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.

Looking for stocks to buy? Here are 3 shares the pros have been snapping up

There are many different ways to identify stocks to buy. One strategy that Edward Sheldon finds very effective is to follow the trading activity of the pros.

| More on:
Google office headquarters

Image source: Getty Images

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.

Monitoring the trading activity of professional fund managers can be a good way to identify stocks to buy. After all, these investors tend to do a lot of research before investing in a company (and have to answer to their clients if they get it wrong).

Here, I’m going to highlight three shares that were snapped up by pros in the second quarter of 2025. Are they worth considering today?

XXX

UnitedHealth

First up, we have UnitedHealth (NYSE: UNH), the largest health insurer in the world. This stock was bought by a range of top investors in Q2 including Warren Buffett (for his firm Berkshire Hathaway), David Tepper of hedge fund Appaloosa, Michael Burry (of ‘The Big Short’ fame), and the UK’s Stephen Yiu, who runs the Blue Whale Growth fund.

Now, this company’s share price has shot up since it came to light that Buffett bought stock. Currently, it’s trading at $308 – up 31% from its 2025 lows of $235.

I still believe there’s value on offer, however. At current levels, it’s still almost 50% below its highs and trading on a very reasonable price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 17.

It’s worth pointing out that this insurer has had some significant performance issues recently. Ultimately, it underestimated the demand for, and cost of, health insurance in the US and got its pricing all wrong.

It could take a while to turn things around. But I reckon it will get there eventually so I believe it’s worth considering today.

Taiwan Semi

Next, we have Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (NYSE: TSM). It’s the largest semiconductor manufacturing company in the world.

This stock was snapped up by a range of top investors including billionaire Stanley Druckenmiller, tech expert Brad Gerstner of Altimeter Capital, and Stephen Yiu again.

The share price here has had an explosive move higher since its April lows. So, the pros may have paid much lower prices for their shares.

I still believe the stock is worth a look at today’s levels though. With the forward-looking P/E ratio sitting at 23, the valuation doesn’t appear to be stretched.

That said, semiconductor stocks can be volatile at times. And I reckon there might be better buying opportunities here in the months ahead.

If there’s talk of an economic slowdown, or increased geopolitical tension, the share price is likely to pull back. That could be a good buying opportunity to think about.

Alphabet

Finally, we have Google and YouTube owner Alphabet (NASDAQ: GOOG). It was bought by billionaires Bill Ackman, who runs FTSE 100 investment trust Pershing Square Holdings and Seth Klarman, CEO of Baupost Group.

It’s great to see big-name buying here. Because I’ve been arguing for a while that this Magnificent 7 stock is undervalued.

There are obviously risks around AI. Today, the way we’re searching for information is changing rapidly.

However, Alphabet isn’t sitting still. It’s rolling out some incredible AI search features.

Meanwhile, the company has the lowest valuation in the Mag 7. At present, it’s trading on a forward-looking P/E ratio of 19.3 (using next year’s earnings forecast).

Add in the fact that this company has exposure to lots of high-growth industries including cloud computing and self-driving cars, and I think the set-up is attractive. To my mind, it’s worth further research.

Edward Sheldon has positions in Alphabet and the Blue Whale Growth fund. The Motley Fool UK has recommended Alphabet and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing. 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 »