2 cheap UK shares to buy in October

With UK share prices falling recently, Harshil Patel considers some potential bargains for his portfolio this month.

| More on:

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.

Halloween pumpkins on the graveyard

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.

sdf

Today I’m looking at good-quality UK shares that have fallen in price in recent weeks or months. Shares can fall for a number of reasons. It can be related to wider economic issues, industry-wide concerns, or company-specific news. Sometimes shares can also fall if market sentiment temporarily turns lower.

UK mid-cap shares seem to have fallen quite a bit recently. Despite gaining around 25% over the past year, the FTSE 250 index has dipped by around 8% in just a few weeks. I reckon there could be some bargains around for my portfolio. Let’s take a further look.

Top quality UK shares

Games Workshop (LSE:GAW) is a phenomenal company, in my opinion. It’s a Nottingham-based manufacturer of fantasy miniatures that it sells all over the world. It’s well-run, and benefits from fantastic returns and profit margins.

Should you invest £1,000 in Computacenter 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 Computacenter Plc made the list?

See the 6 stocks

It owns a substantial universe of intellectual property (IP) with hundreds of different characters. In addition to the games and miniatures, it has been partnering with game and TV companies to monetise its IP. Royalties earned from this are highly profitable.

The company has been expanding its warehouse capacity recently. I reckon this is a good sign and shows management planning for a brighter future.

After a phenomenal 84% share price return in 2020, performance over the past year has been more muted. This mid-cap share is now down by almost 10% over the past 12 months. That said, recent share price weakness is an opportunity to snap up this business at a bargain price, in my opinion.

Bear in mind, there is an issue currently affecting many manufacturers. That is rising costs from materials, transport and wages. Whether this is temporary or persists for longer is a factor to watch. In addition, it remains to be seen if ‘lockdown customers’ become ongoing customers.

Overall, there’s much to like about these quality UK shares. With a 64% return on capital, and 40%+ profit margins, I’m impressed.

I’d buy IT

Another good quality mid-cap share that I’d consider is Computacenter (LSE:CCC). This 40-year-old UK business saw sales growing by almost 30% in the first half of the year, driven by performance in North America and Germany.

Looking ahead, CEO Mike Norris sounds upbeat too. “Customer demand is strong, we have record order backlogs,” he has said.

I’d say that it’s an experienced player in the IT infrastructure sector. Its earnings are growing, and it even offers a 2% dividend yield.

There’s something I need to be aware of, however. Supply shortages that have affected many companies including Computacenter are worrying. The industry-wide issue could last well into 2022 and could create some pressure on costs.  

That said, these issues should be temporary. And Computacenter’s established business should be able to manage this challenge. Overall, I reckon the shares are cheap and I’d consider buying them this month for my Stocks and Shares ISA.

5 stocks for trying to build wealth after 50

The cost of living crisis shows no signs of slowing… the conflict in the Middle East and Ukraine shows no sign of resolution, while the global economy could be teetering on the brink of recession.

Whether you’re a newbie investor or a seasoned pro, deciding which stocks to add to your shopping list can be a daunting prospect during such unprecedented times. Yet despite the stock market’s recent gains, we think many shares still trade at a discount to their true value.

Fortunately, The Motley Fool UK analyst team have short-listed five companies that they believe STILL boast significant long-term growth prospects despite the global upheaval…

We’re sharing the names in a special FREE investing report that you can download today. We believe these stocks could be a great fit for any well-diversified portfolio with the goal of building wealth in your 50’s.

Claim your free copy now

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.

Harshil Patel owns shares of Games Workshop. The Motley Fool UK owns shares of and has recommended Games Workshop. 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

Middle-aged white man wearing glasses, staring into space over the top of his laptop in a coffee shop
Investing Articles

These FTSE 100 stocks are making a joke of the S&P 500 — but I’m eyeing more ‘rational’ options

Many FTSE 100 stocks are soaring ahead of their S&P 500 rivals in 2025 but Mark Hartley’s looking for some…

Read more »

Santa Clara offices of NVIDIA
Investing Articles

The Nvidia share price hit an all-time high this week. But could it still be a bargain?

The Nvidia share price has soared 1,466% in just five years. This writer reckons the best may yet be to…

Read more »

Young mixed-race couple sat on the beach looking out over the sea
Investing Articles

How much does someone need to invest to target a second income of £15k – or £150k?

A second income from dividend shares? It's a well-worn path -- and this writer sees some attractions to the approach.…

Read more »

Investor looking at stock graph on a tablet with their finger hovering over the Buy button
Investing Articles

Could the stock market crash in the second half of 2025?

As the FTSE 100 hits a new high, could a stock market crash be coming? Our writer thinks there's a…

Read more »

Man hanging in the balance over a log at seaside in Scotland
Investing Articles

Start investing this summer with a spare £250? Here’s how!

Christopher Ruane explains how an investor with a few hundred pounds to spare and no prior experience could look to…

Read more »

Young female analyst working at her desk in the office
Investing Articles

Is Palantir stock the new Nvidia? Why UK investors should (or shouldn’t) care

Palantir stock’s the top performer on the S&P 500 this year. Should UK investors consider it amid a blistering AI-fuelled…

Read more »

Investing Articles

3 FTSE 100 shares I think look undervalued

The FTSE 100 may be hitting record highs but there are still bargains to be had on the index. I…

Read more »

Close-up image depicting a woman in her 70s taking British bank notes from her colourful leather wallet.
Investing Articles

£20,000 in savings? Here’s how to target £841 of passive income each month

Passive income plans don't need to be complicated. Our writer explains how someone could target a sizeable second income buying…

Read more »