3 cheap penny shares to buy before it’s too late?

Quite a few penny shares seem to be picking up in 2023. So is confidence returning to the small-cap growth market this year?

| 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.

British Pennies on a Pound Note

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.

Aren’t all penny shares cheap? Well, a low price might not mean value. A penny share can still lose the same amount as one priced in pounds, and that’s 100%.

But these three, I think, look like good value. And they might not stay that way for too long.

Property slump

When we think property slump, we think housebuilders. Or we maybe think estate agents, or REITs. But I also think about the humble brick, and that brings to mind Ibstock and Michelmersh Brick Holdings (LSE: MBH).

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

See the 6 stocks

Michelmersh shares are under the £1 mark, but only just, and it’s the first of my penny share picks.

Created with Highcharts 11.4.3Michelmersh Brick Plc PriceZoom1M3M6MYTD1Y5Y10YALLwww.fool.co.uk

The price has gained a bit in 2023, and it might not be a penny stock for long. But that comes after a fall from a 2021 peak, and over five years it’s pretty much flat.

So are the shares really cheap? Well, the company seems to think so. It’s been on a share buyback since March. And that alone might be enough to push the price above 100p.

Results for 2022 showed a 15% rise in revenue. Adjusted profit before tax gained 17.5%, with earnings per share up 13.7%.

A long housing slump might hit demand in the next year or so. But it hasn’t caused much harm yet.

Lithium demand

The demand for lithium pushed a lot of stocks up in 2021. Most fell back, but I see Zinnwald Lithium (LSE: ZNWD) shares are taking off again in 2023.

Created with Highcharts 11.4.3Zinnwald Lithium Plc PriceZoom1M3M6MYTD1Y5Y10YALLwww.fool.co.uk

They’re still down 20% in five years, at 13p, at the time of writing. It makes me think this might still be a good time to buy.

This carries the most risk of my three picks. And I’d say it might only be for those who like a bit of growth share thrill from time to time.

There’s no profit here yet, so that makes valuation tricky.

The key question is how much cash it might need before we see the first profit. We have just had a fundraising, so things seem liquid for now.

What draws me most to Zinnwald is it’s the kind of stock I think I’d have bought back when I was young and less risk-averse.

Equipment rental

HSS Hire (LSE: HSS) shares are down 40% in five years. But they started to pick up in April, so are we in for a bull run?

Created with Highcharts 11.4.3Hss Hire Group Plc PriceZoom1M3M6MYTD1Y5Y10YALLwww.fool.co.uk

FY22 results just posted show gains across the board, with revenue up 10.7%.

That led to adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of 2.41p, more than double 2021’s figure. On a share price of 13.5p, as I write, that’s a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of just 5.6.

The 0.54p dividend for the year means a 4% yield, and that looks strong. Analysts expect more growth in the next few years too.

On the face of it, HSS looks good. But it’s in a tough market right now, and and we can’t yet tell how the firm’s turnaround will go in the next few years. On what I see though, it looks cheap.

But there may be an even bigger investment opportunity that’s caught my eye:

Investing in AI: 3 Stocks with Huge Potential!

🤖 Are you fascinated by the potential of AI? 🤖

Imagine investing in cutting-edge technology just once, then watching as it evolves and grows, transforming industries and potentially even yielding substantial returns.

If the idea of being part of the AI revolution excites you, along with the prospect of significant potential gains on your initial investment…

Then you won't want to miss this special report inside Motley Fool Share Advisor – 'AI Front Runners: 3 Surprising Stocks Riding The AI Wave’!

And today, we're giving you exclusive access to ONE of these top AI stock picks, absolutely free!

Get your free AI stock pick

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.

Alan Oscroft has no position in any of the shares mentioned. The Motley Fool UK has recommended Ibstock Plc. 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

Passive income text with pin graph chart on business table
Investing Articles

How £100 a month could turn into £6,500 a year in passive income

With enough time, a 6.5% annual return can turn £100 per month into something that yields £6,500 per year in…

Read more »

happy senior couple using a laptop in their living room to look at their financial budgets
Investing Articles

Is now a good time to start investing in the stock market?

Predicting what the stock market will do in the next few weeks and months is nearly impossible. But over the…

Read more »

Close-up as a woman counts out modern British banknotes.
Investing Articles

£5,000 invested in Legal & General shares 10 years ago would have generated passive income of…

Legal & General shares are one of the highest-yielding in the FTSE 100. How much passive income could have been…

Read more »

Passive income text with pin graph chart on business table
Dividend Shares

3 world-class dividend stocks to consider for passive income

These three stocks could potentially help investors create a stable – and growing – stream of passive income in the…

Read more »

Group of young friends toasting each other with beers in a pub
Investing Articles

Diageo’s share price plunges 43% in 2 years! Time to consider buying the dip?

With sales falling, the Diageo share price is being hit hard. But with the shares now trading near 52-week lows,…

Read more »

Night Takeoff Of The American Space Shuttle
Investing Articles

The GGP share price skyrockets 100%+ in 2025 – Could this be the breakout stock of the year?

With the GGP share price more than doubling in four months, can Greatland Gold continue to thrive throughout the rest…

Read more »

Illustration of flames over a black background
Investing Articles

JD Sports’ share price soars 27% in just 3 weeks – is this the hottest stock to consider buying now?

The JD Sports share price is rising rapidly as management steers the business back on track. Can this upward momentum…

Read more »

Nottingham Giltbrook Exterior
Investing Articles

The Marks and Spencer share price stumbles on a cyberattack! Is it time to panic?

A disruptive cybersecurity breach has brought down Marks & Spencer’s online store, sending the share price tumbling. Should investors be…

Read more »