4 of the best cheap UK shares to buy below £3

I’m looking to build up my shares portfolio at relatively low cost. I think these dirt-cheap UK shares could be great ways to do this.

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.

ConvaTec Group’s a rock-solid, dirt-cheap UK healthcare share I’m considering buying today. Not only does the business have market-leading positions in areas like stoma bags, wound dressings and catheter-related products. The products it manufactures remain in high demand at all points of the economic cycle. And I expect global consumption to keep steadily rising as healthcare investment increases.

Okay, like many other medical shares, ConvaTec faces the danger that its products might fail to pass regulatory scrutiny. This can end up costing a fortune in lost revenues and additional expenses. But to my mind, the UK share’s other qualities offset this threat. Today ConvaTec shares sell at 220p apiece.

Riding the strong housing market

Britain’s brickmakers are doing a roaring trade as robust housing demand supercharges production rates. In recent months Forterra has lifted its profits expectations thanks to strong housebuilding activity and a healthy home improvements market. I’m expecting uptake of its product to remain strong too, as low interest rates and government support to first-time buyers will in all likelihood underpin solid and sustained homebuyer demand.

My main concern around Forterra is the growing threat of cost inflation. I’m encouraged by the brickmaker’s ability to largely pass higher costs to its customers. Though I’m also aware that past performance is not always a reliable guide as to what lies ahead. Today Forterra trades at 275p per share.

In rude health

Britain’s elderly population is growing rapidly. There are many stocks that I can buy to make money from this demographic phenomenon and Impact Healthcare REIT is one that I’m particularly enthusiastic about. The business operates residential care homes, an industry in which capacity has long failed to grow in line with demand. Consequently, rents at the business continue to move steadily higher.

As a real estate investment trust (or REIT), Impact Healthcare is obliged to pay at least nine-tenths of annual profits out in dividends. So I fully expect the business to keep paying above-average dividends (indeed its yield for this sits at a fatty 5.8%). I’d still buy this cheap UK share despite the threat that it may struggle to find staff due to Brexit-related changes to immigration rules. Impact Healthcare changes hands around 118p per share.  

A cheap UK property share

Like that healthcare play, Warehouse REIT is also required to pay the lion’s share of yearly earnings out via dividend payments. As a result yields here also blast past the market average, at 4% and 4.2% for the next two fiscal years. I expect this cheap UK share to thrive as the growing e-commerce channel will supercharge demand for its warehouse space. The CBRE estimates that Britain will require an extra 60m square feet of warehousing room between now and 2025.

Warehouse REIT is expanding to make the most of this opportunity. While growth through acquisitions carries risks such as disappointing returns and unexpected costs, I’d still be tempted to buy the property giant right now. Warehouse REIT shares trade at 168p today.

Royston Wild has no position in any of the shares mentioned. The Motley Fool UK has recommended Warehouse REIT. 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

Investing Articles

Down 35% in 2 months! Should I buy NIO stock at $5?

NIO stock has plunged in recent weeks, losing a third of its market value despite surging sales. Is this EV…

Read more »

Two employees sat at desk welcoming customer to a Tesla car showroom
Investing Articles

Could 2026 be the year when Tesla stock implodes?

Tesla's 2025 business performance has been uneven. But Tesla stock has performed well overall and more than doubled since April.…

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

Could these FTSE 100 losers be among the best stocks to buy in 2026?

In the absence of any disasters, Paul Summers wonders if some of the worst-performing shares in FTSE 100 this year…

Read more »

Midnight is celebrated along the River Thames in London with a spectacular and colourful firework display.
Investing Articles

Up 184% this year, what might this FTSE 100 share do in 2026?

This FTSE 100 share has almost tripled in value since the start of the year. Our writer explains why --…

Read more »

Close-up as a woman counts out modern British banknotes.
Investing Articles

You can save £100 a month for 30 years to target a £2,000 a year second income, or…

It’s never too early – or too late – to start working on building a second income. But there’s a…

Read more »

Hydrogen testing at DLR Cologne
Investing Articles

Forget Rolls-Royce shares! 2 FTSE 100 stocks tipped to soar in 2026

Rolls-Royce's share price is expected to slow rapidly after 2025's stunning gains. Here are two top FTSE 100 shares now…

Read more »

Road 2025 to 2032 new year direction concept
Investing Articles

Brokers think this 83p FTSE 100 stock could soar 40% next year!

Mark Hartley takes a look at the factors driving high expectations for one major FTSE 100 retail stock – is…

Read more »

Investing Articles

I asked ChatGPT for the best FTSE 100 shares to consider for 2026, and it said…

Whatever an individual investor's favourite strategy, I reckon there's something for everyone among the shares in the FTSE 100.

Read more »