Why I’m investing in the Ocado share price right now

Ocado Group plc (LON:OCDO)’s share price has risen dramatically but here’s why I think it’s important to invest right now.

| More on:

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.

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.

Ocado (LSE: OCDO) has been at the front of many investors’ minds this year thanks to its new agreement with Marks & Spencer this February. However, many people are reluctant to invest after the sky-rocket in share price thanks to this new development.

Here’s why I think that the Ocado share price will only go up and why you might want to think about investing right this very second… after reading this, of course.

Best performing of 2019

After a difficult end to 2018, the stock market has seemingly bounced back with a vengeance in 2019. Topping the list of best performers so far this year is, you guessed it, Ocado, experiencing around a rise of over 40% so far.

Ocado has often been described as the “Microsoft of Retail” and it’s pretty easy to see why. It is rolling out technology that supermarkets have never thought about using before in their warehouses and I think that Ocado truly is innovating the way we shop.

The online supermarket has taken a few hits in the past but seems to only be on the rise after its recent partnership.

Enter, Marks & Spencer

The Ocado share price has risen to around 1,410p at the time of writing, which is nearly double what it was at the start of the year. It seems that Ocado has proven all of its naysayers wrong, and much of that is thanks to Marks & Spencer.

Marks & Spencer formed a £1.8bn supermarket joint venture with Ocado. This agreement definitely seems to make more sense for Ocado than Marks & Spencer as its dive into the world of online food shopping came at a very hefty price of billions.

Having said this, Ocado will now have access to all of Marks & Spencer’s products, supplier relationships and customers on the new online food shopping website that makes it easier than ever for Marks & Spencer’s customers to get food delivered right to their door.

This has had a huge influence on Ocado’s growth, and I believe that it promises a very bright future for the company indeed.

Could Ocado be the share of the year?

Sadly, if I knew the answer to this question, I would probably be a millionaire. However, even though no one really knows what the future holds for Ocado, it does look very rosy to me. If the company sees huge success selling Marks & Spencer’s products, could we see other supermarkets getting involved? Possibly. We have already seen many retailers investing in Ocado’s technology.

Ocado’s technology claims to be a huge game changer and only time will tell if it will change the world of food shopping. Soon we may never wander down the cold supermarket aisles again thanks to Ocado…

Furthermore, supermarkets seem to notoriously fare well during economic falls (as we still need to buy food, right?) So, Brexit hopefully shouldn’t be much of a threat to Ocado and its future success.

I believe that Ocado’s share price is only going to continuously rise and it’s worth investing now before it becomes unobtainable!

Fiona Leake owns shares of Ocado and Marks & Spencer. The Motley Fool UK has no position in any of the shares mentioned. 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

Black woman using smartphone at home, watching stock charts.
Investing Articles

Are investors running scared of Babcock and BAE Systems shares?

BAE Systems shares have had a brilliant run, and other UK defence stocks have been flying too. But Harvey Jones…

Read more »

Mature black woman at home texting on her cell phone while sitting on the couch
Investing Articles

As the FTSE 100 falls, savvy investors are looking for stocks to buy for the rebound

Many FTSE stocks have now fallen 10% or more from their 2026 highs. For long-term investors, exciting opportunities are emerging.

Read more »

Portrait Of Senior Couple Climbing Hill On Hike Through Countryside In Lake District UK Together
Investing Articles

Should investors consider buying resilient Admiral Group and Tesco shares as markets wobble?

Harvey Jones is impressed by how Tesco shares have held up in the current market volatility, while Admiral has been…

Read more »

DIVIDEND YIELD text written on a notebook with chart
Investing Articles

Down 15% in a month and yielding 7.5%! Should I buy even more of my favourite dividend stock?

Harvey Jones says this brilliant FTSE 100 dividend stock is suddenly cheaper due to recent market volatility. And the yield…

Read more »

Abstract bull climbing indicators on stock chart
Growth Shares

3 growth shares for an ISA that have beaten the FTSE 100 for the past 5 years

Jon Smith points out several growth shares that have outperformed the broader market over a long period of time, with…

Read more »

Calendar showing the date of 5th April on desk in a house
Investing Articles

Time’s running out for our 2025/26 Stocks and Shares ISA plans!

Never mind the stock market wobble, it's time to turn our attention to our Stocks and Shares ISA investments for…

Read more »

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

What might Warren Buffett think about today’s stock market?

Middle East conflict has given the UK stock market a bit of a hammering. But in the long-term scheme of…

Read more »

Man riding the bus alone
Dividend Shares

How big does my ISA need to be to make £2.5k in monthly passive income?

Jon Smith points out the key factors that go into building a dividend portfolio for passive income, and reviews one…

Read more »