Forget gold and Bitcoin. I think dirt-cheap stocks can make you rich

Buying dirt-cheap stocks after the market crash could be a sound means of generating high returns in the long run. Undervalued shares have historically offered strong capital gains as the stock market recovers from its lows.

Although other assets such as Bitcoin and gold have risen sharply in price over recent months, the risk/reward opportunity from stocks could be more appealing. Over time, the stock market could help you to improve your financial situation.

Dirt-cheap stocks

Buying dirt-cheap stocks and holding them for the long term is a relatively simple investment strategy. However, it could prove to be highly effective in generating impressive returns.

The stock market has a long history of experiencing ups-and-downs that provides an opportunity for investors to buy stocks when they are undervalued, and sell them when they are overvalued. Clearly, executing that strategy is likely to be more difficult than it sounds in theory, since low points in the stock market’s performance generally coincide with higher risks.

As such, buying dirt-cheap stocks will not necessarily produce positive returns in the short run. It may even mean paper losses if the economy’s outlook deteriorates further. However, at the present time, valuations on offer across the stock market suggest that investors are pricing in difficult operating conditions for many businesses. This could mean that the margins of safety on offer are sufficiently wide to merit investment. Over the long run, this may translate into high profits for investors.

Value investing

Of course, buying dirt-cheap stocks does not mean that investors should overlook their attributes. In other words, it is far better to buy stocks that are not necessarily the cheapest around, but rather are those that offer the best value for money.

For example, paying more for a stronger business within an industry could a worthwhile move. It may be better placed to overcome short-term risks that are currently facing the economy. It could also become more dominant in the long run, and generate higher profits, if it can outlast weaker peers. This may translate into higher returns for investors – even though they may have initially paid a higher price compared to other stocks in the same sector.

A long-term hold

While dirt-cheap stocks may be outperformed by other assets such as gold and Bitcoin in the short run, over the long run they could produce more attractive returns. The track record of the stock market shows that a sustained bull market is likely following a market crash.

Therefore, by purchasing stocks while they are good value for money in many cases, you can potentially enjoy improving investor sentiment and rising profitability for many listed companies. Over time, this may lead to strong capital gains that improve your financial position.

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Motley Fool contributor Peter Stephens has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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