3 top FTSE 100 shares to buy in May

Stephen Wright thinks he’s found a quality growth stock, a steady dividend play, and a bargain value investment for his portfolio in May.

| 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.

Senior woman wearing glasses using laptop at home

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.

Key Points

  • Rightmove is a top-quality growth stock with a dominant position in its market
  • Legal & General is a well-established company paying a solid and consistent dividend that yields around 7%
  • Sainsbury has a substantial asset base and a low price tag

The FTSE 100 can be a great place to look for investment opportunities. The index is composed of the largest UK companies. It contains companies that have proven themselves over time and produce consistent, steady profits.

Within the index, though, there’s a really diverse range of companies. I’ve found three very different types of stocks that I’m looking at buying for my portfolio in May.

The first is a high-quality growth stock. The second is a steady company that pays a strong dividend. And the third is a cheap value play.

Growth

The growth stock that I’m looking at buying in May is Rightmove (LSE:RMV). The company is the largest UK property platform and its size gives it a huge advantage over its competitors. 

Rightmove’s revenues have surged back after a quiet 2020 during the pandemic and it’s an extremely efficient business when it comes to keeping costs low. The stock isn’t cheap and there’s a risk that comes from paying a high multiple for a good business. However, this is a risk I’m looking at taking to add a quality name to my portfolio in May.

Dividend

I’m also looking at buying shares in Legal & General (LSE:LGEN) in May. The company is about as steady and established as they come and it has paid its dividend consistently over time.

The share price has been coming down quite a bit lately and is approaching levels that I think are attractive. Sometimes a falling share price can be a sign that investors have noticed something wrong with the business. But I don’t think that’s the case with Legal & General. With a 7% yield, I’m inclined to think the risk is worth it.

Value

The third and final stock that I’m considering for May is Sainsbury (LSE:SBRY). This is the least obvious of the three stocks, but I think there might be an interesting value proposition here.

Sainsbury’s shares trade at a price that implies a total value of around £5.5bn for the entire company. On its balance sheet, however, Sainsbury has property and machinery with a value of £13.3bn. There are other things to consider like total debt of around £6.8bn, but I think that Sainsbury shares look cheap given its asset base. 

Summary

There are stocks in the FTSE 100 to suit any style of investor. I’ve found three that I’m thinking of buying in May.

I think that Rightmove has a terrific business model. Legal & General seems to me to be a company that will distribute a steady dividend to its shareholders for a long time. And Sainsbury’s appears to be a stock that is trading at an extremely low price given the assets that the company owns. 

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.

Stephen Wright has positions in Legal & General Group. The Motley Fool UK has recommended Rightmove and Sainsbury (J). 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

Investing Articles

Surely, the Rolls-Royce share price can’t go any higher in 2025?

The Rolls-Royce share price was the best performer on the FTSE 100 in 2023 and so far in 2024. Dr…

Read more »

A young woman sitting on a couch looking at a book in a quiet library space.
Investing Articles

Here’s how an investor could start buying shares with £100 in January

Our writer explains some of the things he thinks investors on a limited budget should consider before they start buying…

Read more »

Investing Articles

Forget FTSE 100 airlines! I think shares in this company offer better value to consider

Stephen Wright thinks value investors looking for shares to buy should include aircraft leasing company Aercap. But is now the…

Read more »

Investing Articles

Are Rolls-Royce shares undervalued heading into 2025?

As the new year approaches, Rolls-Royce shares are the top holding of a US fund recommended by Warren Buffett. But…

Read more »

Investing Articles

£20k in a high-interest savings account? It could be earning more passive income in stocks

Millions of us want a passive income, but a high-interest savings account might not be the best way to do…

Read more »

Investing Articles

3 tried and tested ways to earn passive income in 2025

Our writer examines the latest market trends and economic forecasts to uncover three great ways to earn passive income in…

Read more »

Investing Articles

Here’s what £10k invested in the FTSE 100 at the start of 2024 would be worth today

Last week's dip gives the wrong impression of the FTSE 100, which has had a pretty solid year once dividends…

Read more »

Investing Articles

UK REITs: a once-in-a-decade passive income opportunity?

As dividend yields hit 10-year highs, Stephen Wright thinks real estate investment trusts could be a great place to consider…

Read more »