3 FTSE 100 Shares Trading Near 52-Week Highs: BT Group plc, NEXT plc And Kingfisher plc

Despite the market setback, shares in BT Group plc (LON:BT.A), NEXT plc (LON:NXT) and Kingfisher plc (LON:KGF) are all trading within 5% of a high for the year.

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BT

Shares in telecoms giant BT (LSE: BT-A) (NYSE: BT.US) are up 46% in the last 12 months. This revival has taken the shares close to a 10-year high.

Last month, BT reported a strong set of numbers for the year ending March 2013. Although revenues were down 2%, adjusted profit before tax rose 21%. The consensus earnings per share (EPS) forecast for the full year is 25.8p. That puts the shares on a 2014 price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 12. More growth is expected next year, bringing the P/E down to 11 times forecast earnings.

The recent share price rise has pushed BT shares beyond their usual ‘high yield’ status. The expected payout for the year equates to a yield of 3.5%, similar to the average FTSE 100 share.

NEXT

NEXT (LSE: NXT) continues to knock spots off its high-street competition. The market’s regard for the company is manifested in its share price. So far this year, shares in NEXT are up 23%. In the last month, as the market has corrected, NEXT has outperformed the index by 6%.

A trading statement issued in May has helped underpin confidence further. Although the cold weather knocked shop sales down 2%, online and Directory sales were 9% ahead on last year.

The company is forecast to grow EPS and dividends this year and next. That puts the shares on a prospective P/E for this year of 14.4, with a 2.5% dividend. That’s a small premium to pay for such a clear winner.

Kingfisher

Kingfisher (LSE: KGF) is the retail group behind B&Q and Screwfix. The shares have had a good run in 2013 and are up 21%. Like NEXT, Kingfisher has also avoided the market correction of the past month. The shares are a smidgen (1%) ahead.

If the EPS forecast of 23.5p is met, that would be the second successive year that the company has reported falling earnings. On the other hand, a fifth successive dividend rise is forecast, pushing the yield on the shares to 2.9%. The forward P/E of 14.5 appears generous.

That said, the group is reporting impressive growth in China and Russia. Screwfix also continues to deliver double-digit growth.

If you are looking for shares that can continue to win in the long-term, then check out the analysis in The Motley Fool’s latest report “5 Shares To Retire On”. This research report is 100% free. To get your copy click here and start reading today.

> David does not own shares in any of the companies mentioned.

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.

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