Are there any reopening ASX shares that are still cheap?

Post-COVID recovery stocks are all pretty expensive now. But 2 experts have picked 3 contenders that look good at the moment.

| More on:

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

Investors have been busy over the past 12 months grabbing whatever ASX shares for businesses they reckon will prosper in the post-COVID world.

So can there possibly be any "re-opening" stocks remaining that aren't already fully priced for their spectacular post-lockdown resurgence?

Forager Funds senior analyst Gaston Amoros certainly thinks so.

A man in business suit wearing old fashioned pilot's leather headgear, goggles and scarf bounces on a pogo stick in a dry, arid environment with nothing else around except distant hills in the background.

Image source: Getty Images

A large overseas business that's mispriced

"There is one that we like that we own — Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield CDI (ASX: URW). It's the owner of Westfield malls in the USA and UK, and Unibail malls in Europe," he told a Forager video

"It's not really performing in line with the other stocks at this time."

While other retail-related stocks have boomed, URW shares have gone sideways — up just 0.4% for the year so far.

But the Forager team believes the share performance doesn't fairly reflect the real-life operations.

"The business is actually trading very well. It's recovering," said Amoros.

"They told us in August at the time of the half-year results that both sales and [foot] traffic are actually recovering quite quickly."

In the US, shopping mall sales are already back to pre-pandemic levels, he added.

"In the case of Europe, they're like 80% or 90% of pre-COVID levels, which is a nice trajectory."

In both regions, URW is selling off assets, which is helping to decrease debt on their books.

"We think it's quite an interesting opportunity."

Please note that Westfield shopping malls in Australia are owned and operated by another company, Scentre Group (ASX: SCG).

2 ASX shares that have raised capital to survive

Understandably, coronavirus lockdowns have devastated car smash repair and gym businesses.

According to Forager Funds senior analyst Alex Shevelev, that forced both AMA Group Ltd (ASX: AMA) and Viva Leisure Ltd (ASX: VVA) to raise capital in recent times.

"The reaction from this capital raise was really interesting," he said.

"AMA Group raised $100 million plus $50 million convertible note and is now trading 33% higher than the initial raise price in the matter of a month. Viva, much the same — in a matter of a couple of months it's rallied more than 50%."

Shevelev added that this showed even if a company has to raise funds to survive, a "clear line of sight" to the end of lockdowns has meant investors are willing to back them.

NSW has already announced a staged reopening plan for 70% and 80% vaccination levels, expected this month. On December 1, much of society will resume normal operations, including for unvaccinated people.

The other state suffering from the Delta strain, Victoria, has also outlined a recovery roadmap, although not to the detail or as liberal as its northern neighbour.

Motley Fool contributor Tony Yoo has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson.

More on Broker Notes

A man in his 30s with a clipped beard sits at his laptop on a desk with one finger to the side of his face and his chin resting on his thumb as he looks concerned while staring at his computer screen.
Broker Notes

Buy, hold, sell: Life360, Northern Star, and Sigma shares

Are these popular shares buys? Here's how analysts rate them.

Read more »

Business man marking buy on board and underlining it.
Broker Notes

6 ASX All Ords shares elevated to strong buy status after March sell-off

The ASX All Ords fell 8% in March after the US and Israel attacked Iran and oil and gas prices…

Read more »

Red buy button on an Apple keyboard with a finger on it.
Broker Notes

Brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy right now

Here's why brokers are feeling bullish about these three shares this week.

Read more »

Woman using a pen on a digital stock market chart in an office.
Broker Notes

Could these ASX stocks double by the end of 2026?

These 5 stocks could be undervalued.

Read more »

An investor wearing a dressing gown and holding a cup of coffee in a yellow mug gives a satisfied smile.
Broker Notes

7 ASX 200 shares just upgraded to strong buy ratings

Looking for inspiration after the March sell-off?

Read more »

A couple sitting in their living room and checking their finances.
Broker Notes

Buy, hold, sell: CSL, Magellan, and Woodside shares

Do analysts think these blue-chips are in the buy zone? Let's find out.

Read more »

I young woman takes a bite out of a burrito n the street outside a Mexican fast-food establishment.
Broker Notes

Up 32% this week, are Guzman Y Gomez shares a good buy today?

A leading analyst delivers his outlook for Guzman Y Gomez shares.

Read more »

A young woman sits at her desk in deep contemplation with her hand to her chin while seriously considering information she is reading on her laptop.
Broker Notes

Buy, hold, or sell? Bubs, Soul Patts, and Endeavour shares

Experts have reviewed their ratings on these ASX shares.

Read more »