark (96% vs 91.9%).
Can I cancel Motley Fool stock picks?
Stock Advisor and Epic offer 30-day full money-back guarantees—no questions asked. Epic Plus and higher tiers offer only a “credit swap” (transfer to a lower tier, not a cash refund). To cancel: contact Member Support at [email protected], call (888) 665-3665 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm EST), or use the Customer Service Contact Form. All subscriptions auto-renew at then-current list price unless cancelled.
How often does Motley Fool release stock picks?
Stock Advisor releases 2 new picks per month (2nd and 4th Thursdays). Epic releases 5 picks monthly across 4 scorecards. Epic Plus releases 8+ monthly plus daily Moneyball recommendations (up to 250/year). The “Top 10 Stocks to Buy Now” ranking updates monthly on the 4th Thursday. Foundational Stocks and Moneyball scores update quarterly.
What is the Motley Fool Everlasting Portfolio?
The Everlasting Portfolio is Tom Gardner’s personal real-money portfolio—“the only stocks Tom personally owns.” It’s not a recommendation service; it shows his actual holdings with complete transparency. Access requires Fool Portfolios ($3,999/year) or Fool One ($13,999/year). The Everlasting Portfolio is positioned as the key differentiator of Fool Portfolios, providing alignment between what Tom recommends and what he personally invests. See our Fool Portfolios review for the full analysis.
Is Motley Fool better than the S&P 500?
Stock Advisor has outperformed the S&P 500 by +766 percentage points since 2002 (+982% vs +188%). However, individual results vary dramatically based on when you subscribed and whether you held through volatility. Recent vintage picks (2020-2021) have underperformed due to growth stock corrections. The methodology works over 5-10+ year periods but requires psychological resilience most investors lack.
What happened to David Gardner?
David Gardner, Motley Fool co-founder and original Rule Breakers lead, stepped back from active stock picking in May 2021. He now focuses on education through the Rule Breaker Investing podcast and The Motley Fool Foundation. He does NOT make stock picks for any current Motley Fool service. All scorecards are now managed by analyst teams using established methodologies. See our complete Motley Fool review for more on the company’s history and leadership.
What are Motley Fool’s current stock picks?
Stock Advisor releases 2 new picks on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month. Current recommendations focus heavily on AI infrastructure, healthcare innovation, and high-quality compounders. The “Foundational Stocks” list includes 10 core holdings across Cautious, Moderate, and Aggressive risk profiles. The “Top 10 Stocks to Buy Now” ranking updates monthly with highest-conviction current opportunities. Specific tickers require an active subscription ($99/year).
What stocks has Motley Fool recommended in 2024?
In 2024, Motley Fool Stock Advisor has recommended companies in: data center infrastructure, AI semiconductors, medical devices, e-commerce platforms, cloud security, digital payments, enterprise software, and biotech. Recent picks show an average estimated return of 8-25% annually with estimated max drawdowns of -35% to -50%. The service has maintained its emphasis on technology (~45% of recommendations) and healthcare (~20%).
Are Motley Fool stock picks leaked online?
Some sites claim to reveal Motley Fool picks, but these are typically outdated recommendations from months or years ago. The value of Motley Fool isn’t knowing what they recommend—it’s understanding why and having access to ongoing coverage, sell alerts, and the research framework. Leaked picks without context often lead to poor entry timing and no exit strategy. The $99/year subscription cost is trivial compared to the risk of acting on stale information.
What is the Motley Fool’s best stock pick ever?
Nvidia is Motley Fool’s best-performing stock pick, returning +109,551% since the April 15, 2005 recommendation. At the time, Nvidia was a $6 billion graphics card company; it’s now worth over $3 trillion as the dominant AI chip supplier. Other legendary picks include Netflix (+51,020%), Amazon (+22,000%+), and Tesla (+22,186%). The common thread: all were recommended years before becoming household names.
How many stock picks does Motley Fool give per month?
Stock Advisor provides 2 picks per month. Epic provides 5 picks per month (across 4 scorecards). Epic Plus provides 8+ picks per month plus daily Moneyball recommendations (up to 250/year). Fool Portfolios provides 10+ picks per month plus daily Moneyball. Fool One provides 30+ picks per month with complete access to all services.
Does Motley Fool tell you when to sell?
Yes. Stock Advisor issues explicit “SELL” recommendations when the investment thesis breaks, though these are rare (the philosophy favors holding). The service also maintains a “Penalty Box” section addressing underperforming positions with updated analysis. Each pick includes estimated max drawdown so you know the expected volatility upfront. The methodology recommends holding through most declines but provides sell guidance when fundamentals deteriorate.
What is a Motley Fool “Double Down” stock?
A “Double Down” alert indicates extremely high conviction on an existing recommendation. When Motley Fool believes a position deserves increased allocation—often after a price decline creates a better entry—they issue a Double Down. These are essentially re-recommendations for existing picks. Historical data shows re-recommended stocks have 144% average returns, though single recommendations actually average higher at 194%.
The Bottom Line: Choosing Your Motley Fool Stock Pick Service
The Motley Fool has built a 23-year track record that’s genuinely impressive. Stock Advisor’s +982% return is real and verified. The multi-thousand-percent winners are documented. The methodology works—for investors who can actually follow it.
The question isn’t which tier has the “best” picks. It’s which tier matches your:
- Portfolio size (subscription cost as % of assets)
- Time horizon (5+ years is non-negotiable)
- Risk tolerance (can you hold through 50% drawdowns?)
- Engagement level (2 picks/month vs daily ideas)
For most investors: Stock Advisor at $99/year is the right starting point. The 30-day money-back guarantee means you can see the platform, access the recommendations, and decide if the methodology fits your investing personality. Read our complete Stock Advisor review for the full analysis.
For investors with $50K+: Epic at $299/year provides diversified exposure across 4 scorecards without the premium pricing of higher tiers. See our Epic review for details.
The bigger risk isn’t picking the “wrong” Motley Fool service. It’s spending another year researching while your money sits in cash earning less than inflation. Or subscribing, panicking during the first drawdown, and quitting before the methodology can work.
Imperfect action beats perfect paralysis. Every time.
Explore all your options in our guide to the best stock advisors.