Share your opinion and earn yourself a free Motley Fool premium report!

We are looking for Fools to join a 75 minute online independent market research forum on 15th / 16th December.

To find out more and express your interest please click here

3 mega-cheap FTSE 100 shares that demand attention in October

Looking for the best UK bargain shares to buy? Here are three top-class FTSE 100 stocks with cheap earnings multiples to consider.

| 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.

Smiling white woman holding iPhone with Airpods in ear

Image source: Getty Images

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 leading index of British shares has a solid risen 13% in the year to date. That’s roughly in line with the performance of the high-flying S&P 500 index of US shares. And it’s all the more impressive given ongoing uncertainties facing the UK and global economies.

Yet, despite these strong rises, I believe scores of top Footsie-listed shares still look dirt cheap at today’s prices. Here are three I think deserve serious attention as we move into October.

Standard Chartered

Standard Chartered‘s (LSE:STAN) share price has risen an incredible 47% so far in 2025. Only high-flying Lloyds shares have outperformed the emerging markets company from the banking sector.

Yet, it still offers brilliant value in my view, with a forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 9.7 times. Its P/E-to-growth (PEG) ratio is also below the bargain watermark of one, at 0.5.

The risks to StanChart are high given problems in China’s property sector and tariff threats to Asian economies. But the long-term earnings opportunities are also significant as wealth levels in Asia and Africa rocket.

Encouragingly, the bank is making progress in asset management and investment banking, areas which stand to gain particularly strongly from these regions’ booming middle classes. I don’t think these opportunities are reflected in the bank’s current low valuation.

Mondi

Mondi‘s (LSE:MNDI) share price has tanked 13% since 1 January. This reflects tough trading conditions, and the threat of enduring problems should weak growth and trade tariffs impact global trade.

But I think this drop merits serious attention from value investors. The packaging manufacturer’s PEG ratio sits at a seriously low 0.1 for this year.

And it remains below 1 through the next few years, coming in at 0.4 and 0.9 for 2026 and 2027, respectively.

Mondi’s dividend yields for the period also range from 5.9% to 6%.

Mondi’s not without risks, but acquisitions and capacity increases across its portfolio leave it placed to capitalise on a cyclical upturn. Over the long term, the packaging industry looks set for robust long-term growth as e-commerce drives greater volumes of boxes and other packaging materials. This sector giant is in one of the box seats (no pun intended) to benefit from this.

GSK

GSK (LSE:GSK) shares have risen 11% in the year to date. But compared to the broader pharmaceuticals sector, the company still looks dirt cheap, its forward P/E ratio at a modest 9.5 times.

FTSE 100 rival AstraZeneca, for instance, trades on a much meatier 16.3 times.

Fears abound over GSK’s drugs pipeline versus its peers, posing questions over future earnings. But heavy R&D investment leaves it looking in its strongest position for years — the business is targeting 15 major product launches between now and 2031. This gives it significant earnings possibilities as global healthcare investment soars.

GSK shares also offer a blue-chip-busting 4.3% dividend yield right now, offering an added sweetener from a value angle.

Royston Wild has no position in any of the shares mentioned. The Motley Fool UK has recommended GSK and Standard Chartered Plc. 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

Thoughtful man using his phone while riding on a train and looking through the window
Investing Articles

Here’s how much passive income someone could earn maxing out their ISA allowance for 5 years

Christopher Ruane considers how someone might spend a few years building up their Stocks and Shares ISA to try and…

Read more »

Man putting his card into an ATM machine while his son sits in a stroller beside him.
Investing Articles

Was I wrong about Barclays shares, up 196%?

Our writer has watched Barclays shares nearly triple in five years, but stayed on the sidelines. Is he now ready…

Read more »

Wall Street sign in New York City
Investing Articles

Up 17% in 2025, can the S&P 500 power on into 2026?

Why has the S&P 500 done so well this year against a backdrop of multiple challenges? Our writer explains --…

Read more »

National Grid engineers at a substation
Investing Articles

National Grid shares are up 19% in 2025. Why?

National Grid shares have risen by almost a fifth this year. So much for it being a sleepy utility! Should…

Read more »

Road 2025 to 2032 new year direction concept
Investing Articles

Here are the potential dividend earnings from buying 1,000 Aviva shares for the next decade

Aviva has a juicy dividend -- but what might come next? Our writer digs into what the coming decade could…

Read more »

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

Just released: our top 3 small-cap stocks to consider buying in December [PREMIUM PICKS]

Small-cap shares tend to be more volatile than larger companies, so we suggest investors should look to build up a…

Read more »

This way, That way, The other way - pointing in different directions
Investing Articles

Is the unloved Aston Martin share price about to do a Rolls-Royce?

The Aston Martin share price has inflicted a world of pain on Harvey Jones, but he isn't giving up hope…

Read more »

Surprised Black girl holding teddy bear toy on Christmas
Investing Articles

How much do you need in a Stocks and Shares ISA to raise 1.7 children?

After discovering the cost of raising a child, James Beard explains why he thinks a Stocks and Shares ISA is…

Read more »