With inflation having eased gradually throughout the year, 2024 could be the perfect time to enter the market and find the best UK stocks to buy now.
But for new and inexperienced investors, the wealth of options can be overwhelming. Should you bet on an unproven but potentially lucrative newcomer like MicroSalt, a tried and tested large-cap stock like Apple, or a trending growth stock like Nvidia?
We’ll attempt to demystify this below, running through our picks of the best UK stocks to buy in 2024.
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Our picks for the top 10 stocks to buy now in 2025
Stock | Ticker symbol | Market cap | Current price |
Rolls-Royce | RR | 43.9B | 517.6 |
Marks and Spencer Group | MKS | 7.53B | 367.6 |
Barclays | BARC | 31.87B | 219.6 |
easyJet | EZJ | 3.69B | 486.83 |
Legal & General | LGEN | 13.28B | 224 |
Vodafone | VOD | 19.31B | 73.86 |
Ocado | OCDO | 3.17B | 337.7 |
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A closer look at the best stocks to buy today
Here is a closer look at our picks for the 7 best UK shares to buy now, with a deeper analysis of revenues, company activity, and wider market trends.
All stock data on this page was taken from eToro’s in-built charting and analysis tools.
1. Rolls-Royce Holdings (RR): A FTSE high-flyer with the potential for more growth
Comfortably among the best UK stocks to invest in per trading volume, Rolls-Royce has enjoyed an incredible stock market run of late, with its share price up by nearly 150% since October 2023.
This marries up with the firm’s impressive financial performance. In H1 2024, net sales, EBITDA and EPS all increased substantially, with the latter soaring by 94%.
The impressive company and stock performance is also reflected in analysts’ outlook on the stock. Only 5 labeled it as ‘outperform’ in October 2023, but in September 2024, this number has doubled.
Indeed, there could be further growth on the horizon for the aerospace and defense giant. Bank of America, for instance, predicts shares could rise by more than a quarter in the next year.
At the other end of the spectrum, however, German bank Berenberg’s has downgraded the stock to a ‘sell’ and forecasted a 54% plummet in the next 12 months.
Despite stagnating slightly in April, there could be further growth on the horizon for RR stock. The conflict in Ukraine and an increase in defense spending, for instance, is driving market demand. Similarly, the firm saw an uptick in demand for its engines in 2023 – a trend that is likely to persist in 2024.
Moreover, Rolls-Royce’s price-to-earnings ratio is by far the lowest of its market peers in 2024. This could be a strong indicator that the stock is undervalued, and therefore one of the best companies to invest in.
2. Marks and Spencer Group (MKS): Potentially on the upturn after a turbulent period
It’s been a bumpy ride for Marks and Spencer shareholders over the past decade. The stock has enjoyed a series of impressive runs, but ultimately failed to establish sustained growth.
But most recently, after hitting close to an all-time low in October 2022, the retailer saw a subsequent run of good fortune, becoming one of the best performing shares in UK trading. Owing to strong sales momentum in its grocery and clothing divisions, the company has enjoyed a 282% uptick in value since. In fact, this run is yet to subside, with the firm’s stock price continuing to hit new five-year highs in October 2024.
Moreover, the firm is currently staging a fresh plan to capture a further 1% of the UK’s food and grocery market share by 2028, in addition to attaining food margins of more than 4%.
So far, this appears to be going to plan, with the company not just raising prices in line with inflation, but actually selling more, with a 4.6% uptick in online sales in the six months to September 2023.
3. Barclays (BARC): Severely undervalued with a generous dividend yield
Barclays stock has been thriving in 2024, emphatically outperforming the FTSE100 with a value increase of nearly two thirds since the turn of the year.
Crucially, this run of good fortune represents a major rebound, with the high street bank’s share price having hit a 52-week low of 128p in October 2023. Now hovering around the 225p mark, the firm’s stock has risen by more than 50% during this six-month period.
Even if you’ve missed the boat on this run, investing in Barclays may still be a smart move. This is primarily due to valuation, with the stock’s price-to-earnings ratio sitting around the 9% mark, and forecasts suggesting it could drop as low as 4.2 by 2026.
This, in the grand scheme, is remarkably good value for investors.
Moreover, the firm offers a dividend yield of more than 3.6%, which is anticipated to reach 5.5% in 2026. This, combined with the potential for ROI, could make the stock highly attractive in 2024.
4. easyJet (EZJ): Staging an emphatic post-pandemic recovery
As with all airlines, easyJet has had a tough ride due to the pandemic, with its share price halving in the five years to April 2024.
However, as of November 2023, things have started to look up, with the firm’s full-year figures showing a £455 million pre-tax profit versus a £178 million loss the year prior. The figures triggered a stock market run, with share prices up by more than 40% since.
This good fortune looks set to continue, with the company announcing in April 2024 that its winter losses fell £50 million short of the previous year. The airline also revealed an 8% rise in passenger numbers, a 9% rise in ticket yields, and 206% more pre-tax profit from its holidays business line.
easyJet’s share price jumped by close to 4% overnight in response to the news – a strong indicator of its significance.
With at least 35% of further customer growth expected by the end of the current financial year, 2024 could be an excellent time to get onboard with easyJet.
5. Legal & General (LGEN): Steady growth and great value
Another of the FTSE100’s most popular stocks, financial services firm Legal & General, could be poised to offer outstanding value to investors in 2024 and beyond.
The global financial uncertainty of recent years has often proved troublesome for financial services firms, and LGEN has somewhat fallen into this spiral. Despite enjoying steady share price growth of more than 20% in the six months to April 2024, the stock has shed nearly 10% of its value since, owing partly to mixed H1 financial results.
However, Legal & General has always been one of the leading forces when it comes to dividend payouts, with the rate increasing steadily since the 2008/9 financial crisis. As of 2024, the firm’s dividend yield is 9.5% (21.26p per share), with this set to rise to 9.8% by 2026.
Moreover, and perhaps most importantly, LGEN stock still looks to be offering great value, with its price-to-earnings ratio around 30% lower than the market average. This, in conjunction with such a generous dividend yield, could make Legal & General one of the best UK shares to buy now.
6. Vodafone (VOD): Potentially set for growth after a poor run
Vodafone’s inclusion in this list may be puzzling to some, as the telecommunications giant’s value has more than halved during the past five years. However, this could be a classic case of buying the dip, with good fortunes potentially on the horizon for the stock.
One noteworthy point is the firm’s dividend scheme. At 11.4%, with poor financial performance, it was evidently unsustainable for the firm. While the full amount will be paid to shareholders this year, it will be halved in 2025, potentially pointing to more sustainable growth.
A restructuring is also on the horizon for the company, with CEO Margherita della Valle having ended the firm’s Italian and Spanish enterprises in a bid to operate strictly in growing markets. The total cash proceeds from the move are expected to be around £10 billion.
In addition to improving cashflow, the sale also acted as a catalyst for a £3.4 billion share buyback – another boost for shareholders and prospective investors.
These factors have culminated in a slightly better run of form for the firm, with its share price up by more than 13% in the six months to October 2024.
Taking these factors into account, the future could be bright for Vodafone stock, with 2024 posing a great opportunity for investors to get ahead of the curve.
7. Ocado (OCDO): Volatile history could be offset by NYSE switch
Ocado has had a rough ride lately, with the stock shedding more than 60% of its value between 2021 and 2024.
This poor performance has continued into 2024. Despite a small uptick in December 2023, the grocer’s stock has fallen by a further 45% since the turn of the year. Its market cap is now at £3.3 billion, down from £22 billion in September 2020.
However, as with Vodafone, this extreme dip could pose an opportunity for investors.
It’s worth noting that, in a bid to boost its financial prospects, the retailer is facing increasing pressure from investors to switch from the FTSE to the New York Stock Exchange. While dealing a blow to the UK stock market, the move would likely be favourable for Ocado.
The firm’s Q3 2024 financial results may also be a source of optimism. Announced in September 2024, the report showed 15.5% uptick in group revenue, and a 15.4% uptick in sales volume.
Along with the results, the firm’s CEO, Hannah Gibson, said the firm is “seeing the momentum” of giving customers “unbeatable choice, unrivalled service and reassuringly good value”.
Best stocks to buy by investor type
Whether you’re a beginner, short-term, long-term, or expert investor, there is always a suitable entry point into the world of investing.
But choosing that entry point is easier said than done. In this section we will introduce some of the best stocks to buy in 2024 depending on what type of investor you are.
Best stocks to buy for beginners
When you’re first starting out in the world of investing, it’s best to opt for more reliable, less volatile, and easier-to-understand stocks. Some useful categories to focus on are dividend-paying stocks, blue-chip stocks (well-known, financially stable market leaders), and growth stocks.
Here are a few examples of UK stocks to watch that meet these parameters in 2024:
- Legal & General Group PLC: Mentioned in our list above, Legal & General is not only a stable and consistent market leader in financial services but is also famed for its generous dividend yields (currently sitting at 9.21%).
- Tesco PLC: While unlikely to make you a millionaire, Tesco is a classic blue-chip stock in that it’s a market-leading firm that consistently performs well. In the past year, for instance, the supermarket chain has added more than 35% to its value.
- Deliveroo PLC: Deliveroo is the definition of a growth stock. While it has no dividend yield, it’s likely to offer a significant return on investment due to its gradual emergence as a significant market player. In the past six months, its stock price has increased by more than a quarter.
Best stocks to buy for short-term gains
Put simply, short-term investment strategies are engineered to generate quick, substantial profit. However, picking the right stocks for this kind of strategy can be tricky. Here are some worthy contenders in 2024:
- London Stock Exchange Group PLC: This is one of the best British stocks to watch for short-term growth. It’s share prices is on a significant upward trend in 2024, and its partnership with AI and computing giant Microsoft could spell further promise for the near future.
- Beazley PLC: Insurance group Beazley has been making waves recently, with share prices up by more than 44% so far this year. The stock is also arguably undervalued, currently trading at just 4.82 times its earnings.
- STV Group: Digital media firm STV is another stock enjoying impressive growth of late, and showing the potential for further growth going forward. In addition to increasing its value by nearly a quarter so far this year, the firm is also on track to meet its full-year guidance for profit and revenue.
Best stocks to buy for long-term gains
Depending on your risk appetite and financial goals, you may feel more comfortable aiming for slow and steady growth. Here are some stocks that should theoretically align with that kind of strategy:
- AstraZeneca PLC: Pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca is the definition of a long-term, blue chip stock. Aside from helping to produce the first Covid-19 vaccine, the firm is a solid market leader, and likely to continue its domination for years to come.
- Shell: One of only two major oil firms on the FTSE 100, Shell is another market leader defined by consistent, sustainable growth. The firm also looks to be future-proofing its business by investing heavily in clean energy sources such as solar, wind and biofuels.
- Unilever: With such a strong grip on the UK consumer goods market, Unilever looks poised to maintain its dominance for the foreseeable future. Its brand portfolio includes Knorr, Lipton, Axe, Hellman’s, Dove, and many more. What’s more, things only seem to be improving for the firm, with its share price up 20% in the past year.
The most popular UK stocks of September 2024
Here is a breakdown of the highest trending UK stocks by trading volume in September 2024.
Stock | Ticker symbol | Current price | % of buys |
BP PLC | BP | 407.5 | 4.22 |
Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC | RR | 519.8 | 2.64 |
Barclays PLC | BARC | 220.2 | 2.50 |
Dr. Martens PLC | DOCS | 54.9 | 2.10 |
GSK PLC | GSK | 1,497.5 | 1.90 |
Glencore PLC | GLEN | 433.4 | 1.72 |
Legal & General Group PLC | LGEN | 224 | 1.61 |
International Consolidated Airlines Group SA | IAG | 190.9 | 1.56 |
Lloyds Banking Group PLC | LLOY | 57.66 | 1.47 |
Phoenix Group Holdings PLC | PHNX | 556 | 1.26 |
How to find the best UK stocks to buy now
The world of investment can be vast and daunting, and knowing how to find the right stocks for you is a big part of this. Here are some key considerations to make finding the best UK stocks more approachable.
Choose the right type of stock
This may sound obvious, but it’s critical that you choose a stock whose track record and prospects align with your personal ambitions and risk profile.
For instance, if you’re wanting to play it safe and see modest gains over a long period of time, a stable, market-leading company is likely to be your best best. Equally, if your strategy is fast and aggressive, a disruptive newcomer such as Deliveroo could be a smarter pick.
Examine the company’s financials
Financial performance is, unsurprisingly, a critical factor in making an investment decision. This encompasses both the company’s track record, and projections for its future.
You can find all the information you need on this by digesting a combination of previous financial reports, and analysts’ predictions for the company’s future.
Keep up with the news
A company’s prospects, and therefore its ROI potential, is largely dictated by wider market and macroeconomic factors.
To this end, it’s critical to stay abreast of a combination of economic news, sector-specific news, and company-specific news. This can allow you to stay ahead of the curve and make smart investment decisions ahead of time.
Our panel spend several hours researching each product, developing a deep understanding of its features, utility, and pros and cons.
While our panel is comprised mostly of seasoned financial experts, some have little to no expertise in the area. This provides us with a wide range of perspectives, ensuring our verdicts are objective.
Shares are a unit of ownership in a company. People who buy shares become part-owners in that company, and can choose to sell those shares at any time.
Companies issue shares in order to raise capital for expenditure on areas such as operations and product development.
The exact nature of the shareholder’s position depends on the firm. For instance, some firms allow shareholders to have voting rights, and some allow shareholders to receive regular lump sum dividend payments.
There are generally two main types of company shares that exist. They are:
- Common shares: These typically give shareholders voting rights, and give shareholders the right to receive dividends. Common shareholders also reserve the right to claim a share of the company’s assets if it liquidates.
- Preferred shares: This is the less common type of share. It generally has priority over a common share when it comes to asset distribution and dividends. However, it may not have voting rights, and usually bears a fixed dividend rate.
There are a number of ways in which investors can purchase company shares. They are:
- Direct: Some companies distribute shares directly to the public
- Through a stockbroker: These are licenced professionals who help individuals buy and sell securities as a service.
- Through a brokerage: These are firms that offer investment services, most commonly through online trading platforms.
- Through a robo-advisor: These are automated investment platforms that make investment decisions based on algorithms.
Methodology – How we choose the best UK stocks to buy now
All of our stock and investment content is carefully researched and written by a team of experienced financial writers, all of whom have extensive personal experience trading equities.
A wide range of different criteria are considered when choosing which stocks to include. They are:
- Financial health: This encompasses individual factors like debt, profitability and cashflow. Its a useful indicator as to a firm’s future prospects.
- Business model: A strong business model is required to compete in competitive marketplaces. This can include factors such as the management team, disruptive products, and cost-cutting strategies.
- Industry trends: While a company has a degree of control over its success or failure, it can often be at the mercy of wider market and economic trends.
- Valuation: This can include metrics such as dividend yield, price-to-earnings ratio and price-to-book ratio. These can be key factors depending on the particular goals of the investor.
- Independent analysis: In addition to examining a company’s official financials, we also take note of analyst opinions, which are formed based on a wide variety of factors and intended to offer a full picture.
Best place to buy UK stocks in 2025
FP Markets is currently the best platform for buying UK stocks. It’s a popular online trading broker that offers trading for more than 10,000 instruments, including UK stocks and ETFs.
Founded in 2005, the company has licenses from the top regulators, including ASIC and CySEC. The platform has a relatively competitive fee structure, with just a 0.1% commission per side on UK stocks and a minimum charge of 2 GBP.
FP Markets also provides various platforms, including MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader, Iress, and TradingView. You’ll find a good match on these platforms if you like algorithmic strategies, advanced charting, or social trading.
The broker offers free webinars, eBooks, and trading guides to help users stay updated and understand trading risks. You can also get 24/7 multilingual customer support with quick response times.