Highlights
- Lloyds Bank is planning to enter the build to rent sector ad plans to buy 50,000 homes by 2030, according to a Financial report.
- BP is currently doing its share repurchase program in order to reduce its cashflow surplus.
The UK markets rebounded as mass vaccination rate and easing restrictions bolstered economic activity. Moreover, since the lifting of the Bank of England’s dividend restrictions, companies have also increasingly resumed dividend payouts this earnings season.
Two constituents of the blue-chip index, the FTSE 100 index, Lloyds Banking Group PLC (LON: LLOY) and BP PLC (LON: BP), are among the trusted stocks for the long term and also pay a regular dividends:
- Lloyds Banking Group PLC (LON: LLOY)
British banking major Lloyds Banking Group plans to buy 50,000 homes by 2030 and become one of the largest landlords in the UK by entering the build to rent sector, according to a Financial Times report.
The strategic move comes as the banking sector looks towards diversifying into newer areas amid low interest rates. The company was the highest volume leader In the FTSE 100 index in today’s trading session.
The banking group has also had some recent senior management changes. Former Barclays banker, Miray Müminoğlu, will be taking over as the new head of its debt capital markets was announced on Monday, while Charlie Nunn's joined at the new Group CEO and Executive Director last week.
(Image Source: Refinitiv)
Lloyds’ shares were trading at GBX 43.17, down by 1.80 per cent on 24 August at 14:07 PM GMT+1. Meanwhile, the FTSE 100 index, which it is a part of, was trading at 7,081.09, down by 0.39 per cent.
The company’s market cap was at £ 31,198.62 million, and its one-year return is at 53.81 per cent as of 24 August.
- BP PLC (LON: BP)
Oil and gas giant BP recently announced strong Q2 2021 results, reporting an increased dividend of 5.46 cents per share, up from 5.25 cents per share in Q2 2020.
It also announced the commencement of its share buyback program of up to US$ 1.4 billion to reduce its surplus cash flow.
(Image Source: Refinitiv)
BP’s shares were trading at GBX 299.50, up by 1.53 per cent on 24 August at 14:41 PM GMT+1. Meanwhile, the fossil fuel sectoral index, which it is a part of was trading at 5,098.84, up by 0.73 per cent.
The company’s market cap was at £59,442.36 million, and its one-year return is at 9.50 per cent as of 24 August.
Related Article: Shares of BP Propelled FTSE 100 Higher; BoE Meeting in Focus
Bottom Line
FTSE 100 stocks are generally considered safer investments since they consist of mature companies. Moreover, BP’s recent high dividend payout and strong performance can also be attractive for income investors if it fits their investment portfolio strategy.