The best UK shares to buy with £5k

Rupert Hargreaves explains why he thinks these companies are the best UK shares to buy for his portfolio today.

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.

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.

I think some of the best UK shares to buy right now are high-quality companies that have fallen on hard times. I also believe there are some fantastic opportunities in the mid-cap growth section of the market. With that in mind, here’s a selection of businesses I’d buy for my portfolio with £5,000 today. 

Mid-cap growth

Some of the best UK shares to buy are growth investments. Two such companies are Premier Foods and Reach. I’ve been following these stories for several years. Both exited the financial crisis on life support, and they’ve been in recovery mode for the majority of the time since. 

However, last year was an inflection point for both firms. Premier achieved windfall profits as the demand for home baking goods and cakes jumped. Meanwhile, Reach’s user base surged as suck-at-home consumers turned to its online news sites for information. 

Should you invest £1,000 in Hurricane Energy Plc right now?

When investing expert Mark Rogers has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the flagship Motley Fool Share Advisor newsletter he has run for nearly a decade has provided thousands of paying members with top stock recommendations from the UK and US markets. And right now, Mark thinks there are 6 standout stocks that investors should consider buying. Want to see if Hurricane Energy Plc made the list?

See the 6 stocks

In both cases, these companies have used their windfall profits to reduce debts and invest in growth. This is why I think these are some of the best UK shares to buy and would acquire both for my £5k portfolio. 

Some challenges they may face as we advance include competition and rising costs, both of which could eat into profit margins and slow growth. As turnaround plays, these companies may not be suitable for all investors. 

Best UK shares to buy

As well as Reach and Premier Foods, I think some of the best UK shares to buy can be found in the property sector.

Commercial property values plunged last year as brick-and-mortar stores were forced into lockdown closures. However, I think the market has overreacted in some cases, presenting exciting opportunities for investors. 

Rather than buying any old property organisations, I’d focus on the best. A good example is Great Portland Estates, which owns a portfolio of commercial properties in and around London’s West End. 

Activity is returning to the area and, in this trophy property market, buyers are still willing to pay high prices. Great Portland has seen rising demand for its office properties, and occupancy’s recovering across the portfolio. 

A company with a more diversified portfolio is Landsec. Once again, this real estate investment trust has an extensive portfolio of London property, but it also owns other properties around the UK, such as shopping centres. This diversification proved to be invaluable throughout the pandemic. 

I’d buy both Landsec and Great Portland for my portfolio today. I think they are some of the best UK shares to buy for the reasons outlined above. They are also both trading at discounted valuations, as investors are still wary of the property sector. 

Some challenges they may face as we advance include higher interest rates, which could push property prices lower. The reintroduction of coronavirus restrictions could also impact their recoveries.

Should you invest £1,000 in Hurricane Energy Plc right now?

When investing expert Mark Rogers has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the flagship Motley Fool Share Advisor newsletter he has run for nearly a decade has provided thousands of paying members with top stock recommendations from the UK and US markets.

And right now, Mark thinks there are 6 standout stocks that investors should consider buying. Want to see if Hurricane Energy Plc made the list?

See the 6 stocks

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 owns shares in Great Portland Estates. The Motley Fool UK has recommended Landsec. 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

Concept of two young professional men looking at a screen in a technological data centre
Investing Articles

1 world-class AI stock to consider buying in June

Looking for a top-notch artificial intelligence stock to buy in June? Our writer thinks this one, trading at a reasonable…

Read more »

Three signposts pointing in different directions, with 'Buy' 'Sell' and 'Hold' on
Investing Articles

3 FTSE 100 stocks to consider buying in June, with news expected

We might not have much in the way of FTSE 100 company results coming our way in June, but these…

Read more »

UK financial background: share prices and stock graph overlaid on an image of the Union Jack
Investing Articles

Forecast: in 12 months this dirt-cheap FTSE growth share could turn £10k into…

Harvey Jones thought this FTSE 100 growth share was ripe for a recovery, but it has been a rotten investment…

Read more »

Smiling young man sitting in cafe and checking messages, with his laptop in front of him.
Investing Articles

Try this quick 5-step passive income stock checklist today

I like my passive income stock picks to score as high as they can on my five-step checklist. Let's see…

Read more »

Fans of Warren Buffett taking his photo
Investing Articles

£10,000 invested with Warren Buffett 5 years ago is now worth…

When it comes to Warren Buffett and Berkshire Hathaway, short term opportunities might come and go. But the long term…

Read more »

Illustration of flames over a black background
Investing Articles

These FTSE 250 stocks are red hot! Time to consider buying?

Paul Summers picks out two mid-cap stocks that have massively outperformed the FTSE 250. Can the momentum continue for the…

Read more »

Shot of an young mixed-race woman using her cellphone while out cycling through the city
Investing Articles

These 3 fast-growing UK stocks all have P/Es under 10! Are they unmissable bargains? 

Harvey Jones plucks three UK stocks from the FTSE 100 whose shares have soared in recent years, yet still look…

Read more »

Middle-aged Caucasian woman deep in thought while looking out of the window
Investing Articles

Should investors pass on Lloyds shares for this lesser known bank?

With Lloyds shares not as cheap as they were and Dr James Fox on the lookout for undervalued financial stocks,…

Read more »