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.

Make a million from the stock market crash! I think these are the best UK shares to buy today

The stock market crash provides fresh opportunity for investors to make a million, says Royston Wild. These UK shares are particularly great buys too.

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.

The 2020 stock market crash has scared off plenty of would-be and existing investors from buying shares. Stock markets remain extremely volatile too. And the possibility of a second market crash in the coming weeks or months continues to dominate investor thinking.

Bring it on, I say! But let me be clear. I’m not suggesting that stock investors go all ‘gung ho’ and load up on UK shares left, right and centre. With a painful (and possibly prolonged) global recession around the corner you should only be considering companies with robust balance sheets and decent economic moats (in other words, advantages over their industry rivals).

XXX

However, the recent stock market crash has left many top firms trading on valuations that are too good to miss. And another market crash would create even more terrific dip-buying opportunities that could help you and I enjoy monster returns, and possibly even make a million.

A person holding onto a fan of twenty pound notes

Buy into the stock market crash

Becoming a stock market millionaire is often an issue of good timing and seizing opportunities. And there are simply too many cheap UK shares to ignore following the FTSE 100’s market crash to 10-year lows in March. By buying in at the rock-bottom prices of today, investors give themselves a chance to make blockbuster returns over the long run as share prices steadily improve over time.

You might be tempted to just invest in FTSE 100 shares today. Their considerable balance sheets might be appealing with a global recession developing. Many can attribute their blue-chip status to one or more of those economic moats too. But share pickers shouldn’t restrict themselves to the Footsie in their quest to make a million.

2 UK shares with millionaire-maker potential

Take brickmaker Ibstock as an example. I bought this FTSE 250 share myself because Britain needs to accelerate housebuilding over the next decade. with government targeting up to 300,000 new homes each year. No wonder City analysts expect it to bounce back from a troubled 2020 with a 98% earnings rebound in 2021. I’d use its near-50% share price decline this year as a top dip-buying opportunity.

I don’t own shares in Bushveld Minerals right now. But it’s firmly on my watchlist as it has the potential to deliver spectacular profits growth over the next 20 to 30 years, I feel. The global energy storage market is tipped to explode through to 2035 at least and as a major vanadium producer, the AIM stock should capitalise considerably on this trend. Its shares have dropped 30% in value since the end of 2019, and I reckon this provides a sensational buying opportunity.

So don’t let the prospect of a global recession put you off. There remain plenty of brilliant UK shares out there that could still help you make a million. And the recent stock market crash provides the opportunity to load up on these top companies at dirt-cheap prices.

Royston Wild owns shares of Ibstock. The Motley Fool UK has recommended Ibstock. 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 »