Stock market crash: 2 must-own UK shares I’d buy for the new bull market

After the stock market crash, these two UK shares look cheap and could be good ways to play the economic recovery.

| More on:

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.

The stock market crash in March caught a lot of investors by surprise. Unfortunately, UK shares have struggled ever since. It’s easy to see why investor sentiment has remained depressed. The coronavirus crisis continues to rumble on, and the Brexit drama continues. 

However, I think investors should look past these short-term headwinds. They should focus on buying high-quality stocks for the long term instead. Today, I’m going to take a look at two of these companies, which I think are worth buying for the new bull market. 

Stock market crash stocks

European gaming giant GVC Holdings (LSE: GVC) is one of a handful of companies that appear to have registered an increase in sales during the coronavirus pandemic.

Should you invest £1,000 in Tesla 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 Tesla made the list?

See the 6 stocks

The company’s latest trading updates noted an uptick in activity on its platforms, and this is expected to translate into an increase in profit for the full year.

Analysts have pencilled in a 23% increase in earnings this year. They’re also forecasting further growth of 40% in 2021. Despite this impressive growth potential, shares in the group are trading at a PEG ratio of just 0.5. That implies the stock offers a wide margin of safety at current levels. 

I’m also excited about GVC’s long-term prospects. Over the past decade, the company has gone from strength to strength, snapping up smaller peers across Europe. Thanks to this acquisition streak, net income has increased tenfold since 2014

I don’t see any reason why the company cannot continue to follow this course. As such, I think it’s one of the best UK shares to own after the stock market crash ahead of the economic recovery. 

US growth

Flutter Entertainment (LSE: FLTR) is another highly successful UK gambling business. The company’s sales have grown at a compound annual rate of 25% since 2014. A series of acquisitions have helped complement organic growth. 

Now the company is focused on expanding into the United States. This could be a massive market for the business. The US online gambling market is still relatively underdeveloped compared to the UK market, but activity is snowballing. To capitalise on this growth, US casino giant Caesars recently offered £2.9bn to buy Flutter’s peer, William Hill.

Caesars is after William Hill’s valuable online sports betting and casino technology and is willing to pay a pretty penny to gain access to this tech. 

The deal shows just how much money there is in the US market. Flutter is well-placed to capitalise on this growth. Unlike other UK shares in the sector, it already has a toehold in the US market. 

Therefore, I think it could be worth buying the stock as part of a diversified basket of UK shares after the recent stock market crash. It doesn’t look as if the group’s growth is going to slow anytime soon.

But here’s another bargain investment that looks absurdly dirt-cheap:

Like buying £1 for 31p

This seems ridiculous, but we almost never see shares looking this cheap. Yet this Share Advisor pick has a price/book ratio of 0.31. In plain English, this means that investors effectively get in on a business that holds £1 of assets for every 31p they invest!

Of course, this is the stock market where money is always at risk — these valuations can change and there are no guarantees. But some risks are a LOT more interesting than others, and at The Motley Fool we believe this company is amongst them.

What’s more, it currently boasts a stellar dividend yield of around 10%, and right now it’s possible for investors to jump aboard at near-historic lows. Want to get the name for yourself?

See the full investment case

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 owns no share mentioned. The Motley Fool UK owns shares of Flutter Entertainment. 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

DIVIDEND YIELD text written on a notebook with chart
Investing Articles

These 10 FTSE income stocks could generate £33,137 a year in dividends

Our writer looks at the highest-yielding income stocks on the FTSE 350 and considers what level of return they might…

Read more »

Mature Caucasian woman sat at a table with coffee and laptop while making notes on paper
Investing Articles

What to do now before the next stock market crash

The recent stock market volatility seems to have subsided… for now. But that gives investors a chance to get ready…

Read more »

British Isles on nautical map
Investing Articles

Lower tariffs could be a game-changer for this FTSE 100 stock

Diageo shares have lagged the FTSE 100 badly over the last five years. But could lower tariffs on exports to…

Read more »

Content white businesswoman being congratulated by colleagues at her retirement party
Investing Articles

Smart investors are using a SIPP to become retirement millionaires! Here’s how to aim high

Investing in a SIPP can supercharge retirement savings and even lead to a million-pound nest egg by sparing just £500…

Read more »

Woman riding her old fashioned bicycle along the Beach Esplanade at Aberdeen, Scotland.
Investing Articles

2 world-class dividend stocks to consider for a retirement portfolio

These dividend stocks are relatively defensive in nature, meaning they could be well-suited to those seeking capital preservation.

Read more »

Businessman hand stacking money coins with virtual percentage icons
Investing Articles

7 simple Warren Buffett tips that could make investors richer

While Warren Buffett will soon be stepping down as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, his investing advice remains more relevant than…

Read more »

Silhouette of a bull standing on top of a landscape with the sun setting behind it
Investing Articles

3 world-class dividend shares to consider before the next bull market

Falling interest rates could be a blessing for UK dividend shares. These three high-quality stocks deserve a close look as…

Read more »

Mature black woman at home texting on her cell phone while sitting on the couch
Investing Articles

Does Alphabet or Apple stock offer the best value for investors?

Apple stock's been through the mill in 2025 with trade worries weighing on the share price. Mag 7 peer Alphabet's…

Read more »