Here’s how I’d invest £20k in the best shares now to achieve financial freedom

Investing £20k in the best shares now could lead to impressive returns in the long run. It may provide an investor with greater financial freedom.

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.

Despite the recent stock market rally, a number of the UK’s best shares continue to trade at attractive price levels.

Through buying a diverse selection of them with £20k, or any other amount, an investor can generate high returns in the long run as the stock market recovers.

This may lead to a surprisingly large retirement next egg that provides greater financial freedom in older age via a growing passive income.

Buying the best shares now

Investing money in the best shares now could be a means of reducing risk and improving long-term returns. The most attractive stocks at the present time are likely to be those companies that fulfil two main goals.

First, they have the financial capacity to withstand a period of weak economic performance that may spill over into 2021. As such, companies with low debt, strong balance sheets and competitive advantages may be more appealing.

Second, they’ve the right strategies to capitalise on industry growth trends as the economy recovers. Should they have inflexible business models or outdated strategies, they may face challenging futures.

Clearly, identifying which companies are likely to be the best shares to buy now is very subjective. However, through assessing their quality, it’s possible to find the most appealing companies within a sector. Those that can go on to produce higher long-term returns.

Buying UK shares at cheap prices

Even after the recent stock market rally, many of the best shares in the FTSE 100 and FTSE 250 trade at low prices. Investor sentiment continues to be relatively cautious towards UK shares. This may allow an investor to pick up high-quality businesses when they offer wide margins of safety.

Such a strategy has been very profitable in the past. After all, it uses the market cycle to an investor’s advantage. Since the FTSE 100 and FTSE 250 have always fully recovered from their low points to reach new record highs, there may be added value in buying cheap stocks at the present time.

Of course, this doesn’t mean sacrificing quality to buy cheap stocks. Identifying the best shares to buy now, and buying them at low prices, is likely to mean less risk and higher returns in the coming years.

Investing £20k to obtain financial freedom

Investing £20k in the best shares today could produce a surprisingly large portfolio in the long run. Even if an investor matches the FTSE 100’s historic total returns of 8% per annum, their £20k investment could be worth over £200k within 30 years.

However, through buying the most appealing UK shares at low prices, it’s possible to outperform the stock market. This may lead to a larger portfolio and greater financial freedom as a stock market recovery takes hold in the coming years.

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

Businessman hand stacking up arrow on wooden block cubes
Growth Shares

Why I think the HSBC share price could hit 2,000p by December

Jon Smith explains why the HSBC share price could be primed to rally for the rest of the year, despite…

Read more »

Elevated view over city of London skyline
Investing Articles

£15,000 invested in UK shares a decade ago is now worth…

How have UK shares performed in recent years? That depends which ones you have in mind, as our writer explains.…

Read more »

Businessman hand stacking money coins with virtual percentage icons
Investing Articles

3 FTSE shares with many years of consecutive dividend growth

Paul Summers picks out a selection of FTSE shares that have offered passive income seekers consistency for quite a long…

Read more »

piggy bank, searching with binoculars
Investing Articles

Prediction: Diageo shares could soar in the next 5 years if this happens…

Diageo shares have been in the doldrums for some years now. What on earth could waken this FTSE 100 dud…

Read more »

Investing Articles

With a P/E of 5.9 is this a once-in-a-decade opportunity to buy dirt-cheap easyJet shares?

Today marks a fresh low for easyJet shares, which are falling on a disappointing set of first-half results. Harvey Jones…

Read more »

Investing Articles

Think the soaring Tesco share price is too good to be true? Read this…

The Tesco share price keeps climbing. It's up again today, following a positive set of results, but Harvey Jones says…

Read more »

Artillery rocket system aimed to the sky and soldiers at sunset.
Investing Articles

BAE Systems shares are up 274% in 46 months. And I reckon there could be more to come

Our writer’s been learning about the state of Britain’s defence forces. And he thinks it could be good news for…

Read more »

Stack of British pound coins falling on list of share prices
Investing Articles

5 years ago, £5,000 bought 218 Greggs shares. How many would it buy now?

Greggs sells around 150m sausage rolls every year. But have those who bought the baker’s shares in April 2021 made…

Read more »