• #1 stock is up over 56% in the past year.
• #2 is the best stock to hold in times of high inflation and rate hikes.
• #3 could benefit largely from the post-pandemic era.

While the UK stock has been quite volatile and stocks have had a mixed performance in 2022, here are 3 of the best UK shares to buy now. In my opinion, these stocks could soar high as I see them having strong fundamentals. Before I dig deep into each of the stocks, let me take a look at the general market’s performance. The FTSE 100 is up around 2% year to date, while the FTSE 250 is down over 7%. That being said, let’s look at the best UK shares to buy now.

An industrial metals and mining giant.

The Glencore (LSE:GLEN) share price is up over 10% year to date. And in the last 12 months, the stock has climbed more than 56%. Glencore produces and markets metal, mineral, energy and agricultural commodities. The company’s products serve the automotive, steel, battery manufacturing, power generation and oil sectors. 

Notwithstanding the challenges brought about as a result of the Covid-19 and supply chain disruptions, the group met its production guidance in FY21. Glencore had a busy 2021 as it acquired and disposed of businesses to better serve its client. Amidst the competition in its sector, the Glencore share is among the best UK shares to buy now, in my opinion.

A Food company is my #2 best UK shares to buy now

As I write, Premier Foods (LSE:PFD) share price is up about 3.4% since 2022 started and 24% over the past year. This is far ahead of the FTSE 100, which is up only about 16% in the same period. 

Premier Foods, along with its subsidiaries, manufactures and distributes branded and own-label food products in the UK, other European countries and globally. Amidst the Covid-19, the mutation, and supply chain disruptions, the company reported strong Q3 results and outperformed the market.

Being in the defensive consumer business, Premier Foods shares could be in high demand, notwithstanding increasing inflation and interest rate hikes. However, this best UK share to buy now is in a competitive market, which could affect its revenue. In any case, Premier Foods is a top UK share to buy now for my portfolio.

A Consumer Cyclical company is another best UK share to buy now. 

Unlike the earlier two companies, Whitbread (LSE:WTB) is down over 4% over the past year, while year to date, the stock is up 2.5%. Whitbread Plc operates chains of hotels and restaurants in the United Kingdom and Germany. The business operates through various brands, including Premier Inn, Brewers Fayre, Table Water, Beefeater, Table Table, etc. 

Needless to say, the firm was largely affected by the Covid-19, which led to the closing of most of its business at the peak of the global pandemic. Undoubtedly, the company’s revenue was affected, but sales and lodging have greatly improved since the rolling out of vaccines. 

In its recent reports, Whitbread has experienced some level of growth. The firm outperformed expectations in the UK with Premier Inns. Its growth was largely due to strong leisure and recovering business demand.

Amidst the disruptions, Whitbread still maintains a positive cash flow. And the easing of government restrictions along with life slowly getting back to normal, this potentially best UK share to buy now could explode as life gradually returns to normal. At least, that’s what I think.

But it’s not without risk. Covid-19 keeps mutating. And suppose another round of lockdowns were to occur. In that case, the company and the rest of the hospitality sector could see its revenue stream decimated once again. Needless to say, that would be bad news for the Whitbread share price.

Prosper Ambaka does not own shares in any of the companies mentioned. The Money Cog has no position in any of the companies mentioned. Views expressed on the companies and assets mentioned in this article are those of the writer and therefore may differ from the opinions of analysts in The Money Cog Premium services.