2 British penny stocks to buy

Rupert Hargreaves explains why he’d buy these two British penny stocks for his portfolio to profit from the UK’s economic recovery.

| 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.

I’ve recently been looking for British penny stocks to buy for my portfolio to capitalise on the country’s economic recovery during the next few years. Here are two I’d snap up today. 

Top penny stocks 

The first company on my list is the home collected credit lender Morses Club (LSE: MCL). The business provides small loans of between £200 to £1,500 with interest rates of up to 498.34%

Due to the ethical considerations of short-term, high-interest loans, some investors might not be interested in this enterprise. I fully understand this point of view. The sector has also faced significant regulatory headwinds in recent years, which have forced some of Morses Club’s peers out of business. 

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

See the 6 stocks

These risks aside, I’d buy the company for my portfolio of penny stocks considering its growth potential. According to its latest trading update, customer numbers at its digital division for both short- and long-term lending products increased to 40% in the three months ended 31 May. The total loan book balance increased 99%. 

Based on these numbers, it seems to me Morses Club is on track to report a solid financial performance in its current financial year. This is why I’d buy the company for my portfolio of penny stocks despite the regulatory and ethical issues outlined above. It seems there remains a demand for these products, which the business is more than happy to meet.

Consumers also appear to rate Morses Club quite highly, with an average rating of 4.5 stars on Trustpilot.

Recovery play

The other company I’d buy for my portfolio of penny stocks is the waste-to-product group Renewi (LSE: RWI). This is a recovery investment, having reported losses in five out of the past six years.

It produced a small net profit of €11m for its 2021 financial year, although between 2016 and 2020, losses exceeded €300m. Unsurprisingly, group net debt has doubled during this period. There’s a risk that Renewi will never exit this cycle of losses and rising debt. 

However, analysts reckon it will continue to earn a profit for the next two years. Current forecasts suggest net earnings will hit €58m by fiscal 2023. 

These are just forecasts at this stage, and there’s no guarantee the company will hit the targets. Nevertheless, I’d add the shares to my portfolio of penny stocks, considering the firm’s recovery potential. 

If Renewi can hit City growth targets, the stock looks cheap. It’s currently trading at a 2023 forecast P/E of just 9. 

And even if the company struggles in the next few years, I am optimistic about its potential. The world is trying to move away from the throwaway culture, which means waste-to-product facilities could become more sought-after. This could work in Renewi’s favour. However, if the group fails to make the most of its facilities, a competitor with deeper pockets may step in and take over the enterprise. 

Of course, there are plenty of other passive income opportunities to explore. And these may be even more lucrative:

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

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.

Rupert Hargreaves 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.

More on Investing Articles

Warren Buffett at a Berkshire Hathaway AGM
Investing Articles

Don’t panic as Warren Buffett retires! Just stick to the Oracle of Omaha’s method

The world's greatest investor Warren Buffett is finally retiring, but this isn't the end of his influence. It’s only the…

Read more »

US Tariffs street sign
Investing Articles

Up 10% in a month! Are the Scottish Mortgage shares the best way to play the tech stock recovery?

Harvey Jones is impressed by the resilience shown by Scottish Mortgage shares during recent turmoil. Should tech-focused investors consider buying…

Read more »

Mature black woman at home texting on her cell phone while sitting on the couch
Investing Articles

Is the HSBC share price an absolute steal at today’s levels?

The HSBC share price has had a terrific run despite the recent sell-off. Now Harvey Jones wonders if the FTSE…

Read more »

Close-up image depicting a woman in her 70s taking British bank notes from her colourful leather wallet.
Investing Articles

Start investing in the stock market this May with under £1,000? Here’s how!

Christopher Ruane explains some basics of how a stock market newcomer could start investing with under £1,000 and no prior…

Read more »

Fans of Warren Buffett taking his photo
Investing Articles

Is this a ‘Warren Buffett moment’ in the markets?

Warren Buffett has been doling out wisdom to shareholders this weekend. Our writer puts one well-known Buffett adage into current…

Read more »

Young woman holding up three fingers
Investing Articles

3 stocks Fools bought over 10 years ago and still hold

The Motley Fool’s approach to investing prioritises buying and holding quality stocks for long periods of time.

Read more »

Young black colleagues high-fiving each other at work
Investing Articles

8.1% yield! Here’s the dividend forecast for British American Tobacco shares through to 2027

British American Tobacco shares have been a prized commodity for investors seeking a large passive income. Are they a potential…

Read more »

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

1 FTSE 250 stock trading well below book value

Stephen Wright thinks investors have a number of attractive possibilities with a FTSE 250 REIT trading at a discount to…

Read more »