I’d back these FTSE stocks will deliver double-digit growth in 2026

The FTSE 100 has reached all-time highs above 10,000, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t once-in-a-decade bargains to pick up as we move into 2026.

| More on:
Portrait of elderly man wearing white denim shirt and glasses looking up with hand on chin. Thoughtful senior entrepreneur, studio shot against grey background.

Image source: Getty Images

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 may not look obviously cheap at first glance, but dig beneath the surface — and to other areas of the UK market — and there are still pockets of real value.

A handful of stocks appear mis-priced relative to their earnings recovery and medium-term growth outlooks. And these are simply the stocks I know best.

Let’s explore.

Marks and Spencer

Marks and Spencer (LSE:MKS) has started 2026 positively after strong Christmas trading, yet the share price remains well below its 2025 highs. The reason is a cyberattack in April, which severely disrupted operations and forced analysts to downgrade earnings expectations for FY2026.

At one stage, consensus EPS forecasts stood near 31p. Today, they sit closer to 23.2p. But with the financial year drawing to a close, attention is shifting to recovery. Forecast earnings per share for FY2027 are 34.1p, putting the shares on just 10 times forward earnings.

To me that looks very cheap relative to its peers. It’s trading, adjusted for net debt, around 25% cheaper than its grocery peers. While net debt of £2.5bn may appear large in isolation, it is modest relative to the group’s market capitalisation and cash-generation potential.

Risks remain, of course. It’s a premium brand — at least perception says so — and if consumer spending weakens again, Marks could lose out to cheaper peers.

However, no investment is risk-free. Brokers are bullish too, with the average share price target 25% above the current position.

TBC Bank

TBC Bank (LSE:TBCG) is another share that stands out. This FTSE 250 stock trades at just 4.9 times forward earnings. But analysts expect revenue growth of around 17% and earnings growth of 11% across the next two years, placing it among the fastest-growing stocks in the FTSE All-Share.

The bank experienced a pullback in 2025 as regulatory changes engendered a operational shift, but this appears transitional rather than structural.

Operating across two of Eurasia’s faster-growing economies, TBC benefits from strong net interest margins and expanding digital reach. All four analysts covering the stock rate it’s a Strong Buy, and it also offers a dividend yield of roughly 6%.

Risks? Well, geopolitics is worth considering given ongoing unrest in Iran, which could have knock-on effects across the broader Caucasus and Caspian region.

However, I’m still very bullish on this company.

Melrose Industries

Finally, Melrose Industries (LSE:MRO) offers a compelling growth-at-a-reasonable-price opportunity. The group operates within aerospace and defence, with around 70% of sales coming from sole-source positions. That gives it huge pricing power.

The shares trade on about 16 times forward earnings, but earnings are forecast to grow by more than 20% per year through to 2029. That implies a price-to-earnings-to-growth (PEG) ratio comfortably below one.

Execution risk remains, particularly around supply chains. However, compared with peers like Rolls-Royce, Melrose looks significantly undervalued on a growth-adjusted basis.

The bottom line

Individually, each stock carries risk. However, coupled with other favourites of mine Jet2 and Arbuthnot, I believe these five stocks could deliver double-digit growth this year. That’s why I believe they’re all worth considering.

James Fox has positions in Arbuthnot Banking Group Plc, Jet2 Plc, Marks and Spencer Group, Melrose Industries Plc, and Rolls-Royce Plc. The Motley Fool UK has recommended Jet2 Plc, Melrose Industries Plc, and Rolls-Royce Plc. 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

Concept of two young professional men looking at a screen in a technological data centre
Investing Articles

Meet the S&P 500 stock that Michael Burry says could crash 50% (or more) 

The investor depicted in The Big Short film reckons this amazing artificial intelligence (AI) stock from the S&P 500 is…

Read more »

Investing Articles

Are high-flying British American Tobacco (BATS) shares still good value on upbeat 2025 results?

British American (BATS) shares have barely moved despite talk of "full-year delivery at the top end of our guidance" in…

Read more »

Engineer Project Manager Talks With Scientist working on Computer
Investing Articles

Is RELX stock a bargain in the FTSE 100 after a 50% fall?

FTSE 100 data company RELX has seen its share price halve over the last six months on the back of…

Read more »

Lady taking a bottle of Hellmann's Real Mayonnaise from a supermarket shelf
Investing Articles

What next for Unilever shares after positive 2025 results?

Unilever shares are a popular pick with today's Stocks and Shares ISA investors who are looking for decades-long profit potential.

Read more »

UK financial background: share prices and stock graph overlaid on an image of the Union Jack
Investing For Beginners

Is the party over for the Aviva share price?

Jon Smith reviews the Aviva share price and ponders if one of the top UK insurance firms has peaked, or…

Read more »

Mindful young woman breathing out with closed eyes, calming down in stressful situation, working on computer in modern kitchen.
Investing Articles

A ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ chance to buy 1 of my favourite growth stocks? 

AI might be weighing on growth stocks in the tech sector. But one of Stephen Wright’s top growth stocks is…

Read more »

Investing Articles

Can these 2 FTSE 100 stocks grow 50% (or more) in 2026?

Ken Hall unpacks two big-name FTSE 100 stocks that could climb higher in 2026 if management can deliver on its…

Read more »

Businessman hand stacking up arrow on wooden block cubes
Investing Articles

£5,000 invested in Rightmove shares 6 months ago is now worth…

It's been a wild six months for Rightmove shares. How much would an example stake have made or lost? And…

Read more »