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

Santa Clara offices of NVIDIA
Investing Articles

£5,000 invested in Nvidia stock 6 months ago is now worth…

Nvidia stock's taking a breather at the moment. But it could be getting ready for its next move higher, says…

Read more »

British coins and bank notes scattered on a surface
Investing Articles

I hold Lloyds. Is it madness to buy Barclays shares too?

Harvey Jones is keen to buy Barclays shares but wonders whether he's simply doubling down, given that he already holds…

Read more »

Asian man looking concerned while studying paperwork at his desk in an office
Investing Articles

It’s time we all took a long, cold look at the Lloyds share price

The Lloyds share price has been good to Harvey Jones, making him a huge fan of the FTSE 100 bank.…

Read more »

Warren Buffett at a Berkshire Hathaway AGM
Investing Articles

Warren Buffett didn’t retire early. But could his investing wisdom help you do so?

Warren Buffett's wisdom from decades of stock market investing is actionable even for a modest investor who simply aims to…

Read more »

Young female hand showing five fingers.
Investing Articles

5 compelling investment ideas for a Stocks and Shares ISA in 2026

Edward Sheldon discusses some ideas to consider for a Stocks and Shares ISA and highlights a UK stock that could…

Read more »

Man writing 'now' having crossed out 'later', 'tomorrow' and 'next week'
Investing Articles

Is this the best time to buy shares in a long time?

Earlier this week, Bill Ackman stated on X that this is the best time to buy shares in a long…

Read more »

A senior man and his wife holding hands walking up a hill on a footpath looking away from the camera at the view. The fishing village of Polperro is behind them.
Investing Articles

£1,000 buys 35 shares in an incredibly reliable FTSE 100 dividend stock

Despite falling 72% from their highs, shares in this FTSE 100 company have been an incredibly reliable source of dividend…

Read more »

Warren Buffett at a Berkshire Hathaway AGM
Investing Articles

This is what Warren Buffett has to say about passive income — and I’m listening!

While searching for new ways to earn passive income, our writer takes to heart sage advice from the Oracle of…

Read more »