Best buys right now: 2 penny stocks I’d invest in

I’m on the hunt for some of the best penny stocks to buy today. And the following low-cost UK shares have caught my attention. Here’s why.

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The FTSE 100 and FTSE 250 are back on the front foot in early July as investor appetite for UK shares improves. I’m looking for some of the best stocks to buy as the global economy steadily recovers. And I’ve my eye on a number of penny stocks in particular.

Now a lot of people don’t like to trade in  penny stocks. This is because their low cost can lead to severe price swings. However, as a long-term UK share investor, the prospect of extreme choppiness doesn’t discourage me from investing. I buy companies with a view to holding them for a decade, perhaps longer. Over this sort of time horizon, I can be confident the quality stocks I choose will rise in price, regardless of whether or not they trade below £1 when I buy in.

Besides, by seeking out penny stocks specifically, I can dig out some top-quality companies that the broader market has overlooked.

Should you invest £1,000 in N Brown Group 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 N Brown Group Plc made the list?

See the 6 stocks

Hand holding pound notes

2 penny stocks on my radar today

Here’s what I consider to be two of the best penny stocks to buy now. I expect them to soar in value in the years ahead:

#1: A top UK retail share

It’s true that competition in the clothing retail arena’s intense. But N Brown Group has a number of cards up its sleeve I think will lead to handsome profits growth over the long term.

Its online-only model will allow it to exploit the e-commerce explosion and keep down costs. The cheapness of its apparel will enable it to ride the fast-fashion wave to the full. And its focus on selling garments for plus-size and older consumers gives it the edge in two fast-growing ends of the market.

At current prices of 55.5p per share, this penny stock trades on a forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 8 times. I think this makes it too cheap to miss.

#2: Another tasty stock to buy now

Finsbury Food Group could face pressure in the short-to-medium term as Covid-19 rates rise sharply again. Profits at the breadmaker have suffered in recent times due to the closure of the hospitality sector. But, over a longer time horizon, I’m confident this penny stock will deliver great returns.

The opening of a new gluten-free bakery in Poland last year, for example, illustrates the company’s commitment to continental expansion. It also demonstrates Finsbury’s responsiveness to changing consumer diets (in line with rising environmental and health awareness) which also includes new product launches like its BOSH! range of vegan cakes.

Today, this UK share trades at 93.5p. This means Finsbury trades on a forward P/E ratio of 10.5 times, broadly in line with the widely-accepted bargain territory of 10 times and below.

This adds an extra layer of appeal in my book.

Like buying £1 for 31p

This seems ridiculous, but we almost never see shares looking this cheap. Yet this Share Advisor pick has a price/book ratio of 0.31. In plain English, this means that investors effectively get in on a business that holds £1 of assets for every 31p they invest!

Of course, this is the stock market where money is always at risk — these valuations can change and there are no guarantees. But some risks are a LOT more interesting than others, and at The Motley Fool we believe this company is amongst them.

What’s more, it currently boasts a stellar dividend yield of around 10%, and right now it’s possible for investors to jump aboard at near-historic lows. Want to get the name for yourself?

See the full investment case

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 no position in any of the shares mentioned. 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.

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