4 of the best penny stocks to buy now

I’m searching for the best UK penny stocks to add to my shares portfolio today. Here are what I consider to be some of the greatest low-cost shares.

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.

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.

Many investors don’t like to buy UK shares that cost less than a pound a pop. This is because their low cost can result in extreme price voliatility. I consider this to be a great shame as there are tonnes of top penny stocks I think could make long-term investors piles of cash.

Here are what I think are four of the best sub-£1 stocks to buy now.

#1: A top UK tech share

One might think that gambling companies like Entain or 888 Holdings might be the best ways to ride the explosion in online betting. But I think XLMedia could be another great way to play this theme.

This particular penny stock provides digital marketing services to the betting and sports industries. I also like the fact that XLMedia services the fast-growing personal finance arena too. Remember though, the gambling industry is highly regulated and any clampdown on operators could have a significant knock-on effect on this UK share.

#2: Steppe on it

Steppe Cement could prove to be a great way to get rich with emerging markets, in my opinion. This UK share manufactures cement and sells the bulk of it in its operating base of Kazakhstan. It therefore has significant exposure to a territory in which construction activity looks set to keep growing strongly.

Indeed, GlobalData thinks the country’s construction sector will grow at an average of around 6% a year between now and 2025. Be warned though, the Kazakhstani economy could grow more slowly over the longer term due to its dependence on strong oil prices. Crude values could potentially slump as green energy slowly takes over. And this could have a big indirect impact on Steppe Cement’s revenues.

Hand holding pound notes

#3: A penny stock for the auto rebound

I believe Vertu Motors could be one of the best penny stocks to buy for the current economic recovery. This is because cars are an essential commodity in Britain, and indeed across the globe. And the amount consumers spend on them tends to recover extremely quickly when economic conditions begin to improve.

I also like this particular UK retail share as it sells both new and used cars, giving it a broader potential customer base. I’d buy it despite the threat posed to the economic rebound by rising Covid-19 cases.

#4: Playing the millionaire boom

I also think Surface Transforms could be a great way to play the car industry recovery. This particular penny stock manufactures high-performance ceramic brakes for major car manufacturers. In fact, I think the company’s a great way to play explosive growth in the premium car market in particular.

Knowledge Sourcing Intelligence analysts think the global car market will be worth $56.3bn by 2025, versus $31.6bn in 2019, as the number of millionaires and billionaires keeps growing. Bear in mind that the huge chip shortage hampering car production could dent Surface Transforms’ near-term profits growth however.

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

Sunrise over Earth
Investing Articles

Meet the ex-penny share up 109% that has topped Rolls-Royce and Nvidia in 2025

The share price of this investment trust has gone from pennies to above £1 over the past couple of years.…

Read more »

House models and one with REIT - standing for real estate investment trust - written on it.
Investing Articles

1 of the FTSE 100’s most reliable dividend stocks for me to buy now?

With most dividend stocks with 6.5% yields, there's a problem with the underlying business. But LondonMetric Property is a rare…

Read more »

Investing Articles

Is 2026 the year to consider buying oil stocks?

The time to buy cyclical stocks is when they're out of fashion with investors. And that looks to be the…

Read more »

ISA coins
Investing Articles

3 reasons I’m skipping a Cash ISA in 2026

Putting money into a Cash ISA can feel safe. But in 2026 and beyond, that comfort could come at a…

Read more »

US Stock

I asked ChatGPT if the Tesla share price could outperform Nvidia in 2026, with this result!

Jon Smith considers the performance of the Tesla share price against Nvidia stock and compares his view for next year…

Read more »

Investing Articles

Greggs: is this FTSE 250 stock about to crash again in 2026?

After this FTSE 250 stock crashed in 2025, our writer wonders if it will do the same in 2026. Or…

Read more »

Investing Articles

7%+ yields! Here are 3 major UK dividend share forecasts for 2026 and beyond

Mark Hartley checks forecasts and considers the long-term passive income potential of three of the UK's most popular dividend shares.

Read more »

Hand is turning a dice and changes the direction of an arrow symbolizing that the value of an ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) is going up (or vice versa)
Investing Articles

2 top ETFs to consider for an ISA in 2026

Here are two very different ETFs -- one set to ride the global robotics boom, the other offering a juicy…

Read more »