We have some exciting news to share! The Motley Fool UK has now become The Twelfth Magpie -- an independent, UK-owned company, led by our long-serving UK management team — Mark Rogers, Chris Nials and Heather Adlington. In practical terms, it’s the same team you know, now fully focused on serving our UK readers and members.

Just as importantly, our approach remains unchanged: long-term, jargon-free, and on your side. This site is our new home, and there will be extra tweaks made across the coming few days as we settle in. So if anything looks a little off, please bear with us!

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.

How I’d find the best shares to buy now and hold forever in a Stocks and Shares ISA

Searching in unloved sectors and focusing on dividends could be a means of finding the best shares to buy now in a Stocks and Shares ISA.

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.

A buy-and-hold strategy could be a sound means of building a Stocks and Shares ISA that ultimately provides a worthwhile passive income in older age.

The past returns of the stock market show that a portfolio of UK shares has generally produced an annualised total return in the high-single digits. When compounded, this can produce a surprisingly large nest egg.

XXX

However, finding the best shares to buy now for such a strategy could be a tough task. The economic outlook is uncertain, and many companies are experiencing tough prospects.

By searching for high-quality dividend shares in unloved sectors, an investor may be able to unearth the most attractive companies for the long run.

Searching in unloved sectors for Stocks and Shares ISA investments

Some of the best shares to buy now in a Stocks and Shares ISA could be in unpopular sectors. For example, the banking, resources and retail industries are currently experiencing tough periods. And that’s likely to produce falling sales and profitability in the current year.

However, history shows that such operating conditions are unlikely to last in perpetuity. The economy is very likely to fully recover from its present crisis. This could mean operating conditions for those industries, as well as many others, improve dramatically in the coming years. The result of this could be rising profitability for incumbents that encourage higher share prices over the long run.

As such, buying companies with solid financial positions and dominant market positions for a Stocks and Shares ISA could be a shrewd move. They may be able to ride out present challenges to benefit from a long-term economic recovery.

Focusing on dividend stocks for the long term

Dividend shares could be worth buying and holding in a Stocks and Shares ISA. They could gain in popularity over the coming years because of a lack of passive income opportunities available elsewhere. For example, cash and bonds now provide relatively low income returns that may mean they’re unsuitable for many income investors.

Furthermore, many dividend shares may be able to raise shareholder payouts as the economy recovers. This could make them increasingly attractive to a wide range of investors. Certainly as they may see rising dividends as a sign of confidence among management and stronger financial prospects. This may catalyse their stock market value and produce further capital growth for investors.

Therefore, even if a Stocks and Shares ISA investor isn’t concerned about receiving an income in the short run, dividend shares could be worth buying. They could become increasingly popular over the coming years. And this may prompt high total returns relative to the wider stock market. This may also increase the size of an investor’s ISA and improve their financial situation in the long run.

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

Friends and sisters exploring the outdoors together in Cornwall. They are standing with their arms around each other at the coast.
Investing Articles

£503 buys 14 shares in this FTSE 250 stock that returned 23.9% annually for the last 15 years

This FTSE 250 stock has averaged a huge return for 15 years. At today's price, £503 buys 14 shares. But…

Read more »

Black woman using loudspeaker to be heard
Investing Articles

£1,000 buys 25 shares in this FTSE 100 stock that’s returned 29.2% annually for the last 10 years

This FTSE 100 mining stock has returned close to 30% a year for a decade. At 3,995p, £1,000 buys 25…

Read more »

Female student sitting at the steps and using laptop
Investing Articles

Down 47%, is this growth stock finally worth buying in May?

With a £288m order book and a hidden pipeline of defence and nuclear contracts, is this growth stock now too…

Read more »

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

2 REITs yielding 7%+ to consider for passive income in 2026

A REIT backed by the NHS and another backed by Tesco and Sainsbury's with both yielding 7%+. Here's why I'm…

Read more »

Woman riding her old fashioned bicycle along the Beach Esplanade at Aberdeen, Scotland.
Investing Articles

Just 97 shares of this UK dividend stock generate £238 in passive income

A 5.7% yield, £238 in passive income from just 97 shares, and one of the most divisive dividend stocks on…

Read more »

ISA coins
Investing Articles

£10,000 in an ISA generates a second income of…

The London Stock Exchange is home to some of the world's most generous dividends. But how big a second income…

Read more »

Shot of a senior man drinking coffee and looking thoughtfully out of a window
Investing Articles

Expert recommendations: 2 top income stocks yielding 7%+!

With yields of 7.2% and 7.8% respectively, these two income stocks are catching the eyes of institutional analysts. Should investors…

Read more »

Illustration of flames over a black background
Investing Articles

3 top income-focused stocks to buy in May 2026, according to experts

Looking for a stock to buy for income in May 2026? Experts have flagged these three UK dividend shares as…

Read more »