Top 50 FTSE stocks (Vol.2)

HIighlights

• The UK stock market has different indices, which group together similar characteristics companies.

• The benchmark, FTSE 100 index, which has the top 100 companies by market capitalisation, is widely followed by investors to gauge overall market sentiments.

In the first part of the top FTSE 50 stocks article, we had discussed the top 25 stocks, now let us explore the next 25 top companies by market capitalisation:

26. Ashtead Group Plc (LON: AHT)

The company operates in the equipment rental business. It provides a range of products and services to construction and industrial segment clients in the UK and other countries.

The pick-up in the construction and other industrial activities amid the global economic recovery in the last one year has positively impacted the company’s business. It reported a 20% rise in rental income, while its overall revenue was up by 18% at £3,884 million in the six months to 31 October 2021.

Ashtead Group Plc’s current market cap stands at £22,502 million as of 28 January 2022. Its 5-year average dividend yield stands at 1.4 per cent.

27. BAE Systems Plc (LON: BA.)

The defence and security solution provider have business operations across several countries. The company has a huge order book and expects to deliver higher sales growth in the coming years.

In November 2021, the company acquired US-based military training software developer Bohemia Interactive Simulations.

BAE Systems Plc’s current market cap stands at £19,161 million as of 28 January 2022. Its 5-year average dividend yield stands at 4.1 per cent.

28. BT Group Plc (LON: BT. A)

The telecom sector company is one of the leading network providers in the UK. It provides various telecom services to 180 countries.

The company has been considered a takeover target by many institutional investors. Most recently, Altice UK, a company owned by Patrick Drahi, has raised its stake in the company from 12.1% to 18%.

BT Group Plc’s current market cap stands at £19,001 million as of 28 January 2022. Its 5-year average dividend yield stands at 6.8 per cent.

29. Flutter Entertainment Plc (LON: FLTR)

The company provides sports betting and gaming services in the UK and the US market. It reported total revenue of £1,439 million for the third quarter ended 30 September 2021.

The company has been reporting organic business growth as well as expanding inorganically like acquisitions of peer companies in different markets. Most recently, it acquired Italy-based online gaming operator, Sisal and UK-based recreational online bingo company, Tombola.

Flutter Entertainment Plc’s current market cap stands at £18,633 million as of 28 January 2022. Its 5-year average dividend yield stands at 2.8 per cent.

30. Legal & General Group Plc (LON: LGEN)

The insurance sector company provides various products related to investment and retirement. The company reported operating profits of £1,079 million, a rise of 14% in the first half of 2021. As a result of good performance, the company declared an interim dividend of 5.18p per share to its shareholders.

Legal & General Group Plc’s current market cap stands at £17,182 million as of 28 January 2022. Its 5-year average dividend yield stands at 3.3 per cent.

31. Imperial Brands Plc (LON: IMB)

The UK-based firm manufactures and sells tobacco and its related products. It is one of the oldest companies in the UK, operating since 1901.

It has been reporting steady growth in business year-on-year as well as having a good dividend payout for its shareholders. The company’s current dividend yield stands at 8.2% as of 27 January 2022.

Imperial Brands Plc’s current market cap stands at £16,500 million as of 28 January 2022. Its 5-year average dividend yield stands at 8.7per cent.

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32. SSE Plc (LON: SSE)

The company generates and distributes electricity to more than four million households in the UK. It generates electricity from coal, gas, and water.  The company is currently focusing on energy transition and has announced Net Zero Acceleration Programme.

As part of the plan, the company would invest £12.5 billion over the next five years to increase its renewable energy portfolio.

SSE Plc’s current market cap stands at £16,419 million as of 28 January 2022. Its 5-year average dividend yield stands at 6.7 per cent.

33. Aviva Plc (LON: AV.)

The insurance service provider offers retirement and savings products in the UK and other European countries. The company has been restructuring its business operations by selling and exiting markets where its business has not shown significant growth.

In the last one year, it completely exited Poland, France, and Italy markets to focus on other key markets where it has a leadership position.

Aviva Plc’s current market cap stands at £16,332 million as of 28 January 2022. Its 5-year average dividend yield stands at 5.3 per cent.

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34. Standard Chartered Plc (LON: STAN)

The multinational financial institution provides banking solutions to its clients from various countries. The company’s business reported a revival in business performance amid economic recovery.

The underlying operating income was at £11,383 million during the first nine months of 2021, mainly due to higher revenue from wealth management and investment business.

Standard Chartered Plc’s current market cap stands at £16,134 million as of 28 January 2022. Its 5-year average dividend yield stands at 1.4 per cent.

35. Associated British Foods Plc (LON: ABF)

The diversified food and ingredients company operates through five key business segments: grocery, ingredients, agriculture, sugar, and clothing retail chain under Primark’s brand name.

The company reported a positive business environment in the 16 weeks ended 2 January 2021. Overall, the group revenue was up by 19% at £5,569 million on a constant currency basis during the period.

Associated British Foods Plc’s current market cap stands at £15,849 million as of 28 January 2022. Its 5-year average dividend yield stands at 1.4 per cent.

36. SEGRO Plc (LON: SGRO)

The company operates as a real estate investment trust (REITs). It manages close to 8.1 million sq meters of warehouse and industrial space in the UK and seven other European countries.

It recently bought a portfolio of office space on Bath Road, Slough, for £425 million. The new office portfolio consists of 39 acres of land with a passing rent of £20 million.

SEGRO Plc’s current market cap stands at £15,457 million as of 28 January 2022. Its 5-year average dividend yield stands at 2.5 per cent.

37. Antofagasta Plc (LON: ANTO)

The metal and mining sector company is engaged in copper mining which is used across multiple industries.

The company achieved its full-year copper production target amid higher demand for metals from various industry groups. The consistent rise in copper prices in the international market has been beneficial for the company’s revenue and profitability.

Antofagasta Plc’s current market cap stands at £13,915 million as of 28 January 2022. Its 5-year average dividend yield stands at 2.9 per cent.

38. WPP Plc (LON: WPP)

The company operates media agencies that provide marketing and branding solutions and the production of advertisements to its clients across various countries.

The company recently acquired a majority stake in Made Thought, a branding and design agency. The acquisition is part of the company’s strategy to strengthen its core creative capabilities through a merger & acquisition approach.

WPP Plc’s current market cap stands at £13,288 million as of 28 January 2022. Its 5-year average dividend yield stands at 4.3 per cent.

39. 3i Group Plc (LON: III)

The private equity company focuses on investing in growth and mature stage companies. It also provides infrastructure financing.

The company completed £310 million of investment in the quarter ended 31 December 2021. It reported an increase in NAV to 1,235p per share and good performance across its investment portfolio, delivering a total return of 32.6% in nine months to 31 December 2021.

3i Group Plc’s current market cap stands at £12,856 million as of 28 January 2022. Its 5-year average dividend yield stands at 3.2 per cent.

40. Ocado Group Plc (LON: OCDO)

The grocery retail company operates through three key segments, Ocado retail, UK logistics solutions, and international solutions.

The company recently unveiled a new innovative proprietary platform called Ocado Smart Platform (OSP), which will be game-changing for the company’s partners. The new technology platform will enable short lead-time deliveries and provide a full range of consumer services at lower operating costs.

Ocado Group Plc’s current market cap stands at £11,336 million as of 28 January 2022.

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41. Smith & Nephew Plc (LON: SN.)

The UK-based company manufactures and sells medical devices worldwide.

The company recently acquired the US-based Engage Surgical for total consideration of USD 135 million contingent on sales performance. The new acquisition will help strengthen the company’s existing business. Engage Surgical owns cementless partial knee system technology.

Smith & Nephew Plc’s current market cap stands at £10,979 million as of 28 January 2022. Its 5-year average dividend yield stands at 1.9 per cent.

42. Croda International Plc (LON: CRDA)

The speciality chemicals company operates through four key segments in Europe and North America market.

The company recently sold its Performance Technologies and Industrial Chemicals (PTIC) business to Cargill Inc for an enterprise value of €915m. The disinvestment of PTIC business will help the company focus on its life sciences and consumer care business which contributes 90% of its total operating profits.

Croda International Plc’s current market cap stands at £10,924 million as of 28 January 2022. Its 5-year average dividend yield stands at 1.7 per cent.

43. Smurfit Kappa Group Plc (LON: SKG)

The Ireland-based company manufactures and distributes paper-based packaging products. It has primary operations in Europe and the American market, serving more than 65,000 clients.

For the nine months to 30 September 2021, the company reported a 15% growth in revenue to €7,287 million, with EBITDA margins of 17%.

Smurfit Kappa Group Plc’s current market cap stands at £9,920 million as of 28 January 2022.

44. Next Plc (LON: NXT)

The company is engaged in retailing clothes, footwear, and accessories in the UK and Europe. It operates a chain of retail stores and an online retail platform. The company’s business witnessed solid growth after an ease in lockdown restrictions and reopening of its retail stores mainly due to pent-up demand from consumers. Its full-price sales increased by 20% in the eight weeks to 25 December 2021.  

Next Plc’s current market cap stands at £9,888 million as of 28 January 2022. Its 5-year average dividend yield stands at 2.2 per cent.

45. Rolls-Royce Holdings Plc (LON: RR.)

The industrial technology company has key operations in the aerospace and defence segment. The company completed sales of its Bergen Engines business to Langley Holdings plc for an enterprise value of €63 million. The business sales are part of its strategy to dispose of its non-core businesses and rebuild its balance sheet for a better investment-grade credit profile.

Rolls-Royce Holdings Plc’s current market cap stands at £9,846 million as of 28 January 2022.

46. Rentokil Initial Plc (LON: RTO)

The pest control service provider has operations in over 80 countries. The company recently announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the US-based Terminix Global Holdings, Inc.

Combining both the businesses will create a global leader in the pest control and hygiene segment.

Rentokil Initial Plc’s current market cap stands at £9,497 million as of 28 January 2022. Its 5-year average dividend yield stands at 1.0 per cent.

47. Spirax-Sarco Engineering Plc (LON: SPX)

The company provides engineering solutions to its clients from the various industrial group.

The company announced a £13.3 million acquisition of Cotopaxi Limited, a global energy consulting and optimisation specialist. The new acquisition will help the company to provide-digitally enabled customer solutions to its clients.

Spirax-Sarco Engineering Plc’s current market cap stands at £9,492 million as of 28 January 2022. Its 5-year average dividend yield stands at 1.2 per cent.

48. JD Sports Fashion Plc (LON: JD.)

The sports fashion wear company has retail outlets in the UK and the US markets. The company reported higher sales during the Black Friday and Christmas period. It’s like-for-like sales were up by over 10% during the 22 weeks to 1 January 2022.

JD Sports Fashion Plc’s current market cap stands at £9,490 million as of 28 January 2022. Its 5-year average dividend yield stands at 0.3 per cent.

49. Admiral Group Plc (LON: ADM)

The insurance sector company specialise in car insurance products. It has operations in the UK and other European countries.

In the first half of 2021, the company reported a 9% rise in group turnover at £1.75 billion, mainly due to a rise in the number of new customers, which rose by 12% to 8.02 million during the period.

Admiral Group Plc’s current market cap stands at £9,435 million as of 28 January 2022. Its 5-year average dividend yield stands at 3.9 per cent.

50. Bunzl Plc (LON:BNZL)

The company offers different packaging services to industrial clients. In December 2021, the company completed the acquisition of the US-based Tingley Rubber Corporation, which focuses on protective footwear and apparel.

The company completed 14 acquisitions in 2021 to strengthen its business for future business growth.

Bunzl Plc’s current market cap stands at £9,291 million as of 28 January 2022. Its 5-year average dividend yield stands at 2.0 per cent.