We have some exciting news to share! The Motley Fool UK has now become The Twelfth Magpie -- an independent, UK-owned company, led by our long-serving UK management team — Mark Rogers, Chris Nials and Heather Adlington. In practical terms, it’s the same team you know, now fully focused on serving our UK readers and members.

Just as importantly, our approach remains unchanged: long-term, jargon-free, and on your side. This site is our new home, and there will be extra tweaks made across the coming few days as we settle in. So if anything looks a little off, please bear with us!

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.

Stock market rally: is it too late to buy and hold cheap dividend stocks?

Can investors still obtain a potent mix of capital growth and a generous passive income over the long run from cheap dividend stocks?

Hand holding pound notes

Image source: Getty Images.

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Twelfth Magpie’s Premium Investing Services. Become a member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn more, and get a free 'Best Buy Now' stock!.

The rally following the 2020 stock market crash has allowed many shares to trade at significantly higher prices. Despite this, it’s still possible to purchase cheap dividend stocks in order to obtain a generous passive income and the potential for capital growth.

Through focusing on their quality and future prospects, an investor can realistically build an attractive portfolio of income shares. On a relative basis, it could deliver high returns in a low interest rate environment.

Should you buy Rolls Royce shares today?

Before you decide, please take a moment to review this report first. Despite ongoing uncertainties from US tariffs to global conflicts, Mark Rogers and his team believe many UK shares still trade at substantial discounts, offering savvy investors plenty of potential opportunities to learn about.

That’s why this could be an ideal time to secure this valuable research – Mark’s analysts have scoured the markets to reveal 5 of his favourite long-term ‘Buys’. Please, don’t make any big decisions before seeing them.

Cheap dividend stocks may still be available

While the recent stock market rally has pushed many share valuations to higher levels, some sectors remain modestly valued by comparison. Within them it may be possible to buy cheap dividend stocks. Certainly since bullish investors may have turned their attention to other industries that apparently offer higher growth rates at present.

For example, a number of strong businesses in the retail and consumer goods sectors appear to have bright long-term outlooks. Moreover, they seem to have the financial means to overcome future risks from a challenging economic outlook to produce a rising dividend payout for investors. Due to weak investor sentiment at the present time, they could offer the potential to generate impressive total returns in the coming years.

Focusing on the quality of income shares

Of course, not every cheap dividend stock could be worth buying. The world economy has experienced one of its biggest ever shocks in recent months. As such, high dividends from previous years may fail to be paid in future. Similarly, some companies may struggle to survive difficult operating conditions. Especially if they have large debts or weak cash flow.

Therefore, it’s important to check the quality of any stock before buying it. This can mean taking steps such as reading its latest investor updates, assessing its strategy, and analysing recent annual reports. Doing so allows an investor to build a strong picture of the company in question so they avoid potentially unattractive investments.

Moreover, they may be able to find the strongest businesses that trade at the lowest prices. They could prove to be the most appealing cheap dividend stocks to buy at the present time.

Considering the relative appeal of dividend shares

Cheap dividend stocks may be less prevalent than they were several months ago due to the stock market rally. However, their relative appeal appears to be high. The world is currently operating in a low interest rate environment that could persist for a number of months, or even years.

Therefore, relying on other income-producing assets to generate a passive income may prove to be a disappointing move. By contrast, the return potential from dividend shares that trade at low prices could be highly attractive from a long-term standpoint.

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

Asian man looking concerned while studying paperwork at his desk in an office
Investing Articles

Down 41% since January, this quality S&P 500 stock is stinking out my ISA

The tide's turned against this S&P 500 robotics stock. Is it time to dump it? Or is there a no-brainer…

Read more »

GSK scientist holding lab syringe
Investing Articles

By mid-2027, analysts expect £6,000 in GSK shares to be worth…

GSK shares are currently trading almost 20% below their 2026 highs. Is there potential for a rebound over the next…

Read more »

Rolls-Royce's Pearl 10X engine series
Investing Articles

Up nearly 1,400% in 5 years! But are Rolls-Royce shares still secretly undervalued?

After skyrocketing, Rolls-Royce shares are now near an all-time high, but could the engineering giant still have more room to…

Read more »

Happy senior couple hugging and enjoying retirement at home
Investing Articles

By mid-2027, analysts expect £5,000 in Barclays shares to be worth…

Barclays shares have outperformed the FTSE 100 by a wide margin over the last year. And City analysts expect to…

Read more »

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

Near 5-year lows, here’s what the experts say about the Diageo share price

Ben McPoland's questioning his sanity after investing in Diageo. Where do institutional analysts see its share price heading over the…

Read more »

British Airways cabin crew with mobile device
Investing Articles

Up 165% but still with a P/E of 7.9. Is the IAG share price a generational bargain?

The IAG share price has been on fire for the last two years, delivering some of the biggest returns in…

Read more »

Emma Raducanu for Vodafone billboard animation at Piccadilly Circus, London
Investing Articles

Here’s the latest Vodafone share price forecasts for 2027

Up 35% in 12 months, the Vodafone share price is beating the stock market right now, but can this momentum…

Read more »

Close-up image depicting a woman in her 70s taking British bank notes from her colourful leather wallet.
Investing For Beginners

At almost 20-year highs, here’s where the experts think the Barclays share price could go from here

Jon Smith points out that the Barclays share price could still move higher in the coming year, with several positive…

Read more »