I’d buy bargain FTSE 100 shares ahead of the 2020 stock market recovery to make a million

A FTSE 100 (INDEXFTSE:UKX) stock market recovery may seem unlikely, but buying bargain shares could help you to make a million in my view.

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 FTSE 100 stock market crash may have caused many investors to doubt the index’s recovery potential. After all, major risks such as a weak economic outlook and a continued rise in coronavirus cases are present.

However, investor sentiment has often been downbeat soon after a market crash. The index, though, has always been able to recover from its variety of bear markets since its inception to produce new record highs.

As such, now could be an opportune moment to buy bargain FTSE 100 shares to improve your chances of making a million over the long run.

Passive income stocks: our picks

Do you like the idea of dividend income?

The prospect of investing in a company just once, then sitting back and watching as it potentially pays a dividend out over and over?

If you’re excited by the thought of regular passive income payments, as well as the potential for significant growth on your initial investment…

Then we think you’ll want to see this report inside Motley Fool Share Advisor — ‘5 Essential Stocks For Passive Income Seekers’.

What’s more, today we’re giving away one of these stock picks, absolutely free!

Get your free passive income stock pick

FTSE 100 recovery potential

The FTSE 100 has experienced many declines and bear markets in its history. A common theme among them is that investor sentiment has understandably been weak in their aftermath, but the index has always gone on to recover.

At the present time, such an outcome may seem unlikely to many investors. There are, after all, significant risks facing the world economy’s prospects that could create challenging trading conditions for many large-cap shares. However, factors such as wide margins of safety currently on offer in the index, and a likely return to positive GDP growth as fiscal and monetary policy action impacts on the world economy, could lead to rising stock prices.

As such, now could be the right time to buy a diverse range of FTSE 100 shares while they offer attractive valuations. Their current prices may prove to be temporary in many cases, and could offer capital growth potential.

Accessing the FTSE 100’s recovery prospects

Investors who buy FTSE 100 shares must accept that there is a realistic chance they will experience paper losses in the short run. The economy’s outlook is incredibly uncertain at the present time, and things could get worse for many businesses before they improve.

As such, it is imperative that investors have a long-term outlook when buying shares at the present time. Otherwise, they may become disappointed in a period when market volatility may be high for many months.

Similarly, it is important to invest in high-quality businesses that can overcome short-term risks to post long-term recoveries. Taking the time to assess company balance sheets and their overall strategies could be very worthwhile, and may increase your chances of generating strong returns as the FTSE 100 recovers.

Making a million from large-cap shares

Making a million from buying bargain FTSE 100 shares may seem to be a distant prospect. However, the index’s past performance suggests that buying high-quality companies and holding them for the long run is a sound means of generating relatively impressive returns for your portfolio. Over time, and as the stock market recovers, you could obtain a surprisingly large portfolio that may even be valued at seven figures.

Our analysis has uncovered an incredible value play!

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.

Peter Stephens 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

16% lower in 10 days, does Prudential’s share price look a compelling bargain to me?

Prudential’s share price is down a lot from its one-year traded high, which suggests a bargain to be had. I…

Read more »

Person holding magnifying glass over important document, reading the small print
Investing Articles

Down 17% in a week! This FTSE 100 growth stock is one I’m watching

Over the last five years, Informa has shown itself to be one of the UK’s most resilient growth stocks. So…

Read more »

Investing Articles

2 defensive US growth stocks to consider even as the S&P 500 slides

With trade tariffs causing global market mayhem, risk-averse investors may want to consider shifting into defensive US growth stocks.

Read more »

Investing Articles

As Trump’s tariffs sink the FTSE 100, I’m following Warren Buffett’s advice and shopping for bargains

With the FTSE 100 now officially in a correction period, Andrew Mackie's not sitting on cash waiting to see where…

Read more »

Asian man looking concerned while studying paperwork at his desk in an office
Investing Articles

2 reasons why this stock market crash isn’t a repeat of 2020

When the stock market crashed during the Covid-19 pandemic, the recovery was rapid and spectacular. Could the same thing happen…

Read more »

Investing Articles

Car-mageddon! The Aston Martin share price has tanked 30% in a month

Our writer looks at the performance of the Aston Martin share price over the past few weeks and considers whether…

Read more »

Asian man looking concerned while studying paperwork at his desk in an office
Investing For Beginners

I was right about the UK stock impact from the tariff news. Here’s what I think happens next

Jon Smith explains why he warned about the impact of the tariffs on UK stocks and why more short-term pain…

Read more »

Investing Articles

Looking for penny shares? Here’s one I think looks like a terrific bargain to consider!

I think this penny share -- which has almost doubled in value over the last year -- is one of…

Read more »