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 FTSE 100 shares to buy

Rupert Hargreaves looks at some of his favourite FTSE 100 shares to buy in the current market considering their growth potential.

| More on:

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!.

I’m always looking for FTSE 100 shares to buy for my portfolio. Right now, I think there are plenty of bargains on the market that could make great additions to my portfolio. Here are three of my favourite stocks on offer right now. 

FTSE 100 stocks 

The first company is the online vehicle marketplace Autotrader (LSE: AUTO). Like many businesses in the UK, last year was a challenging period for the FTSE 100 company. Revenues for the year to the end of March slumped 29%

Should you buy Autotrader Group Plc 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.

However, it seems as if things could be looking up this year. The demand for second-hand cars is booming. Some reports have even suggested used-car prices are rising so fast, vehicles become worth more the second they leave the forecourt. 

This is excellent news for Autotrader after a tough year. That’s why I think this is one of the best shares to buy now in the blue-chip index. 

Still, despite this potential, the company’s facing increasing competition in the market, which could harm growth. The market for used cars could also go into reverse at any point. 

Even after taking these risks into account, I’d still buy Autotrader for my portfolio. 

The best shares to buy 

As well as Autotrader, I’d also buy FTSE 100 company St. James’s Place (LSE: STJ) for my portfolio. 

The asset and wealth manager is benefiting from increased demand for its services across the UK. Indeed, for the six months to the end of June, the company reported gross inflows of £9.2bn.

The combination of these inflows and rising equity markets pushed group funds under management to £144bn, up from £129bn at the end of December 2020. 

With assets under management and profits rising, management’s reinvesting for growth. It’s increased the number of qualified advisors by 139 this year and is enrolling more in its Academy programmes. 

As St. James’s Place continues to reinvest in its adviser network, I think the company will continue to attract assets. This is why I think the stock’s one of the best shares to buy now in the FTSE 100. As we advance, some challenges it may face include competition and additional regulatory costs, which could impact profit margins. 

Double tailwinds 

The third and final group I’d buy for my FTSE 100 portfolio is Rentokil (LSE: RTO). The pest control company’s currently benefiting from a double tailwind.

The demand for pest control services is rising, and the number of acquisition opportunities is also increasing. In the first half of 2021, the company’s revenues grew 18%, and it completed 24 acquisitions.  

Like St. James’s Place, I think the group’s growth should continue as management reinvests for growth and demand for its services grows. Therefore, as Rentokil’s network expands, I reckon the stock could make the perfect growth investment for my portfolio. 

Risks it may face include higher wage and materials costs, as well as higher interest rates, which could make its acquisitions more expensive. 

Rupert Hargreaves has no position in any of the shares mentioned. The Motley Fool UK has recommended Auto Trader. 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

Middle-aged white man pulling an aggrieved face while looking at a screen
Investing Articles

Forget Rolls-Royce shares, this incredible penny stock is forecast to soar 762%!

Faron Pharmaceuticals shares are forecast to gain 762% in the coming 12 months, mimicking the recent performance of Rolls-Royce shares.

Read more »

Close-up of children holding a planet at the beach
Investing Articles

How to turn a £20,000 ISA into a £20-a-day passive income stream

Does earning regular passive income seem out of your grasp? Break it down to a simple, step-by-step plan, and it’s…

Read more »

UK financial background: share prices and stock graph overlaid on an image of the Union Jack
Investing Articles

3 UK shares tipped to soar 100% (or more) in the next 12 months

Mark Hartley assesses the growth potential of three lesser-known UK shares with optimistic broker targets. Could they double in value…

Read more »

Curtains, happy woman and thinking of future in home, planning and reflection of mindset with view. Window, smile and African girl with vision, ideas and dream for morning inspiration in living room.
Investing Articles

Up 36% in 3 months! Is this beaten-down FTSE 100 growth stock finally ready to rocket?

Sensing a bargain, Harvey Jones snapped up this growth stock whose shares have fallen by half. Suddenly things are starting…

Read more »

Image of happy young people man and woman in basic clothing thinking and touching chin while looking aside isolated over yellow background
Investing Articles

Up 147% with a 6%+ yield and dirt-cheap P/E – yet this FTSE 100 dividend stock still flies under the radar

Harvey Jones flags up an impressive UK-listed dividend stock that may have passed some investors by. What's driving its stellar…

Read more »

Mining truck in a coal open pit mine
Investing Articles

Forget SpaceX! 2 top growth stocks to consider buying in August

Hunting for growth stocks to buy? Ben McPoland spotlights a tech share from across the pond and another in the…

Read more »

Investing Articles

£1,500 buys 447 shares in this UK stock that’s trouncing the FTSE 100

The FTSE 100's up nicely in the past year, but my favourite growth stock from the FTSE 250 has blown…

Read more »

Electric cars charging at a charging station
Investing Articles

Is this $7 stock the next Tesla?

After skyrocketing over the past decade-and-a-half, everyone has heard of Tesla stock. But this $7 upstart is still under the…

Read more »