Stock market crash! I’d buy these 2 cheap UK shares now to get rich

These two cheap UK shares could offer long-term recovery potential after falling heavily in the 2020 stock market crash, in my opinion.

| 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.

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 2020 stock market crash has left many cheap UK shares facing difficult outlooks. As such, investor sentiment is weak and, in many cases, has shown minimal signs of improving.

This situation could present buying opportunities for long-term investors like me. The FTSE 100 and FTSE 250 have excellent track records of recovery from even their very worst bear markets.

With that in mind, here are two FTSE 100 stocks that appear to me to offer good value for money. They may struggle to produce recoveries in the short run due to the challenging economic outlook. But their long-term turnaround potential appears to be relatively attractive.

A sharp decline in the stock market crash

The Barclays (LSE: BARC) share price has declined by around 40% since the stock market crash first started. The bank’s outlook has been negatively impacted by an uncertain economic outlook. Its financial prospects are also likely to be dampened by a low period of low interest rates.

As a result, investor sentiment towards Barclays has come under severe pressure. It now trades on a forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of around 9 using next year’s forecasts. This suggests that investors may have factored in many of the challenges faced by the bank and the wider FTSE 100 banking sector.

The company’s recent updates have shown that it has made progress in areas such as cost reduction and improving its financial standing. This could make it a more resilient and profitable entity in the long run. As such, it may offer recovery potential after falling heavily in the stock market crash.

A cheap UK share with turnaround prospects

British Land (LSE: BLND) is another FTSE 100 share that has fallen heavily since the stock market crash. It is currently down by around 40% since the start of 2020, with lockdown measures putting the financial situations of its tenants under severe pressure.

The company’s recent updates have shown that rent collection and footfall are down significantly within its retail locations versus the same period last year. It also faces the challenge of adapting to a changing retail environment, where buying products online is becoming more popular. Similarly, working from home may mean less demand for its office space.

However, its retail asset sales and strong balance sheet could provide it with the means to deliver improving long-term performance. British Land’s share price now trades at less than 50% of net asset value. This suggests that investors may have priced in declines in the value of commercial property assets, as well as a challenging period for the business.

Therefore, the stock could offer recovery potential following the stock market crash. It may yet experience further challenges as the second lockdown period commences. However, on a long-term basis, improving investor sentiment and a strengthening economic outlook may catalyse its prospects.

Peter Stephens owns shares of Barclays and British Land Co. The Motley Fool UK has recommended Barclays and British Land Co. 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

Front view of aircraft in flight.
Investing Articles

Is it game over for the BP share price rally?

The BP share price has looked like a one-way bet in recent weeks as oil and gas prices soar but…

Read more »

Man hanging in the balance over a log at seaside in Scotland
Investing Articles

Amid geopolitical and AI risks, here’s how I’m positioning my ISA and SIPP in 2026

Edward Sheldon explains how he's allocating capital within his investment accounts and SIPP amid the various risks to the market.

Read more »

Young mixed-race woman looking out of the window with a look of consternation on her face
Investing Articles

My game plan for the next stock market crash

Markets have been surprisingly resilient during the recent Middle East conflict but we still cannot rule out a stock market…

Read more »

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

1 top growth stock to consider buying after it crashed 59%

This S&P 500 growth stock has fallen off a cliff lately due to AI software fears. Our writer thinks this…

Read more »

A mature woman help a senior woman out of a car as she takes her to the shops.
Investing Articles

Here’s how a 35-year-old putting £15 a day into an ISA could end up earning £18k+ of passive income annually!

A 35-year-old with no ISA but a willingness to invest relatively small sums could one day be earning many thousands…

Read more »

Young black colleagues high-fiving each other at work
Investing Articles

With the potential to double in 10 years, this could be a dividend stock to consider buying

With a yield of 7.2%, income investors might consider buying this stock. But reinvesting the dividends could deliver even more…

Read more »

Happy couple showing relief at news
Investing Articles

How much would someone need to invest in the stock market to target a £1,250 monthly second income?

Investing in the stock market can help deliver long-term wealth. But James Beard says it can also be a way…

Read more »

happy senior couple using a laptop in their living room to look at their financial budgets
Investing Articles

How much would someone need in an ISA to aim to treble the current State Pension?

Experts say the State Pension isn’t generous enough to provide a comfortable retirement. James Beard says the stock market could…

Read more »