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.

Best shares to buy now: I believe these FTSE 100 shares could double my money

I think these five companies may be among the best shares to buy now. They could offer higher returns than other FTSE 100 shares in the long run.

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Twelfth Magpie’s Premium Investing Services. Become a member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn more, and get a free 'Best Buy Now' stock!.

Finding the best shares to buy now could be a useful exercise for any investor. It may allow them to uncover high-quality companies that trade at low prices. Over time, they may offer superior returns than other FTSE 100 shares which leads to a larger portfolio value in the long run.

With that in mind, here are five FTSE 100 stocks that appear to have long-term growth potential. They could realistically double an investor’s initial outlay as a result of their competitive advantages and strategies.

Should you buy Rolls Royce shares today?

Before you decide, please take a moment to review this report first. Despite ongoing uncertainties from US tariffs to global conflicts, Mark Rogers and his team believe many UK shares still trade at substantial discounts, offering savvy investors plenty of potential opportunities to learn about.

That’s why this could be an ideal time to secure this valuable research – Mark’s analysts have scoured the markets to reveal 5 of his favourite long-term ‘Buys’. Please, don’t make any big decisions before seeing them.

The best shares to buy now with wide economic moats

While deciding which are the best shares to buy now is clearly subjective. In many instances, such companies are likely to have wide economic moats. For example, they may have a unique product, strong brands or lower costs than their rivals. Over time, this may enable them to deliver higher returns that lead to an improving share price performance.

Two such companies could be Diageo and Reckitt Benckiser. They’ve experienced mixed operating conditions in 2020. But both have a wide range of brands that may provide them with a competitive advantage over sector peers. As the world economy’s prospects improve, they could post impressive results that lead to higher valuations and rising stock prices.

FTSE 100 shares with sound strategies

Fellow FTSE 100 shares ABF and Berkeley may also be among the best shares to buy now. They’ve experienced challenging operating conditions over recent months. They may even struggle to deliver improving financial performances in the near term due to disruption caused by coronavirus.

However, ABF’s budget fashion focus within retail may mean it becomes increasingly popular among UK and European consumers while their confidence is low and unemployment rises. Similarly, Berkeley could benefit from a gradual return to normality after coronavirus. Certainly with its large net cash position and dominant market position providing growth opportunities in the coming years.

Meanwhile, Fresnillo may be among the best shares to buy now. The gold and silver miner is making progress on improving its operational performance after a tough period. While global economic uncertainty is high, it could enjoy attractive operating conditions that encourage share price growth relative to other FTSE 100 shares.

Building a portfolio of UK shares

Clearly, it’s important to diversify among the best shares to buy now. Simply owning a small number of companies could lead to an investor facing high risks and low returns. Especially should one or more of their holdings experience a disappointing period.

As such, holding a wide variety of companies that operate in different sectors and regions could be a sound move. It may lead to a more resilient return, as well as the prospect of a portfolio doubling in value over the long run.

Peter Stephens owns shares of Berkeley Group Holdings, Diageo, Fresnillo, and Reckitt Benckiser. The Motley Fool UK has recommended Associated British Foods, Diageo, and Fresnillo. 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

Young female couple boarding their plane at the airport to go on holiday.
Investing Articles

Can the Rolls-Royce share price reach £15.97 by the end of August?

The Rolls-Royce share price has had a solid run in the last year. Muhammad Cheema takes a look at whether…

Read more »

Santa Clara offices of NVIDIA
Investing Articles

Up 1,200% in 5 years, here’s why Nvidia could still be a brilliant value stock

An exciting new announcement that could reshape the PC industry has just pushed Nvidia stock... well, just about nowhere really.

Read more »

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

How investing £4.50 a day could set you on the way to a £1,505 monthly second income

How can UK stocks with high dividend yields help investors earn a meaningful second income from the price of a…

Read more »

Investing Articles

Up 103% with a P/E of 261 — is this FTSE 100 stock still worth buying?

One FTSE 100 stock is quietly moving higher while most investors are still looking elsewhere — is the market missing…

Read more »

Concept of two young professional men looking at a screen in a technological data centre
Investing Articles

The smart money thinks AI stocks look risky — but is there still a chance to buy?

According to fund managers, the AI trade is getting crowded. But they still seem to think it’s the place to…

Read more »

Man putting his card into an ATM machine while his son sits in a stroller beside him.
Investing Articles

Barclays shares are 11% below their 52-week high. Could they be a bit of a bargain to consider?

Overpriced or one of the FTSE 100’s hidden gems? James Beard takes a closer look at how the market is…

Read more »

Stack of one pound coins falling over
Investing Articles

Down 65% but yielding 6.7% – is this beaten-down UK stock now a generational bargain?

Harvey Jones says this UK stock is one of the worst FTSE 100 performers but there are sound reasons to…

Read more »

Portrait of elderly man wearing white denim shirt and glasses looking up with hand on chin. Thoughtful senior entrepreneur, studio shot against grey background.
Investing Articles

Is this FTSE stock really 46% undervalued?

Analysts reckon this FTSE stock should be worth nearly 50% more. James Beard considers why there’s so much positivity surrounding…

Read more »