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.

My top 5 UK shares for passive income in 2022

Rupert Hargreaves explains why these UK shares are some of his favourite passive income investments, considering their prospects for 2022.

| More on:
British bank notes and coins

Image source: Getty Images

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 am always looking for UK shares to add to my passive income portfolio. As well as high growth stocks, I own a portfolio of income shares to produce a steady stream of dividends to support my regular income. 

As we begin 2022, I am looking for new stocks to add to this portfolio. And there are a couple of corporations that have recently caught my attention. I would buy all of the company’s outlined below for my portfolio.

Should you buy Big Yellow 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.

UK shares for income

The first on my list is the infrastructure investment group 3i Infrastructure (LSE: 3IN). This company owns a portfolio of infrastructure assets around the world. This is a great asset to hold as an income investment because related contracts are usually multi-year and inflation-linked. This gives the enterprise a high level of visibility over future cash flows. 

These qualities, as well as the company’s progress in seeking out new investments, have helped it increase its dividend at a compound annual rate of 6% over the past six years. 

Of course, past performance is no guarantee of future potential. But considering the company’s attractive qualities, I think there is a high chance this growth could continue. At the time of writing, this stock offers a dividend yield of 2.9%.

Issues the group could encounter include higher interest rates. These could lead to higher costs, reducing the amount of cash available for distribution to investors. 

Passive income growth

Also on my list is 4imprint (LSE: FOUR), which designs and manufactures promotional marketing material. Unfortunately, this has been a complicated business over the past two years.

During the pandemic, companies have been forced to greatly reduce the number of face-to-face marketing activities. Consequently, the demand for promotional products has declined. Revenues dropped from $861m in fiscal 2020 to $560m in fiscal 2021. 

However, a rapid recovery is expected over the next two years. City analysts have pencilled in revenues of $904m for the 2023 financial year. Profits are also expected to rebound, and so is the firm’s dividend. 

Analysts believe the stock will yield 1.5% next year. That might not seem like much, but 4imprint’s balance sheet is stuffed full of cash, and there is plenty of headroom for further growth in the years ahead. This potential is the main reason I like the look of the company for my passive income portfolio. 

Challenges it could face going forward include competition and additional pandemic restrictions. These headwinds could curb growth. 

Income from property

One of the top UK shares for passive income, in my opinion, is Big Yellow (LSE: BYG). Thanks to its steady profit growth, this self-storage company has become an income champion over the past decade. As management has reinvested profits back into the business, it has grown rapidly, with book value up more than 100% since 2016. 

As Big Yellow’s property portfolio has expanded, the organisation’s income generation has increased. Management has been able to hike the firm’s dividend to investors by 100% since 2016. The stock currently yields 2.3%. And with further development opportunities planned over the next couple of years, it seems likely this payout will continue to grow as it grows. 

Some notable challenges the group may encounter as we advance include higher interest rates, as it relies on debt to fund expansion initiatives. Higher rates could lead to increased interest costs, reducing the amount of cash available for distribution. 

International expansion

Some of the best UK shares for income, in my opinion, are international growth stocks. HSBC (LSE: HSBA) is one of the best examples. 

The Asia-focused bank is one of the world’s largest banks, and as interest rates begin to increase, I think it has fantastic potential for the next few years. As the global economy also begins to recover from the pandemic, the group should have plenty of opportunities to expand its footprint and increase lending to customers. 

These twin tailwinds may help the business’s bottom line expand rapidly in the years ahead. And HSBC has always been one of the best UK shares for income, which suggests that, as the group’s bottom-line grows, it could increase the dividend to investors. 

At the time of writing, the stock offers a dividend yield of 3.6%. City analysts are expecting payout growth of 20% in 2022, implying the shares could yield 4.3% next year. As well as this income potential, HSBC has also been returning cash to investors by repurchasing shares. These are the reasons why I think the stock is one of the best passive income shares to buy. 

Unfortunately, the company’s growth is far from guaranteed in the years ahead. Risks it could face include further pandemic restrictions and a deterioration in relations between China and the United States, which may hit global trade flows. 

UK shares for income and growth

Moneysupermarket.com (LSE: MONY) is one of my top UK shares for passive income generation and earnings growth. It also looks incredibly cheap at current levels. 

The company, which operates online comparison sites, is currently selling at a forward price-to-earnings (P/E) multiple of just 15. This reflects uncertain market sentiment towards the business. Regulatory changes have hurt the outlook for the comparison market, and it is unclear how much of an impact these changes will have on the corporation’s bottom line. 

Still, I am happy to look past these headwinds and buy the stock. As well as the cheap valuation, the stock also supports a dividend yield of 5.1%. It has a cash-rich balance sheet and robust profit margins, suggesting it can sustain a higher than average dividend yield. 

As well as this income potential, there is also scope for a valuation re-rating. This could provide both income and capital growth in my portfolio of UK shares. 

Rupert Hargreaves has no position in any of the shares mentioned. The Motley Fool UK has recommended 4imprint Group, HSBC Holdings, and Moneysupermarket.com. 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

Mindful young woman breathing out with closed eyes, calming down in stressful situation, working on computer in modern kitchen.
Investing Articles

If a stock market crash is coming, history says this simple move makes money

What to do in a stock market crash? Don't panic for a start and then consider buying a high-quality share…

Read more »

Google office headquarters
Investing Articles

Alphabet stock has fallen from $404 to $318. Time to consider buying?

After a 21% fall, Alphabet stock is now a lot cheaper than it was back in May. Is it time…

Read more »

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

SpaceX stock just crashed 50%! Here’s what I’m doing

After all the excitement about that IPO, Harvey Jones says SpaceX stock has lost half its value. Are we suddenly…

Read more »

Space satellite orbiting the earth.
Investing Articles

By mid-2027, analysts expect $3,000 in Tesla stock to be worth…

Tesla stock has taken a backseat to AI chip names recently and this is reflected in its share price. Is…

Read more »

Investing Articles

Is Raspberry Pi stock a future Nvidia?

Are there any similarities between Raspberry Pi and Nvidia? And even if there are, does this make the FTSE 250…

Read more »

piggy bank, searching with binoculars
Investing For Beginners

Down 25% in a week and at 52-week lows, is this UK share now a bargain?

Jon Smith points out a UK share that has been beaten down recently, but could now be undervalued with an…

Read more »

Investing Articles

My favourite FTSE 100 growth stock jumped another 6% today but still trades at a 17% discount!

Harvey Jones is a massive fan of this growth stock and is thrilled to see its shares are climbing again…

Read more »

Elderly, couple hiking and bird watching with adventure outdoor, hike together and fitness for active lifestyle. Nature, trekking and senior man pointing and woman with binocular, freedom and travel.
Investing Articles

Here’s what £5,000 in a best-buy Cash ISA could be worth in July 2027

Harvey Jones says there are some decent Cash ISA rates on the market today but in the longer run stocks…

Read more »