2 dirt-cheap UK shares I’ve bought to hold for 30 years!

These UK shares trade on low P/E ratios and offer vast dividend yields. Here’s why I bought them for my stocks portfolio this year.

| 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.

Young brown woman delighted with what she sees on her screen

Image source: Getty Images

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.

I’ve used recent stock market volatility as an opportunity to buy oversold UK shares. There are simply too many beaten-down bargains for me to ignore.

Here are two I’ve bought to hang onto for the next 30 years. I think they both offer excellent value for money.

Mining mammoth

Commodities stocks can prove to be volatile investments over a short time horizon. Demand for their products can sink when times get tough and so can their profits.

But over the longer term, companies like mining stocks can be excellent investments. Take Rio Tinto (LSE: RIO), for example. The company’s share price has soared a colossal 880% during the past three decades.

Of course, during any period of prolonged price weakness, shares prices of commodity miners can topple. And their ability to pay decent dividends can also be compromised. This could become a serious problem for my passive income.

Strength in depth

Look around you. Everything you own is loaded with commodities. The car you drive, the house you live in, even the mobile or laptop you’re using to read this article.

These raw materials are needed in increasingly large quantities as the global population increases. This in turn allows miners like Rio Tinto to generate exceptional long-term profits growth.

This particular mining stock produces a vast range of essential commodities. Copper is used in everything from wind turbines and fridges, to coins and gas pipes. Iron ore is an essential ingredient in steel, and aluminium is consumed in vast quantities for cars and soft drink cans.

A map showing the locations of Rio Tinto's operations
Source: Rio Tinto

Rio Tinto’s exposure to many commodities protects it from weakness in any one market. Its operations can also be found in 35 countries, as the map above shows. This provides it with further strength through diversification. At group levels this protects profits from factors like extreme weather events and rising political risk in certain nations.

I thought Rio Tinto shares were too cheap to miss when I bought them in the summer. And today I think they still offer terrific all-round value for money.

Today the FTSE 100 firm trades on a forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of six times. It also sports an enormous 9.9% dividend yield.

Energy giant

Stocks like The Renewables Infrastructure Group (LSE: TRIG) are providing an increasingly essential service. Population growth means increased energy demand. At the same time, the climate crisis means that countries are having to wean themselves off dirty fuels like oil, gas, and coal.

The Renewables Infrastructure Group is helping to soothe this problem. It has invested in solar and wind power assets across Europe. It is also increasing its exposure to the battery storage sector and last month agreed to develop three more battery assets in the UK.

Profits at firms like this are at risk from unfavourable weather conditions. So The Renewables Infrastructure Group has built a wide geographic footprint to reduce the risk from localised weather patterns.

This renewable energy stock trades on a P/E ratio of 5.8 times for 2022. And its dividend yield sits at a healthy 5.5%. Its why I plan to hold this particular UK share for the long haul.

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.

Royston Wild has positions in Rio Tinto and The Renewables Infrastructure Group Limited. 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

New year resolutions 2025 on desk. 2025 resolutions list with notebook, coffee cup on table.
Investing Articles

1 investment I’m eyeing for my Stocks and Shares ISA in 2025

Bunzl is trading at a P/E ratio of 22 with revenues set to decline year-on-year. So why is Stephen Wright…

Read more »

The flag of the United States of America flying in front of the Capitol building
Investing Articles

Where will the S&P 500 go in 2025?

The world's biggest economy and the S&P 500 index have been flying this year. Paul Summers ponders whether there are…

Read more »

Passive income text with pin graph chart on business table
Dividend Shares

How to invest £20,000 in 2025 to generate safe passive income

It’s easy to generate passive income from the stock market today. Here’s how Edward Sheldon thinks investors should build an…

Read more »

Runner standing at the starting point with 2025 year for starting in new year 2025 to achieve business planing and success concept.
Investing Articles

Could the FTSE 100 hit 9,000 in 2025?

The FTSE 100 has lagged other indexes over the last year. But some commentators believe 2025 could be a stellar…

Read more »

Investing Articles

Why selling cars could drive the Amazon share price higher in 2025

After outperforming the S&P 500 in 2024, Stephen Wright's looking at what could push the Amazon share price to greater…

Read more »

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

3 of the best British shares to consider buying for 2025

Looking for UK shares to think about buying next year? These three stocks have all been brilliant long-term investments but…

Read more »

Warren Buffett at a Berkshire Hathaway AGM
Investing Articles

5 crucial Warren Buffett investing habits and a stock to consider buying now

Here's a UK stock idea that looks like it's offering the kind of good value sought by US billionaire investor…

Read more »

Frustrated young white male looking disconsolate while sat on his sofa holding a beer
Investing Articles

2 legendary FTSE 250 shares I won’t touch with a bargepole in 2025

Roland Head looks at two household names and explains why these FTSE 250 shares are already on his list of…

Read more »