Investors hate these 2 FTSE income stocks! Is this an opportunity?

Harvey Jones takes a look at 2 FTSE 100 income stocks that investors are snubbing right now to see whether there’s a big recovery opportunity.

| 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.

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.

DIVIDEND YIELD text written on a notebook with chart

Image source: Getty Images

Income stocks have a place in my heart. I love the steady drip of dividends into my Self-Invested Personal Pension. A bit of share price growth doesn’t hurt either. Here are two FTSE 100 dividend shares that have fallen out of favour lately. They have pretty decent yields, but can they start to grow as well?

Kingfisher struggles to fly

Shares in B&Q owner Kingfisher (LSE: KGF) have struggled for years. They’re up just 3% over the past year and 5% across five.

That compares with increases of 10% and 50% across the FTSE 100 over the same time periods, so that’s a sizeable underperformance. None of these figures include dividends.

The cost-of-living crisis continues to take its toll on the DIY retailier. It hasn’t just squeezed consumers, but driven up the cost of labour and materials. Lingering post-Covid supply-chain snarl-ups haven’t helped.

While Kingfisher’s UK arm has shown some resilience, its French and Polish operations are still feeling the strain.

In the group’s Q1 update, published 28 May, the board reaffirmed full-year guidance for adjusted pre-tax profit of £480m to £540m. That holds out the prospect of a big drop on last year’s £528m. Any other performance would lift the share price though.

Unsurprisingly given its troubles, the shares look modestly valued on a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.3. The dividend yield has edged up to 4.5%, which sits ahead of the index average. 

But I’m not convinced and neither are analysts. Only two out of 15 think Kingfisher is a Buy. Eight say Hold and five advise selling. 

There may be hope yet if wider economic challenges ease, but I don’t see a compelling reason to consider buying Kingfisher today.

GSK struggles on

Pharmaceuticals giant GSK (LSE: GSK) is a stock I hold myself but being honest, I wish I didn’t. The shares have declined 10% over one year and 12% over five. 

The yield has crept to around 4.5% but that’s down to the falling share price rather than generosity from the board.

The dividend was frozen at 80p per share way back in 2014 and stayed there until 2021, only to be cut to 57.75p in 2022. It crept up to 61p in 2024, but it’s still a poor showing.

CEO Emma Walmsley is battling to replenish the drugs pipeline while fending off the usual pharma sector threats such as US class action litigation and blockbuster drugs coming off patent. She’s had to do it while watching FTSE 100 rival AstraZeneca growing at speed. 

Throw in Donald Trump’s war on big pharma, and the path ahead is unclear. On a P/E of 8.75, GSK looks cheap. Yet despite the yield and valuation, I wouldn’t say investors should consider buying it today.

Solid income, growth concerns

Both names offer generous payouts, which may look even more attractive as interest rates are cut. Kingfisher shows clearer potential if conditions improve, but it needs the economic backdrop to change. GSK is cheap but is under a political shadow.

At the moment, neither feels worthy of being snapped up. But when clarity returns, both could jump back into favour. Investors hate these stocks today, and I’m not too keen either. I’ll keep an eye on them, but I can see far more exciting opportunities across the FTSE 100 today.

Harvey Jones has positions in GSK. The Motley Fool UK has recommended GSK. 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.

More on Investing Articles

Stack of one pound coins falling over
Investing Articles

Want to turn your ISA into a passive income machine? These 3 steps help

Christopher Ruane looks at a trio of factors he reckons could help an investor as they aim to earn passive…

Read more »

Investing For Beginners

2 FTSE shares that have been oversold in this stock market correction

Jon Smith reviews the recent market slump and points out a couple of FTSE shares he believes have been oversold…

Read more »

Warren Buffett at a Berkshire Hathaway AGM
Investing Articles

As the stock market moves down, I’m taking the Warren Buffett approach!

Rather than getting nervous as markets move around, our writer is looking to the career of Warren Buffett to see…

Read more »

Fans of Warren Buffett taking his photo
Investing Articles

Here’s how a stock market crash could be brilliant news for your retirement!

This writer isn't peering into a crystal ball trying to time the next stock market crash. Instead, he's making an…

Read more »

Burst your bubble thumbtack and balloon background
Investing Articles

Down 93%, should I load up on this penny stock while it’s under 1p?

The small-cap company behind this penny stock is eyeing up a substantial global market opportunity. So why did it crash…

Read more »

Portrait of pensive bearded senior looking on screen of laptop sitting at table with coffee cup.
Investing Articles

Is Fundsmith Equity still worth holding in a Stocks and Shares ISA or SIPP in 2026?

The performance of the Fundsmith Equity fund has been shocking over the last two years. Is it still smart to…

Read more »

Young female hand showing five fingers.
Investing Articles

5 smart moves to make before the 2025/2026 ISA deadline

Taking advantage of the annual allowance isn’t the only smart move to make before the upcoming ISA deadline, says Edward…

Read more »

Businesswoman calculating finances in an office
Investing Articles

Here’s the dividend forecast for Lloyds shares through to 2028

Can dividend forecasts tell investors much about the outlook for banking shares? Stephen Wright sets out what investors really need…

Read more »