Here’s why I see cheap UK shares soaring in the years ahead

UK shares look undervalued and this Fool plans to take advantage of it. Here he details one stock he’s keen to top up on.

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Retail investors have endured a lot of pain in the last few years and share prices have taken a beating. But instead of complaining, I want to make the most of it. That’s why I’m buying cheap UK shares.

It’s a rare opportunity I believe investors should consider pouncing on. Today, the FTSE 100 trades on an average price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of just 11, which is below its historic average of around 14. Yet yesterday (22 April), the index closed at an all-time high. That’s a mismatch I plan to capitalise on.

Better times ahead

The FTSE 100 has risen 4.4% year to date while the FTSE 250 has climbed 0.8%. With that in mind, it seems like things could be on the up going forward.

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

See the 6 stocks

Both indexes have been ticking upwards as investor sentiment has steadily been rising. Market spectators are gearing up for interest rate cuts as early as June as inflation slowly drops closer to the government’s 2% target. Looking ahead, as cuts continue over the months and years to come, this should provide markets with a boost.

We’ve also had some positive retail figures in the first few months of the year, which further signal that we’re heading in the right direction.

Of course, threats do persist. Rate cut talk is speculative. And while inflation is falling, it still lingers.

Yet regardless of any potential near-term setbacks, I think UK-listed companies are well-positioned for growth in the years to come. With that, I’m going shopping.

A bargain stock

HSBC (LSE: HSBA) is a perfect example. In the last 12 months, its share price has shot up by 15.4%. This year alone it has climbed 5%. Yet the stock has a P/E ratio of a mere 7.2. I can’t help but feel that looks like an absolute steal.

Created with Highcharts 11.4.3HSBC Holdings PriceZoom1M3M6MYTD1Y5Y10YALLwww.fool.co.uk

To go with its dirt cheap valuation, there’s also a whopping 7.4% dividend yield at play. That beats the 3.9% Footsie average by a clear distance.

When I take into consideration the special dividend it plans to pay this year after selling its Canadian unit for just shy of $10bn, the stock boasts an incredible 9.4% yield.

Next year, it’s expected its yield will come in at 7.4%. By 2026, that will rise to 7.9%. That’s part of management’s commitment to return 50% of earnings to shareholders via dividends.

HSBC has wobbled recently. In the last few months, its exposure to Asia has been its Achilles heel. The Chinese property market, in which HSBC is heavily invested, has faltered. That may harm its near-term prospects.

However, in the long run, I expect its exposure to the exciting region to pay off. The business has pivoted to place more focus on building its capabilities in Asia and on higher-growth areas such as wealth management.

At its cut price, I think HSBC shares look like a great opportunity for investors to consider. At least, that’s what I’d be doing. If I had the cash, I’d rush to add more HSBC stock to my holdings.


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.

HSBC Holdings is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. Charlie Keough has positions in HSBC Holdings. The Motley Fool UK has recommended HSBC Holdings. 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.

Like buying £1 for 51p

This seems ridiculous, but we almost never see shares looking this cheap. Yet this recent ‘Best Buy Now’ has a price/book ratio of 0.51. In plain English, this means that investors effectively get in on a business that holds £1 of assets for every 51p 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 8.5%, 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

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