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By always investing in the best stocks you can buy, investors will always outperform the savings account over time. Yet according to the latest figures from Raisin UK, the average British adult still has £9,633.30 sitting in the bank, which is eroded by inflation every year.
Using a Cash ISA to build up an emergency fund is not a bad idea. But trying to build real wealth this way creates a significant and unnecessary opportunity cost. Even the best ISAs offering up to 5% interest today still fall short of the 8% long-term stock market average.
So, with that in mind, which UK stocks are experts buying right now?
AstraZeneca – the crown jewel of the UK
A few companies in London Stock Exchange to attract institutional confidence as AstraZeneca (LSE:AZN).
The pharmaceutical giant has transformed itself into a global oncology powerhouse, with blockbuster drugs to match Enhertu, Tagrissoagain Calquence driving revenue to a target of $80bn by 2030.
Even in 2025, the top line increased by another 9% to a record $58.7bn. And with 20 Phase 3 trials currently underway, the pipeline that powers AstraZeneca’s future growth remains impressive.
But the risks are real. President Trump’s Organization of the Most Favored Nation drug pricing, which aims to tie US prices to cheaper international standards, could logically squeeze AstraZeneca’s lucrative market.
At the same time, the company is also facing an ongoing anti-corruption investigation in China’s medical sector. And combined, the group’s position in both of these key markets could come under pressure.
Unilever – the unsung hero
Another top choice for professionals in 2026 Unilever (LSE:ULVR), which appears to combine strong growth with strong defensive factors that can help reduce portfolio volatility in an uncertain market environment.
Under CEO Fernando Fernández, Unilever is in the midst of its most dramatic transformation in decades.
Having already launched its ice cream business in late 2025, the group announced in March 2026 that it will consolidate its entire food division, which includes brands such as This is Hellmann’s place, Knorragain Marmiteand the US spice giant McCormick for a $44.8bn deal.
What remains will be pureplay’s beauty, personal care, and home products business built around Power Brands A dove, An axeagain Houses – segments that carry higher margins and faster structural growth than food.
However, it is important to highlight that McCormick’s deal has not gone down particularly well with the shareholders of both companies. Consolidating large amounts is complex and tends to run into many unexpected costs. And since Unilever will still retain a 65% equity stake in the new business, a weaker performance in the future could pay dividends.
Even if the deal goes ahead as planned, there is still the challenge that consumers may trade up to cheaper unbranded alternatives to Unilever products, limiting the group’s pricing power – a major risk to be aware of.
An important point
No stock is always risk free, not even FTSE 100 titans like AstraZeneca and Unilever and I can’t say they are the ‘best’ to buy today. But when weighed against their potential long-term rewards, both companies look like top potential stocks for investors looking for a defensive way to grow their wealth that could outpace a savings account over time.
That’s why I think both companies deserve a closer look.
