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.

3 penny stocks to buy

Royston Wild talks up three low-cost UK shares on his investment radar. All trade below the penny stock limit of £1.

| More on:

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.

Coats Group (LSE: COA) is a penny stock I think offers some terrific value right now. City brokers believe earnings at the threads and zip manufacturer will soar 80% in 2021, with the economic recovery and gradual exit from Covid-19 lockdowns boosting broader clothing sales.

This leaves this UK share trading on a forward price-to-earnings growth (PEG) multiple of 0.2. A reading below 1 suggests a stock could be undervalued.

XXX

Naturally, these bright forecasts could be blown off course if coronavirus cases head through the roof again. But I think this threat is baked into the Coats Group share price at recent levels. Demand for so-called fast-fashion is tipped to keep growing strongly. Also, this penny stock’s broad global footprint will allow it to benefit from steady population growth too.

Mining for mega returns

Precious metals miner Serabi Gold (LSE: SRB) is another penny stock I’m considering adding to my own portfolio today. Having exposure to gold is a good idea for investors to protect themselves against unforeseeable events (as the Covid-19 crisis and accompanying stock market crash last year proved). I think this UK share, one which trades on a forward PEG ratio of 0.6, is a good way to go about this.

The City thinks annual earnings will rise 10% in 2021. I’m confident of strong and sustained bottom-line growth too, thanks to Serabi’s impressive record on the exploration and production fronts. And then factor in the bright outlook for gold prices. Indeed, news yesterday that eurozone inflation has hit 10-year highs underlines the favourable environment for precious metal values.

Digging for metals is often problematic. So companies like Serabi can be hit by a double whammy of unexpected large costs and revenues setbacks. Still, at current prices, I think this penny stock remains an attractive stock to buy today.

Another attractive penny stock

Now Sportech (LSE: SPO) doesn’t sport low earnings ratios that makes Serabi such a great buy. In fact, the company isn’t even expected to turn a profit this year. And while it’s expected to move into the black in 2022, this results in a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of around 78 times. Bad news flow around the company could therefore send investors sprinting for the exits.

That said, I think this penny stock could still be a great buy today. Sportech operates 14 gaming and sports venues in Connecticut in the US as well as digital betting services. It’s therefore well-placed to ride the booming American sports gambling market.

The company had previously been denied a sports betting licence in Connecticut. But it traversed the problem this month by inking a 10-year partnership agreement with Connecticut Lottery Corporation to provide sports betting across its venues.

I’m tipping this to be an important turning point in the Sportech’s fortunes. It’s now set to ramp up retail betting across the state to latch onto this fast-growing entertainment sector.

Royston Wild has no position in any of the shares mentioned. The Motley Fool UK has recommended Coats Group. 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 »