A FTSE 100 share that offers growth, dividends AND value!

Looking for the FTSE 100’s greatest ‘all-rounders’? Royston Wild reveals what he thinks is one of the index’s best shares to consider today.

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Aviva‘s (LSE:AV.) a FTSE 100 share I opened a position in almost a year ago. I’ve topped up my holdings since then. And I plan to increase my stake again when I next have cash to invest.

I believe the financial services giant looks highly attractive in terms of growth and dividends. And its shares also look dirt cheap across a variety of measures too.

Here’s why I think the company’s a top blue-chip to consider right now.

Should you invest £1,000 in Diageo right now?

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Growth

Earnings growth’s been patchy at Aviva in recent years. Its bottom line dropped during the Covid-19 crisis, and then again in 2022 due to rising interest rates.

But the company moved back into growth in 2023. And City analysts expect profits to keep rising over the next three years at least, and by healthy double-digit percentages:

YearEarnings per shareEarnings growth
202443.98p17%
202550.87p16%
202655.83p10%

These bright forecasts reflect analyst expectations of falling interest rates and improving economic conditions. Combined, these could stimulate consumer spending and boost the performance of Aviva’s asset management division.

Profits will also benefit from ongoing demographic changes in its European and North American markets. More older people means higher demand for retirement, protection and wealth products.

Dividends

Like earnings, Aviva’s dividend record has been up and down since 2019.

However, with earnings tipped to shoot higher — and the company’s balance sheet significantly strengthened under current CEO Amanda Blanc — shareholder payouts, which have risen steadily since the end of the pandemic, are tipped to follow suit:

YearDividend per shareDividend growth
202435.43p6%
202538.13p8%
202640.88p7%

Dividends are never guaranteed. But Aviva’s cash-rich balance sheet puts it in great shape to meet these forecasts.

Its Solvency II shareholder coverage ratio was 205% as of June, more than twice the level that regulators require.

Value

Based on current earnings forecasts, Aviva shares trade on price-to-earnings growth (PEG) ratios of 0.6 for 2024 and 2025, and 0.9 for 2026. Any reading below 1 indicates that a share is undervalued.

The Footsie company also offers excellent value based on expected earnings. Dividend yields are a huge 7.4% for this year, 8% for 2025 and 8.6% for 2026.

By comparison, the average dividend yield for FTSE 100 shares sits way back at 3.7%.

A top buy

As with any UK share, Aviva exposes its investors to a degree of risk. Profits and dividends could disappoint if, for example, interest rates fail to decline steadily, dampening product sales. It also faces intense competition from the likes of Legal & General, Zurich and AXA.

But on balance, I believe the potential benefits of owning Aviva shares outweigh these risks. And its low valuation provides a cushion in case newsflow worsens which, in turn, could limit any share price reversals.

On balance, I think Aviva’s one of the best ‘all-rounders’ on the FTSE 100 today.

But there are other promising opportunities in the stock market right now. In fact, here are:

5 stocks for trying to build wealth after 50

The cost of living crisis shows no signs of slowing… the conflict in the Middle East and Ukraine shows no sign of resolution, while the global economy could be teetering on the brink of recession.

Whether you’re a newbie investor or a seasoned pro, deciding which stocks to add to your shopping list can be a daunting prospect during such unprecedented times. Yet despite the stock market’s recent gains, we think many shares still trade at a discount to their true value.

Fortunately, The Motley Fool UK analyst team have short-listed five companies that they believe STILL boast significant long-term growth prospects despite the global upheaval…

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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.

Royston Wild has positions in Aviva Plc and Legal & General Group Plc. The Motley Fool UK has no position in any of the shares mentioned. Views expressed on the companies mentioned in this article are those of the writer and therefore may differ from the official recommendations we make in our subscription services such as Share Advisor, Hidden Winners and Pro. Here at The Motley Fool we believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.

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