2 top growth shares I’d buy for the second half of 2024!

Looking for the best growth shares to buy? These FTSE 250 and small-cap shares have significant share price potential, according to Royston Wild.

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I’m searching for the best growth shares to buy for my portfolio in the second half of 2024. Here are two on my shopping list for when I next have spare cash to invest.

MJ Gleeson

Created with Highcharts 11.4.3Mj Gleeson Plc PriceZoom1M3M6MYTD1Y5Y10YALLwww.fool.co.uk

Housebuilders like MJ Gleeson (LSE:GLE) have been under pressure since interest rates began rising a few years back. While the Bank of England is tipped to cut its benchmark very soon, nothing is guaranteed, creating lasting risk for companies like this.

But if City brokers are right, Gleeson could be about to enjoy a sharp rebound in annual earnings. The builder’s bottom line is tipped to increase 12% and 18% in the financial years to June 2025 and 2026, respectively.

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Over the long term, demand for newbuild homes is expected to rise across the board as Britain’s population increases. And Labour’s intention to cut planning red tape will give construction companies a better chance to exploit this. The government thinks this will create 1.5m new homes over five years.

It’s possible that MJ Gleeson could perform better than the broader market, too. This is thanks to its focus on the affordable homes segment, where demand is especially high.

The 2.8% increase in Gleeson’s completions during the 12 months to June — a period when each of its major rivals struggled to sell — shows this theory in action.

A report from the National Housing Federation and Crisis suggests 145,000 new affordable properties are needed each year between now and 2031. Gleeson is in one of the box seats to capitalise on this opportunity.

Games Workshop Group

Created with Highcharts 11.4.3Games Workshop Group Plc PriceZoom1M3M6MYTD1Y5Y10YALLwww.fool.co.uk

Games Workshop (LSE: GAW) is another top growth share I’d buy for the second half of 2024.

The tabletop gaming giant has the wind in its sails right now, and in June projected profits of at least £200m for the last financial year, ahead of forecasts. This impressive sales and earnings statement pushed the company’s share price sharply higher.

Things could get even better, too, if the business announces fresh details on the potentially blockbuster media agreement it has with Amazon. Plans are afoot to make film and TV content based on the UK firm’s highly popular Warhammer 40,000 gaming universe.

Games Workshop isn’t predicted to grow earnings as rapidly as MJ Gleeson in the near term. Rises of 7% are predicted for both of the next two financial years (to May 2025 and 2026).

But these numbers aren’t to be sniffed at. And given the company’s knack of publishing forecast-beating trading updates, I believe profits forecasts could well be upgraded over time.

Once concern I have is the high valuation attached to Games Workshop shares. Today they trade on a forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 22.7 times.

A reading like this can prompt a sharp price correction if investor sentiment suddenly darkens. Still, it’s my opinion that the FTSE 250 firm merits a premium valuation, and so it remains a great stock to consider right now.

But here’s another bargain investment that looks absurdly dirt-cheap:

Like buying £1 for 31p

This seems ridiculous, but we almost never see shares looking this cheap. Yet this Share Advisor pick has a price/book ratio of 0.31. In plain English, this means that investors effectively get in on a business that holds £1 of assets for every 31p they invest!

Of course, this is the stock market where money is always at risk — these valuations can change and there are no guarantees. But some risks are a LOT more interesting than others, and at The Motley Fool we believe this company is amongst them.

What’s more, it currently boasts a stellar dividend yield of around 10%, and right now it’s possible for investors to jump aboard at near-historic lows. Want to get the name for yourself?

See the full investment case

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 Mackey, former CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. Royston Wild has positions in Games Workshop Group Plc. The Motley Fool UK has recommended Amazon and Games Workshop Group Plc. 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.

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