FTSE 100 ‘to hit 10,000’! 5 reasons why I’d buy UK shares today to get rich

UK shares are now at their cheapest level since 1973 and this fact could make now a great time to invest in the FTSE 100 before it starts flying.

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.

UK shares haven’t had the best of times this century. The FTSE 100 has trailed global stock markets for years, but there are good reasons why that may now change.

On 31 December 1999, the index ended the Millennium trading at 6,930. Incredibly, today it is around 600 points lower, at 6,360. Yet investors have still made plenty of money from UK shares over that time. First, most won’t have bought at the Millennium peak, but at cheaper prices. Second, they will have benefited from reinvested dividends.

Over the 20 years to 31 December 2019, the FTSE 100 rose just 8.8%, or 600 points. Yet if I had reinvested all my dividends for growth, my total return over that time would have been 122%, according to figures from Schroders. And that’s if I bought at the very top. If I bought at much lower levels, as almost everyone will have done, I will have generated a lot more growth.

Here’s why I’d buy UK shares

Why am I telling you this? Because I’ve just seen an interesting argument from investment analyst Brian Dennehy, of FundExpert. He reckons there is a clear potential for the FTSE 100 to rise 50% from here. If he is right, that would push the index towards the 10,000 mark and make investors who buy today rich. Especially as they will get dividends on top.

Dennehy says his prediction may look extreme, and admits it will take several years, but gives five reasons why it could happen.

  • The UK stock market has effectively gone sideways for more than 20 years.
  • UK shares are now cheaper than at any time since 1973, relative to the rest of the world.
  • The impact of the pandemic has been to make what was cheap, even cheaper.
  • Global investors have been very underweight the UK since the EU referendum of 2016.
  • Once Brexit is done (in whatever form), global investors will have much greater certainty.

Dennehy sees plenty of pent-up optimism, but not a lot of money actually being invested.  He reckons there is a wave of money waiting to wash across the UK, once sentiment turns. By contrast, he is wary of the US, which has been the world’s standout market over the last decade, saying it is “now self-evidently a mania”.

At the Fool, we are rightly wary of stock market predictions. “The future’s not ours to see“, as the words of the song go! What we do know is that buying UK shares when they are cheap always makes sense. That’s what I endeavour to do, with the intention of holding them for the long term to allow time for them to recover.

I believe we have a great opportunity today, despite the recent jump on the back of Covid-19 vaccine results. Nobody knows when the FTSE 100 will hit 10,000. It could be another 20 years. However, history shows that if I reinvest my dividends and I’m patient, I will make money from this stock market, whatever happens.

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.

Harvey Jones 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

Investing Articles

Here’s how I’d use £3,000 to target a second income that grows each year

Our writer explains the approach he'd take to trying to build a second income that gets bigger over time, by…

Read more »

Elevated view over city of London skyline
Investing Articles

Is it time to buy this incredible FTSE dividend share?

Christopher Ruane examines one FTSE 100 share with a phenomenal dividend history. Does a steep share price fall this year…

Read more »

Concept of two young professional men looking at a screen in a technological data centre
Investing Articles

This FTSE 100 share has just crashed another 20%. Its P/E is now just 9.9 so should I buy?

Harvey Jones was tempted to buy this FTSE 100 share after it crashed in October. Now it's crashed again, it…

Read more »

Investing Articles

Could Trump 2.0 be good for FTSE 250 stocks?

Donald Trump’s just been elected President of the United States for a second time. Our writer considers whether this could…

Read more »

Investing Articles

Trading at a 10-year low, this FTSE income stock now yields a chunky 6.99%!

Harvey Jones has been watching from the sidelines as shares in this FTSE 100 income stock just fall and fall.…

Read more »

Dividend Shares

Is a Bank of England rate cut good for the Lloyds share price?

Ken Hall analyses what the latest interest rate cut could mean for the Lloyds share price with the UK bank’s…

Read more »

Investing Articles

2 brilliant bargains I’m considering for my Stocks and Shares ISA!

These FTSE 100 and FTSE 250 shares offer exceptional value on paper. Here's why I'm considering them for my Stocks…

Read more »

Shot of a senior man drinking coffee and looking thoughtfully out of a window
Dividend Shares

How much passive income could I generate with just £10 per day?

Ken Hall wants to create his £10,000 yearly passive income dream by investing just £10 every weekday day in Footsie…

Read more »