I’d buy FTSE 100 dividend stocks for a passive income today

Buying undervalued FTSE 100 dividend stocks today could help you build a passive income stream for life and may also lead to capital gains.

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.

When investing, your capital is at risk. The value of your investments can go down as well as up and you may get back less than you put in.

Read More

The content of this article is provided for information purposes only and is not intended to be, nor does it constitute, any form of personal advice. Investments in a currency other than sterling are exposed to currency exchange risk. Currency exchange rates are constantly changing, which may affect the value of the investment in sterling terms. You could lose money in sterling even if the stock price rises in the currency of origin. Stocks listed on overseas exchanges may be subject to additional dealing and exchange rate charges, and may have other tax implications, and may not provide the same, or any, regulatory protection as in the UK.

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.

Buying cheap FTSE 100 dividend stocks today could be a means of building a sizable financial nest egg, with the potential to generate passive income.

Indeed, even though the UK’s leading stock index has enjoyed a substantial recovery in recent weeks after the March market crash, many dividend stocks continue to trade below the historic average valuations.

As such, now could be a great time to buy these companies that have attractive long-term growth and income prospects.

FTSE 100 dividend stocks

Historically, buying undervalued FTSE 100 shares has been an excellent means of obtaining above-average returns. Over the past few decades, the index has seen many peaks and troughs.

On every occasion, it has recovered its losses over the next few months and years. Investors who were able to buy at the bottom of the market have seen healthy returns. Improving investor sentiment has helped push equity prices higher. 

Using the same strategy today could have a positive impact on the size of your portfolio over the next few years.

FTSE 100 dividend stocks look particularly attractive in the current market. In recent months, many FTSE 100 dividend stocks have decided to withhold their dividends to preserve cash. This seemed to be the best decision at the height of the coronavirus crisis. As the world adapts to the new normal, these companies may decide to reinstate their dividends.

Therefore, all these companies are likely to become more attractive among investors over the coming months due to the lack of income return available elsewhere.

Diversified investments

While there could be further problems ahead for the FTSE 100, its long-term prospects seem bright. A second wave of coronavirus could provide additional headwinds to the global economy. A protracted trade war between the United States and China could only add further uncertainty to the mix.

Still, we have been here before. The index has suffered numerous setbacks since its founding in the 1980s. But despite these issues, it has been able to produce an annualised return of over 8%. Dividend income has accounted for the bulk of this return.

The FTSE 100 is one of the world’s most attractive income indexes and currently has an average dividend yield of 4%. By reinvesting company dividend income over the past few decades, investors have been able to achieve high total returns. This strategy also allows investors to use market cyclicality to their advantage. Reinvesting dividends when stocks fall could improve returns over the long term.

Buying a basket of dividend stocks may be the best way to profit from such a strategy. By diversifying across a range of geographies and sectors, investors can benefit from the wealth-creating abilities of the FTSE 100 without having to worry about individual company performance.

This could help you generate a passive income. It may also result in capital gains as investor sentiment towards income stocks improves.

Should you invest, the value of your investment may rise or fall and your capital is at risk. Before investing, your individual circumstances should be assessed. Consider taking independent financial advice.

Rupert Hargreaves has no position in any of the shares mentioned. The Motley Fool UK has no position in any of the shares mentioned. 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

Young woman working at modern office. Technical price graph and indicator, red and green candlestick chart and stock trading computer screen background.
Investing Articles

A top S&P 500 value share to consider as markets sell off!

Worried about the outlook for S&P 500 shares in the New Year? Buying value stocks like this tech giant is…

Read more »

Investing Articles

£20k of savings? Here’s how an investor could target £980 of passive income each month

With a £20k pot to deploy, our writer outlines how a long-term investor could target almost £1k a month in…

Read more »

Investing Articles

FTSE shares: a bargain way to start building wealth in 2025?

Christopher Ruane explains how, by buying FTSE 100 shares at what he thinks are bargain prices, he hopes to build…

Read more »

Warren Buffett at a Berkshire Hathaway AGM
Investing Articles

3 ISA mistakes to avoid in 2025

Our writer outlines a trio of mistakes investors can make in their ISA, to their cost, and explains why he’s…

Read more »

Older couple walking in park
Investing Articles

3 UK shares to consider as a long-term investment for retirement

Our writer identifies three UK shares with long-term growth potential he believes investors should think about holding until retirement and…

Read more »

Pink 3D image of the numbers '2025' growing in size
Investing Articles

Could this beaten-down FTSE 250 stock be on the cusp of a recovery in 2025?

After this FTSE 250 financial services stock lost another 24% of its value in 2024, Andrew Mackie sees the potential…

Read more »

The Milky Way at night, over Porthgwarra beach in Cornwall
Investing Articles

Warren Buffett says make passive income while sleeping! Here’s my plan to do so

Billionaire Warren Buffett has said many wise things over the past half a century, including a thing or two about…

Read more »

Investing Articles

£5,000 invested in this FTSE 250 company 5 years ago is now worth over £24,000

Stephen Wright looks at how a FTSE 250 food stock has more than quadrupled over the last five years –…

Read more »