3 FTSE 100 Shares Hitting New Highs: Aviva plc, Persimmon plc and Johnson Matthey PLC

Aviva plc (LON: AV), Persimmon plc (LON: PSN) and Johnson Matthey PLC (LON: JMAT) are soaring.

| 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.

If the FTSE 100 (FTSEINDICES: ^FTSE) is to regain the 13-year high of 6,876 set in May, it doesn’t look like it’s going to be this week. The index of top UK shares is down 23 points as I write today, to 6,732, but it is at least one point up on the week so far. And we are only 144 points short of that record, so maybe we’ll see a boost from the next meetings of the Bank of England and the European Central Bank.

In the meantime, some individual members of the index are setting new records of their own. Here are three:

Aviva

With the resurgence of the insurance sector, Aviva (LSE: AV) (NYSE: AV.US) shares have had a very strong run since slumping to under 300p in April 2013, and they’ve climbed to a 52-week high today of 458p — that’s a 20% rise over 12 months, despite that early dip.

The firm’s earnings slide during the recession is set to reverse for the year to December 2013, with a decent EPS of 43p per share forecast, and we have rises predicted for the next two years.

Even after such a good year, the shares are still on a P/E of only 10.5, dropping to under 10 for 2014 forecasts. After the recent rebasing, dividends are expected to yield around 3.5%.

Persimmon

Persimmon (LSE: PSN) continues its surge, with its share price touching on a new high of 1,343p today, before dropping back a little to 1,299 by mid-afternoon. The price is now up approximately 55% over the past 12 months and around 170% over two years.

An update today told us of a “strong finish to the year“, with 16% more house sales than last year for a total of 11,528. The second half saw a 30% rise over the first half, so things are really starting to look good.

Johnson Matthey

Johnson Matthey (LSE: JMAT) is our third for today, with a climb of more than 40% over the past 12 months to a closing high of 3,313p yesterday — today the price is back a little from that at 3,310p.

Johnson Matthey has three solid years of EPS rises forecast, with 10% expected for the year to March 2014 and rising a little for the subsequent two years. But the shares are on a relatively high P/E rating of 20 based on the current year’s forecasts, and it drops only as far as 16 on 2016 predictions. Dividends are fairly low, with a yield of 2% forecast.

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.

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

More on Investing Articles

Investing For Beginners

Why I’d need to be crazy to buy these 2 UK stocks right now

Jon Smith talks through two UK stocks that have fallen heavily in price over the past year but don't represent…

Read more »

Investing Articles

3 steps to try and turn a £9,000 ISA into a £5,654 second income

By investing £9,000 in carefully chosen blue-chip income shares, our writer believes he could generate a long-term second income well…

Read more »

Young woman working at modern office. Technical price graph and indicator, red and green candlestick chart and stock trading computer screen background.
Investing Articles

Does the ITV share price make any sense?

Down 40% in five years, the ITV share price started 2024 well but has been losing steam. This writer weighs…

Read more »

Investing Articles

After crashing 35% in a day could this FTSE stock rebound like the Rolls-Royce share price?

Harvey Jones is wondering whether this plunging FTSE 100 stock can do what the Rolls-Royce share price did, and fly…

Read more »

Man writing 'now' having crossed out 'later', 'tomorrow' and 'next week'
Investing Articles

Will the Next share price be affected by 2 insiders selling?

With two of the retailer’s directors offloading £31.8m of shares, our writer considers what might happen to the Next share…

Read more »

US Stock

Should I buy Tesla stock for my ISA after the 10/10 robotaxi event?

Elon Musk just revealed a robo-taxi that could be on the road in the not-too-distant future. Should Edward Sheldon buy…

Read more »

Investing Articles

What’s going on with the Sainsbury share price?

The Sainsbury share price is falling as the Qatar Investment Authority offloads 109m shares at a discount. But should investors…

Read more »

Investing Articles

Down over 50%! Is this iconic share the best recovery play in the FTSE 100?

Our writer has added a struggling FTSE 100 company with a well-known brand to his share portfolio this year. Here's…

Read more »