3 UK shares that could benefit from the World Cup

With the World Cup in full swing this December, here are three UK shares I’m eyeing that could benefit during this year’s tournament.

| 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.

many happy international football fans watching tv

Image source: Getty Images

When investing, your capital is at risk. The value of your investments can go down as well as up and you may get back less than you put in.

Read More

The content of this article is provided for information purposes only and is not intended to be, nor does it constitute, any form of personal advice. Investments in a currency other than sterling are exposed to currency exchange risk. Currency exchange rates are constantly changing, which may affect the value of the investment in sterling terms. You could lose money in sterling even if the stock price rises in the currency of origin. Stocks listed on overseas exchanges may be subject to additional dealing and exchange rate charges, and may have other tax implications, and may not provide the same, or any, regulatory protection as in the UK.

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.

England have qualified for the knockout stages of the World Cup. There are several stocks that could stand to benefit if the team goes further in the tournament. With that in mind, here are three UK shares I’m considering buying this December.

1. Fuller Smith & Turner

Fuller Smith & Turner (LSE:FSTA) is a well-established UK pub and restaurant group, boasting over 200 establishments. The company also has a number of year-round sponsorships and ties with the football community. This makes it a great stock to invest in as the World Cup gains momentum.

The UK chain recently shared a positive set of half-year results. Additionally, it gave a generally positive outlook as it hopes to capitalise on the World Cup and Christmas season.

Nonetheless, its Q3 performance could hinge on England’s performance in Qatar. Getting to the latter stages of the tournament could result in more ‘casual’ fans taking a greater interest and boost its top line.

On the flip side, momentum could very quickly dissipate if England make an early exit. That being said, I’m bullish on England’s chances given how close they came last time. I think I could reap some benefits if I were to buy shares in one of the UK’s biggest pubs.

UK Shares - FIFA World Cup Country Odds
Data source: Stat Insider

2. Diageo

Sticking with the theme of alcohol, Diageo (LSE: DGE) is another stock I’m keeping an eye on. The FTSE 100 firm is one of the world’s largest spirits company. As such, it stands to benefit from any increase in alcohol consumption associated with the World Cup as well.

With the UK, US, and various European countries sharing the stage at the World Cup, Diageo has a broad base of markets to reap rewards from. Moreover, its product portfolio, which ranges from Guinness and Johnnie Walker to Smirnoff, should see an uptick in demand as the tournament progresses.

The producer also announced robust sales growth in its most recent set of results. In fact, CEO Ivan Menezes expects its spirits to continue flying off the shelf despite the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. He forecasts consistent sales growth of 5% to 7% through to FY25.

This is in line with overall alcohol consumption over the past decade. These numbers aren’t stellar by any means. However, Diageo shares could also serve to protect my portfolio from downside risks during a recession.

UK Shares - Alcohol Sales For Home Consumption (UK)
Data Source: Statistica

3. Marks and Spencer

Unlike other grocers that have been reporting slower or declining sales growth, Marks and Spencer (LSE:MKS) has bucked the trend. This can partly be attributed to the Veblen effect — abnormal consumer behaviour caused by the belief that higher prices mean higher quality or value.

Furthermore, on its half-year earnings call, the UK supermarket said that it expects its customers to be spending more this year due to their more affluent backgrounds. Along with this, the FTSE 250 retailer has exclusive England-themed items for sale due to its partnership with the national team. All of these could mean better-than-expected sales for Marks and Spencer this quarter.

UK Shares - £MKS Past Performance
Data source: Marks and Spencer

Nevertheless, I’m also aware of the potential headwinds surrounding the premium supermarket. These include elevated commodity costs eating into its bottom line and sky-high inflation impacting consumer basket sizes.

Should you invest, the value of your investment may rise or fall and your capital is at risk. Before investing, your individual circumstances should be assessed. Consider taking independent financial advice.

John Choong has positions in Marks And Spencer Group Plc. The Motley Fool UK has recommended Diageo Plc and Fuller, Smith & Turner P.l.c. 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

£10,000 invested in Barclays shares 1 month ago is now worth…

Barclays shares have carried on where they left off in 2024, by climbing far faster than the FTSE 100. Harvey…

Read more »

Investing Articles

I’ve been watching the easyJet share price like a hawk. Here’s what it did last week

Harvey Jones can't take his eyes off the easyJet share price. He thinks it looks good value and ready to…

Read more »

Investing Articles

A £10,000 investment in Nvidia stock 6 months ago is now worth…

Nvidia stock's shown a lot of volatility for a mega-cap company in recent weeks. Dr James Fox explores how an…

Read more »

Investing Articles

4 reasons Ferrari could continue to be a stock market winner

The global luxury goods market may have struggled in recent years, but you wouldn’t guess that from Ferrari’s soaring stock.

Read more »

Investing Articles

5 perfect starter stocks to consider for a Stocks and Shares ISA in 2025

Wondering which shares to buy for a newly opened Stocks and Shares ISA? Our writer thinks these five investments are…

Read more »

Row of terrace houses.
Investing Articles

Thinking about buy-to-let? Consider these UK stocks instead

Owning UK property stocks could be a better way to invest in buy-to-let, though there are drawbacks. Royston Wild explains.

Read more »

Investing Articles

Here’s a plan to target £7,500 a month in passive income

This writer outlines a roadmap that someone could consider taking to try and aim for a substantial future passive income…

Read more »

Young female hand showing five fingers.
Investing Articles

5 FTSE 250 stocks Fools are backing for promotion to the FTSE 100 this year

Can Vistry make an imminent return from the FTSE 250? One Fool thinks so -- read on to find out…

Read more »