Forget the State Pension! I’d invest in these 2 FTSE 100 stocks in 2020 to retire early

These two FTSE 100 (INDEXFTSE:UKX) shares appear to offer long-term recovery potential in my view.

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The FTSE 100 may have delivered impressive returns in recent months, but there are still a number of companies that have experienced disappointing performances. Buying them while they trade on lower valuations could prove to be a sound long-term strategy, which leads to higher returns.

Since the State Pension currently amounts to just £8,767 per annum and the age at which it starts being paid is expected to rise over the next decade, now could be the right time to start building a retirement nest egg.

Here are two FTSE 100 shares that are currently experiencing challenging trading conditions, but which could deliver improving performances in the coming years.

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

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ITV

As a cyclical stock, it is perhaps unsurprising that ITV (LSE: ITV) is delivering disappointing levels of profit growth at the present time. With consumer confidence and business confidence being low, demand for its television advertising is coming under pressure. It may also be losing out to some degree to the increasing appeal of online advertising, which is generally simpler and easier for companies to engage in.

In response, ITV is investing in improving its digital growth prospects. It is also seeking to gain ground within the lucrative streaming services segment through its joint venture with the BBC. Meanwhile, cost reductions and an increasing international focus could de-risk the business and improve its long-term growth prospects.

With the stock currently trading on a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of just 11.6, now could be the right time to buy a slice of it. Although in the near term it may not generate improving financial performance, it appears to have a sound strategy that could catalyse its profitability in the coming years. This may lead to a share price recovery.

Unilever

Also experiencing challenging operating conditions is FTSE 100 consumer goods business Unilever (LSE: ULVR). It recently released a trading update where it highlighted the difficult market environment it has been faced with in key geographies such as China. It therefore expects sales to disappoint in the short run, although it is on track to deliver rising profitability.

This caused a decline in Unilever’s share price. For example, it has declined by around 20% in the past four months. While further falls in its market valuation cannot be ruled out, the company has a strong presence across a range of emerging economies. With wage growth set to rise in the medium term, demand for its products could increase. This may catalyse its sales performance and lead to a return to share price growth.

Certainly, Unilever is not a cheap stock compared to the wider FTSE 100 – even after its recent decline. However, its P/E ratio of 18.2 is significantly lower than its recent rating, and could mean that there is scope for improving capital returns as the company benefits from an uptick in sales.

5 stocks for trying to build wealth after 50

The cost of living crisis shows no signs of slowing… the conflict in the Middle East and Ukraine shows no sign of resolution, while the global economy could be teetering on the brink of recession.

Whether you’re a newbie investor or a seasoned pro, deciding which stocks to add to your shopping list can be a daunting prospect during such unprecedented times. Yet despite the stock market’s recent gains, we think many shares still trade at a discount to their true value.

Fortunately, The Motley Fool UK analyst team have short-listed five companies that they believe STILL boast significant long-term growth prospects despite the global upheaval…

We’re sharing the names in a special FREE investing report that you can download today. We believe these stocks could be a great fit for any well-diversified portfolio with the goal of building wealth in your 50’s.

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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 owns shares of Unilever. The Motley Fool UK owns shares of and has recommended Unilever. The Motley Fool UK has recommended ITV. 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.

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