4 of the best cheap UK shares to buy below £3

I’m looking to build up my shares portfolio at relatively low cost. I think these dirt-cheap UK shares could be great ways to do this.

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.

ConvaTec Group’s a rock-solid, dirt-cheap UK healthcare share I’m considering buying today. Not only does the business have market-leading positions in areas like stoma bags, wound dressings and catheter-related products. The products it manufactures remain in high demand at all points of the economic cycle. And I expect global consumption to keep steadily rising as healthcare investment increases.

Okay, like many other medical shares, ConvaTec faces the danger that its products might fail to pass regulatory scrutiny. This can end up costing a fortune in lost revenues and additional expenses. But to my mind, the UK share’s other qualities offset this threat. Today ConvaTec shares sell at 220p apiece.

Riding the strong housing market

Britain’s brickmakers are doing a roaring trade as robust housing demand supercharges production rates. In recent months Forterra has lifted its profits expectations thanks to strong housebuilding activity and a healthy home improvements market. I’m expecting uptake of its product to remain strong too, as low interest rates and government support to first-time buyers will in all likelihood underpin solid and sustained homebuyer demand.

My main concern around Forterra is the growing threat of cost inflation. I’m encouraged by the brickmaker’s ability to largely pass higher costs to its customers. Though I’m also aware that past performance is not always a reliable guide as to what lies ahead. Today Forterra trades at 275p per share.

In rude health

Britain’s elderly population is growing rapidly. There are many stocks that I can buy to make money from this demographic phenomenon and Impact Healthcare REIT is one that I’m particularly enthusiastic about. The business operates residential care homes, an industry in which capacity has long failed to grow in line with demand. Consequently, rents at the business continue to move steadily higher.

As a real estate investment trust (or REIT), Impact Healthcare is obliged to pay at least nine-tenths of annual profits out in dividends. So I fully expect the business to keep paying above-average dividends (indeed its yield for this sits at a fatty 5.8%). I’d still buy this cheap UK share despite the threat that it may struggle to find staff due to Brexit-related changes to immigration rules. Impact Healthcare changes hands around 118p per share.  

A cheap UK property share

Like that healthcare play, Warehouse REIT is also required to pay the lion’s share of yearly earnings out via dividend payments. As a result yields here also blast past the market average, at 4% and 4.2% for the next two fiscal years. I expect this cheap UK share to thrive as the growing e-commerce channel will supercharge demand for its warehouse space. The CBRE estimates that Britain will require an extra 60m square feet of warehousing room between now and 2025.

Warehouse REIT is expanding to make the most of this opportunity. While growth through acquisitions carries risks such as disappointing returns and unexpected costs, I’d still be tempted to buy the property giant right now. Warehouse REIT shares trade at 168p today.

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.

Royston Wild has no position in any of the shares mentioned. The Motley Fool UK has recommended Warehouse 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

Portrait of elderly man wearing white denim shirt and glasses looking up with hand on chin. Thoughtful senior entrepreneur, studio shot against grey background.
Investing Articles

Is AMC stock on the move again?

Investors who remember the meme stock frenzy of 2021 will wonder if the same can ever happen again. With AMC…

Read more »

Investing Articles

‘Britain’s Warren Buffett’ just bought 262,959 shares of this magnificent stock

In the first quarter of 2024, Fundsmith portfolio manager Terry Smith (aka the UK's 'Warren Buffett’) was buying this blue-chip…

Read more »

Close-up of British bank notes
Dividend Shares

If I was starting a high-yield dividend stock portfolio today, here are 3 shares I’d buy

High-yield dividend stocks can be a great way to generate income. But it can pay to be selective when building…

Read more »

Arrow symbol glowing amid black arrow symbols on black background.
Growth Shares

This AIM stock could rise 51%, according to a City broker

This AIM stock has been moving higher recently. However, analysts at Deutsche Bank believe its share price has a lot…

Read more »

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

1 top FTSE 100 growth stock to consider buying before the end of May

Consistent growth from this FTSE 100 performer looks set to continue, so I’d consider the shares now for a diversified…

Read more »

Investing Articles

Here’s where I see the Legal & General share price ending 2024

After a choppy start to the year, Charlie Carman explores where the Legal & General share price could go over…

Read more »

Investing Articles

3 steps to earning £100 a month in passive income

Earning passive income from stocks is simple but not easy. Stephen Wright outlines the way to aim for £100 per…

Read more »

Frustrated young white male looking disconsolate while sat on his sofa holding a beer
Investing Articles

Where will the Rolls-Royce share price end 2024, above 500p or below 400p?

Will the Rolls-Royce share price ride higher in 2024, or will we see a fall back to lower valuations? Either…

Read more »