Buying cheap UK shares after the recent stock market crash may not lead to high returns in the short run. After all, the world economy faces an uncertain future that could weigh on stock prices over the coming months.
However, with valuations now appearing to include wide margins of safety in some cases, there may be buying opportunities for long-term investors.
With that in mind, here are two UK shares that appear to offer good value for money. They could boost your retirement plans over the coming years.
Should you invest £1,000 in ITV right now?
When investing expert Mark Rogers has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the flagship Motley Fool Share Advisor newsletter he has run for nearly a decade has provided thousands of paying members with top stock recommendations from the UK and US markets. And right now, Mark thinks there are 6 standout stocks that investors should consider buying. Want to see if ITV made the list?
Dividend growth opportunity
Among UK shares that have recorded falls since the start of the year is SSE (LSE: SSE). Its share price has fallen by 9% in 2020, with the utility company’s recent results highlighting the impact that coronavirus is having on its financial performance.
For example, the business reported a decline in adjusted operating profit of 37% for the 2020 financial year. Lower electricity demand was a major contributor that could persist over the short run.
Despite this, SSE maintained its dividend payout for the year. Even though it faces an uncertain regulatory environment, it plans to stick to its five-year dividend plan that could see shareholder payouts increase at a similar pace to inflation. This could make the stock relatively attractive in an era where dividend cuts have become somewhat commonplace across a wide range of UK shares.
Certainly, the company faces difficult operating conditions in the short run. However, its investment in the green economy could pay off over the coming years through catalysing its bottom line.
With the stock having a current dividend yield of 6%, it appears to offer good value for money. As such, now could be the right time to buy a slice of it for the long term.
Undervalued relative to UK shares
Another business that could be worth buying today within a portfolio of UK shares is ITV (LSE: ITV). The company’s market value has fallen by 55% since the start of the year. This is somewhat unsurprising due to its cyclical status at a time when the UK faces one of its deepest recessions in living memory.
The company’s most recent trading update highlighted a 7% drop in revenue, with reduced advertiser demand and restrictions on working practices contributing to its weak financial performance.
In response, ITV is seeking to cut costs and will continue to invest in its digital services. They could provide the business with a growth catalyst over the long run. Indeed, streaming and online services look set to become more popular among consumers.
Clearly, further falls cannot be ruled out for the ITV share price. Alongside other UK shares, it faces an unclear future. However, its stock price appears to take into account many of the risks it faces. And with its seemingly sound strategy, it could offer recovery potential that helps to improve your retirement prospects in a diverse portfolio of stocks.
