3 FTSE Shares Hitting New Highs: Lloyds Banking Group PLC, ITV plc And Sports Direct International Plc

Lloyds Banking Group PLC (LON: LLOY), ITV plc (LON: ITV) and Sports Direct International Plc (LON: SPD) reach for the stars.

| More on:

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.

When investing, your capital is at risk. The value of your investments can go down as well as up and you may get back less than you put in.

Read More

The content of this article is provided for information purposes only and is not intended to be, nor does it constitute, any form of personal advice. Investments in a currency other than sterling are exposed to currency exchange risk. Currency exchange rates are constantly changing, which may affect the value of the investment in sterling terms. You could lose money in sterling even if the stock price rises in the currency of origin. Stocks listed on overseas exchanges may be subject to additional dealing and exchange rate charges, and may have other tax implications, and may not provide the same, or any, regulatory protection as in the UK.

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.

The FTSE 100 (FTSEINDICES: ^FTSE) has been creeping back up over the past few days, gaining a further 18 points to reach 6,183 approaching midday today. Though the index of top UK shares doesn’t look in any danger of sliding back to the levels of its 52-week low of 5,437 from a year ago, there’s still a long way to go to regain the 13-year record of 6,876 points set on 22 May.

But some of our top companies are getting close to new records once more. Here are three regaining their high ground today:

Lloyds

Shares in Lloyds Banking Group (LSE: LLOY) (NYSE: LYG.US) hit a 52-week high of 63.7p in May when the FTSE 100 was soaring, only to slip back a bit as the index went into reverse. But now the panic is receding, Lloyds is on the up again with the shares reaching 62.9p this morning, less than a penny short of the record — and at those levels, shareholders have doubled their money over the past 12 months.

The City is forecasting a return to profit this year for the bailed-out bank, with its shares on a forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 14. But that should drop significantly next year if the expected earnings growth comes to pass — and 2014 should see a return to meaningful dividends, with a yield of 2.4% predicted.

ITV

Television broadcaster ITV (LSE: ITV) is another whose share price fell back from record levels in the recent mini-panic, and once again it is back up pushing against its highs. ITV’s highest price of 139.5p per share came on 19 June, and so far today it has come within a shade of that at 139.3p. And we’re looking at another terrific share price performance, with ITV shares up more than 80% over the past year.

The company has had a few decent years, and its shares now seem to be trading on a middling valuation — with a P/E of just under 14 based on forecasts for December, and a modest dividend yield of 2.4% expected.

Sports Direct

Our third for today, Sports Direct International (LSE: SPD), is another high-flyer, with its shares up more than 75% over 12 months. And we’re seeing the same pattern again — this time a 52-week high of 544p a week ago followed by a minor fall, with the price pushing back up to 542p today in a new assault on the record.

Results for the year to April 2013 aren’t with us yet — they’re due on 18 July — but analysts are exppecting at 35% rise in earnings per share, suggesting a P/E of over 20. That might look a little high, but we do have two more years of earnings growth forecast, and we should be seeing the start of a dividend recovery.

Finally, if you’re looking for high-performing top-drawer shares that should take you all the way to a comfortable retirement, I recommend the Fool’s special new report detailing five blue-chip shares. They’ll be familiar names to many, and they’ve already provided investors with decades of profits.

But the report will only be available for a limited period, so click here to get your hands on these great ideas — they could set you on the road to long-term riches.

> Alan does not own any shares mentioned in this article.

Should you invest, the value of your investment may rise or fall and your capital is at risk. Before investing, your individual circumstances should be assessed. Consider taking independent financial advice.

More on Investing Articles

Petrochemical engineer working at night with digital tablet inside oil and gas refinery plant
Investing Articles

Can the Centrica dividend keep on growing?

Christopher Ruane considers some positive factors that might see continued growth in the Centrica dividend -- as well as some…

Read more »

Smiling family of four enjoying breakfast at sunrise while camping
Investing Articles

How I’d turn my £12,000 of savings into passive income of £1,275 a month

This Fool is considering a strategy that he believes can help him achieve a stable passive income stream with a…

Read more »

Person holding magnifying glass over important document, reading the small print
Investing Articles

2 top FTSE 250 investment trusts trading at attractive discounts!

This pair of discounted FTSE 250 trusts appear to be on sale right now. Here's why I'd scoop up their…

Read more »

Smiling young man sitting in cafe and checking messages, with his laptop in front of him.
Investing Articles

3 things that could push the Lloyds share price to 60p and beyond

The Lloyds share price has broken through 50p. Next step 60p? And then what? Here are some thoughts on what…

Read more »

Young female business analyst looking at a graph chart while working from home
Investing Articles

£1,000 in Rolls-Royce shares a year ago would be worth this much now

Rolls-Royce shares have posted one of the best stock market gains of the past 12 months. But what might the…

Read more »

Investing Articles

Are HSBC shares a FTSE bargain? Here’s what the charts say!

There are plenty of dirt-cheap FTSE 100 banking stocks for investors to choose from today. Our writer Royston Wild believes…

Read more »

Three signposts pointing in different directions, with 'Buy' 'Sell' and 'Hold' on
Investing Articles

Just released: Share Advisor’s latest ‘Hold’ recommendation [PREMIUM PICKS]

In our Share Advisor newsletter service, we provide buy, sell, and hold guidance for our universe of recommendations.

Read more »

Investing Articles

Investing £5 a day could help me build a second income of £329 a month!

This Fool explains how £5 a day, or one less takeaway coffee, could help her build a monthly second income…

Read more »