When it comes to finding the best UK shares to invest in during a period of economic instability, I think it’s key to focus on companies that are prospering in spite of the harsh trading conditions. As well as indicating the resilience of the underlying business, it’s likely these companies will continue to thrive over the coming months and years as the global economy begins to recover.
As such, here are two companies that I’d recommend taking a look at if you’re on the hunt for high-quality businesses to invest in.
One of the best UK shares out there
Multinational home repairs and improvements company HomeServe (LSE: HSV) has enjoyed substantial share price gains over the last five years. Since the start of 2015, the shares are up just over 290%. In fact, the swelling of the firm’s market capitalisation recently culminated in its entrance to the blue-chip FTSE 100 index.
HomeServe’s share price success is testament to its strong growth and investment over the years. The company has expanded operations and grown its earnings at an outstanding rate, which shows no signs of slowing down. In addition to its impressive results throughout the period of the pandemic, management expects a solid performance for the remainder of the year.
What’s more, marketing campaigns in various countries have proved effective in attracting new customers recently. In my view, this demonstrates that international expansion could prove to be a catalyst for further growth. For me, the only downside is that the shares come at a cost, trading with a P/E ratio of 32. That said, for those willing to hold for the long term, I reckon that’s a price well worth paying for such a quality business.
Another top pick
Moving on, IT infrastructure services company Computacenter (LSE: CCC) is another company on my radar. As is the case with HomeServe, the Computacenter share price has performed well over the last six months. Since the depths of the sell-off, the shares have risen by a whopping 114%.
In the first half of 2020, the group’s adjusted profit before tax turned out to be substantially ahead of the same period last year. This reflects a strong performance in many segments of the business, particularly IT equipment. Consequently, the company has revised its forecast for the remainder of the year, now expecting “a year of material progress”.
With a strong customer base and a lucrative business model, I think a P/E ratio of 22 is justified. In the long run, I reckon Computacenter’s provision of vital IT services will help fuel further share price growth, potentially delivering a tidy return to investors.
Making a million from the stock market crash
Building a six-figure portfolio is no mean feat. But it’s not impossible either. Thanks to many reduced valuations caused by the market crash, there are plenty of cheap shares to buy now. Moreover, combining undervalued stocks with other high-quality businesses like HomeServe and Computacenter is likely to turbo-charge your returns over the long term, allowing you accumulate some serious wealth.
For example, let’s say you invest £500 monthly into a handful of the best UK shares on the market. Assuming an annual return of 8%, your investment pot would be worth £1,078,202 after 35 years.