4 UK shares to buy today

These could be some of the best UK shares to buy today considering the underlying growth themes supporting their growth says this Fool.

The content of this article was relevant at the time of publishing. Circumstances change continuously and caution should therefore be exercised when relying upon any content contained within this article.

Thin line graph

Image source: Getty Images

When investing, your capital is at risk. The value of your investments can go down as well as up and you may get back less than you put in.

Read More

The content of this article is provided for information purposes only and is not intended to be, nor does it constitute, any form of personal advice. Investments in a currency other than sterling are exposed to currency exchange risk. Currency exchange rates are constantly changing, which may affect the value of the investment in sterling terms. You could lose money in sterling even if the stock price rises in the currency of origin. Stocks listed on overseas exchanges may be subject to additional dealing and exchange rate charges, and may have other tax implications, and may not provide the same, or any, regulatory protection as in the UK.

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More.

Recently, I have been looking for UK shares to buy today for my portfolio. I have been concentrating on a couple of sectors, which I believe are perfectly positioned to benefit from significant themes in the UK economy. 

These themes include the growing e-commerce industry and housebuilding industry. These sectors are currently experiencing robust growth, driven by rising consumer demand for e-commerce and new properties. 

Here are four companies in the two different sectors that I would buy for my portfolio today. 

Shares to buy for e-commerce

Rather than focusing on individual retailers that may have an edge in the e-commerce sector, I will focus on infrastructure owners. The way I see it, not every company will succeed in the retail market, but every retailer will need a warehouse to fulfil orders. 

With that in mind, I would buy Tritax Big Box REIT. This company focuses on so-called big box retail facilities, which are colossal fulfilment centres used by giant e-commerce retailers. 

Along the same lines, I think FTSE 100 real estate investment trust SEGRO also deserves a place in my portfolio. Like Tritax, the company owns a portfolio of modern warehousing and light industrial property across the UK and Europe. It is larger than Tritax and therefore has more financial firepower to push ahead with new deals. 

These companies benefit from the fact that internet giants do not want to build their own infrastructure, which can be costly and add unnecessary risks. Instead, they lease these properties from corporations like Tritax and SEGRO on long-term contracts that generally have inflation-linked terms. 

This gives these contracts a defensive nature in uncertain times. 

The one challenge these businesses could face is over construction. Money is flooding into the warehouse sector, and there is a chance the market could become oversupplied. This would put pressure on rates and could cause property values to fall. 

UK shares for property 

UK house prices have jumped over the past two years. A lack of supply and rising demand have pushed prices higher. This is good news for homebuilders. These firms are rushing to keep up with increasing demand

I think Berkeley Group is one of the best UK shares to buy today to invest in this theme. The company focuses on the London market and has a strong balance sheet. It plans to return substantial sums to investors over the next few years with dividends and share repurchases.

While Berkeley’s output is relatively modest, with less than 2,000 homes produced in the first half, Bellway produces more than 10,000 homes a year.

Its mass-market approach is the reason why I would also buy this stock alongside Berkeley. I believe this method of buying a builder at the high and low end of the market is the best way to build exposure to the homebuilding sector overall. 

The most considerable risk facing these companies is that of a housing market slowdown. This could hit property prices and force corporations to decrease output to match demand, reducing overall profitability.

Should you invest, the value of your investment may rise or fall and your capital is at risk. Before investing, your individual circumstances should be assessed. Consider taking independent financial advice.

Rupert Hargreaves has no position in any of the shares mentioned. The Motley Fool UK has recommended Tritax Big Box REIT. Views expressed on the companies mentioned in this article are those of the writer and therefore may differ from the official recommendations we make in our subscription services such as Share Advisor, Hidden Winners and Pro. Here at The Motley Fool we believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.

More on Investing Articles

Investing Articles

Up 40% in a year and still yielding 7.5% with a P/E of 8.5! Could this be the best share for me to buy today?

Harvey Jones is impressed by results at British American Tobacco. He thinks it might be the best share to consider…

Read more »

Investing Articles

7% yields and P/Es below 12! Yet I wouldn’t touch these 2 income shares with a bargepole!

Harvey Jones has been tempted by two FTSE 100 income shares that look good value and offer dizzyingly high dividend…

Read more »

British bank notes and coins
Investing Articles

£10 a day of passive income from a £20k Stocks and Shares ISA? Here’s how!

Christopher Ruane walks through some steps an investor could use to target a tenner a day of income from a…

Read more »

Investing Articles

Here’s how scooping up cheap FTSE 100 shares now could help an investor retire early

This writer sees stock market tumbles as an opportunity for the savvy investor to try and bring forward their retirement.…

Read more »

Investing Articles

Are Rolls-Royce shares still a bargain in 2025?

Rolls-Royce shares have been on an incredible run in recent years. Christopher Ruane considers whether he ought to add some…

Read more »

Investing Articles

£10K of savings? Here’s how an investor could use that to target a £2,708 second income

The stock market can be a powerful and simple way to build a second income. Our writer illustrates how someone…

Read more »

Investing Articles

£20,000 in savings? Here’s how it could potentially unlock £888 of passive income each month

Christopher Ruane explains why owning dividend shares can be an appealing passive income idea -- and how it can work…

Read more »

Investing Articles

Is Tesla stock now a brilliant long-term opportunity?

Tesla stock is now half the price it was just a few months ago. Does this dramatic turnaround offer a…

Read more »