UK shares have fared higher than their US counterparts throughout the first quarter of 2025. But I’m nonetheless trying on the FTSE 100 and the FTSE 250 for growth-with-value in the case of shares to purchase in April. 

I’ve a couple of concepts in thoughts, however there are a pair that I’m set on within the absence of any main problem which may crop up. And each are firmly within the class of development shares.

Bunzl

When shares in Bunzl (LSE:BNZL) fell 14% within the first half of March, I began shopping for the inventory for my portfolio. However – as is all the time the way in which – I didn’t handle to get as a lot as I’d have appreciated.

On the face of it, 2024 wasn’t an ideal yr for the FTSE 100 distribution firm. Revenues fell 0.4%, which isn’t what buyers search for in a development inventory. This nevertheless, was largely because of the agency passing on decrease costs from suppliers. Because of this, working earnings grew 2.2% on an adjusted foundation.

Trying forward, I’m impressed by Bunzl’s plans for development. It’s aiming to take a position £700m a yr into a mix of acquisitions and shareholder returns.

Making an attempt to develop on this approach brings the chance of destroying shareholder worth by overpaying to amass a enterprise. However the firm operates in a fragmented market, which ought to assist. 

This doesn’t solely get rid of the chance and buyers will need to see returns on fairness staying sturdy over time. At immediately’s costs although, I’m trying so as to add to my current Bunzl funding.

AG Barr

The tender drinks market doesn’t stand out as a very growth-focused trade – and it isn’t. However I feel AG Barr (LSE:BAG) has plenty of development alternatives in entrance of it.

The obvious is its revenues, that are forecast to extend by 4.2% a yr on common between now and 2028. That doesn’t sound like a lot, nevertheless it isn’t the one supply of development.

One other key alternative is working margins. These have reached 12.5%, however are anticipated to maintain increasing as the corporate completes its integration of Enhance Drinks Holdings.

On high of that, there’s a rising dividend. Meaning buyers have three clear sources of development and I don’t suppose that is adequately mirrored in a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 17.5.

Arguably, what’s mirrored within the share price is rising prices. With UK inflation set to rise, increasing margins received’t be solely easy and that’s a threat for buyers to contemplate.

I feel AG Barr’s core model – Irn Bru – ought to give it some safety towards this, however we’ll see. In any occasion, I see the inventory as a discount and I’m trying so as to add it to my ISA in April.

Development shares

In terms of development shares, the UK isn’t the primary place most buyers look. And there’s clearly some justification for this. Nonetheless, I feel there are some very engaging alternatives in locations which can be going unnoticed. That’s the place I’m seeking to focus my investing in April.