Cheap UK shares! I think these penny stocks are a real steal

I’m searching for the best penny stocks to buy for my portfolio this May. Here are a couple I think could help me make me some terrific returns.

| 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.

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.

The threat of global stagflation is rising. And so I’m looking for top gold stocks to buy to capitalise on this. Egypt-focused penny stock Centamin (LSE: CEY) is one such share on my watchlist right now.

A blend of low growth and rocketing inflation (also known as ‘stagflation’) is the perfect scenario for bullion prices to rise. And last week economic data from the US and the eurozone added to fears that this is happening.

Latest news on this front came from Europe on Friday. It showed eurozone consumer price inflation hitting fresh record highs of 7.5% and GDP growth slowing to 0.2% in Q1. The outlook for gold (and by extension gold stocks) looks quite bright, in my opinion.

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

See the 6 stocks

BIG dividends

I like gold mining stock Centamin thanks to its decent value for money. At 92p per share the penny stock trades on a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of just 12.4 times.

This isn’t eye-poppingly cheap on paper. But I consider this to be an attractive figure given the encouraging forecasts for gold prices and the steps Centamin’s taking to supercharge production rates.

What’s more, at today’s prices Centamin carries a fat 5.1% dividend yield. If I bought physical gold or a gold-backed financial product (like an ETF) I’d receive no dividends at all.

Like any share Centamin exposes investors to some measure of risk. For example, profits forecasts could disappoint if gold prices fail to explode. Still, it’s my opinion that the outlook for this particular stock is skewed to the upside.

Brickability Group

I’d also buy Brickability Group (LSE: BRCK) shares for my portfolio in May. This is because it offers the sort of value that’s hard for me to ignore.

At 93p per share the building products provider trades on a forward price-to-earnings (PEG) ratio of just 0.3. Any reading below 1 suggests a share is undervalued.

Like Centamin, Brickability presents some danger to equity investors. Insolvency specialist Begbies Traynor said last week that the number of construction companies “in critical financial distress” leapt 52% year-on-year in the first quarter.

With the UK economy stalling, it’s possible that Brickability’s earnings forecasts could be downgraded. Still, it’s my opinion that its ultra-low valuation reflects this possibility.

A mega-cheap penny stock

Created with Highcharts 11.4.3Brickability Group Plc PriceZoom1M3M6MYTD1Y5Y10YALLwww.fool.co.uk

Besides, over the long-term I think Brickability could be in great shape to deliver terrific profits growth.

Nationwide data last week showed that average home values continue to soar by double-digit percentages. This reflects the country’s huge housing shortage, which the government is aiming to solve by creating 300,000 new homes a year.

Firms like Brickability will play a massive role in this housebuilding revolution. I think I could make some excellent returns on the back of this.

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.

We think earning passive income has never been easier

Do you like the idea of dividend income?

The prospect of investing in a company just once, then sitting back and watching as it potentially pays a dividend out over and over?

If you’re excited by the thought of regular passive income payments, as well as the potential for significant growth on your initial investment…

Then we think you’ll want to see this report inside Motley Fool Share Advisor — ‘5 Essential Stocks For Passive Income Seekers’.

What’s more, today we’re giving away one of these stock picks, absolutely free!

Get your free passive income stock pick

More on Investing Articles

Mature black couple enjoying shopping together in UK high street
Investing Articles

Here’s how a 50-year-old could aim for £1,400-a-month passive income from an ISA

Investing in a Stocks and Shares ISA is one way to target long-term passive income, even for those hitting their…

Read more »

Investing Articles

After hitting a new 52-week low can the Diageo share price ever recover? See what the experts say

Harvey Jones has taken a beating on the Diageo share price, and there's no end to his misery in sight.…

Read more »

Investing Articles

Should I cash in my Rolls-Royce shares?

This investor in Rolls-Royce shares is wondering whether now might be the best time to sell up and move on…

Read more »

Investing Articles

With gold above $3,000, is it time to consider buying this FTSE miner?

Here’s one FTSE 100 stock that should -- in theory -- benefit from the current global uncertainty and a rising…

Read more »

Investing Articles

3 possible ways to generate a £1k monthly second income in the stock market

Our writer outlines a trio of approaches someone could take to try and build a four-figure monthly second income from…

Read more »

Investing Articles

Is the booming BAE Systems share price a deadly trap?

The BAE system share price has been a huge beneficiary of today's geopolitical uncertainty but investors considering the stock should…

Read more »

Investing Articles

Thank you stock market: a rare chance to consider buying Nvidia stock?

Market forces have brought Nvidia stock and many of its peers down as the Nasdaq and S&P 500 reach correction…

Read more »

A couple celebrating moving in to a new home
Investing Articles

Time for a Berkeley Group share price recovery as FY guidance is confirmed?

After slumping in 2024, investors will want to see better from the Berkeley Group Holdings share price. Here's what the…

Read more »