Highlights
- The blue-chip index has given steady performance in the last two years after the massive decline witnessed during the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.
- The index currently trades above the pre-pandemic levels and is at the highest levels since January 2020.
The UK benchmark index FTSE100, which constitutes the highest market capitalisation companies, surged past the 7,600 level for the first time in the last two years. The blue-chip index has given steady performance after the massive decline witnessed during the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The index currently trades above the pre-pandemic levels and is at the highest levels since January 2020. The total return given by the blue-chip index in the last one year is 17.09% as of 17 January 2022.
© 2022 Kalkine Media®
Let us look at FTSE 100 listed stocks that can add value to investor portfolio and their investment prospects:
Prudential Plc (LON: PRU)
The company operates as a diversified financial service provider. It offers life & health insurance, retirement & savings products as well as asset management solutions. It operates in Asia, Africa, and the US market. Last year, in October 2021, the company raised USD 2.4 billion through an oversubscribed share offer and listed its new shares on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. The new listing will enhance the investor base and increase liquidity in the company’s stock. The group has been focusing on emerging markets and expects future growth opportunities in large economies like China, India Thailand, and Indonesia.
Prudential Plc currently trades at GBX 1,289, down by 1.79% on 18 January 2022 at 10:30 am GMT+1, with a market cap of £36,046 million, servicesand the current dividend yield of the stock stands at 1%.
Entain Plc (LON: ENT)
Online gaming and sports betting service provider has operations in the UK and other countries. It provides its services through various well-known consumer-facing brands like Betboo, Sportingbet, and many others. The company’s business has been reporting a double-digit growth amid a rise in sports betting and online gaming demand in the last two years. It reported 23 consecutive quarters of revenue growth in the online gaming segment on a constant currency basis.
Entain Plc currently trades at GBX 1,699.50, down by 1.65% on 18 January 2022 at 10:30 am GMT+1, with a market cap of £10,135 million, and the current dividend yield of the stock stands at 2%.
Aviva Plc (LON: AV.)
The company provides retirement and savings products, insurance service to its customers in the UK and other countries. In 2021, the company carried out its planned disinvestment program and raised £7.5 billion. It completely exited some of its operating markets like France (£2.8 billion), Italy (£748 million), Poland (€2.5 billion) through disposals and sales of its business to other entities.
The planned disposal and disinvestment program will help the company to focus on its core operating markets.
Aviva Plc currently trades at GBX 438.30, down by 0.30% on 18 January 2022 at 10:30 am GMT+1, with a market cap of £16,553 million, and the current dividend yield of the stock stands at 5.5%.