Its origins are far from London. Founded in 1994 after post-Soviet privatisations, it began life as the Bank of Georgia. A London listing followed in 2012, opening the door to deeper capital markets and tighter regulatory oversight. It rebranded to Lion Finance in 2025 after acquiring Ameriabank in Armenia, as it pursues a broader regional footprint.

Its services are standard banking fare, from lending and payments to wealth management. The difference lies in geography and ambition.

Growth at a staggering pace

Like its larger peers, Lion has taken advantage of higher interest rates to widen net margins. All the big banking stocks have flown in recent years, but nothing like this. The Lion Finance share price has surged 887% over the last five years. Only one FTSE 100 name has beaten it in that time, high-flying aircraft engine maker Rolls-Royce, up 1,118% over five years. Over 12 months, Lion leads by a neck. It’s up 107%, against 84% for Rolls.

Rolls-Royce is expensive as a result, with a price-to-earnings ratio of 44. Lion still looks dirt-cheap with a P/E of just 8.1. That’s incredible, given the growth. It’s much smaller operation of course, with a market-cap of £4.8bn against £104bn for Rolls.

In February, Lion reported record 2025 net profit, up 20.9% to GEL2.2bn (£600m), driven by a strong showing in both Georgia and Armenia. The full-year return on equity hit 28.4%, which is roughly double the return of the major UK banks. Today’s market-cap is £4.8bn.

It’s an exciting opportunity. But as is so often the case, comes with greater potential volatility. Georgia’s recent history is somewhat turbulent. In 2024, mass protests erupted in Tbilisi amid fears of electoral vote rigging, and plans for EU accession are currently on hold. The country remains split between pro-EU and pro-Russian factions, a tension that continues to unsettle investors. Especially given events in Ukraine.

That’s the single biggest risk but there are others. Earnings come in local currencies, adding a layer of risk, and the business still leans heavily on two fledgling markets. The growth could keep rolling in if it expands into other eastern European countries, but expansion isn’t without risks either.

Dividend income and outlook

The big FTSE 100 banks are prized for their dividend income, but with a yield of 2.6%, Lion Finance is more of a growth play. That said, the 2024 dividend was increased by 12.5%, and the first-half 2025 payout was hiked by a thumping 50%.

Investors might consider buying Lion Finance for diversification and long-term growth potential. Don’t get carried away though. The shares may struggle to continue its breakneck pace. Politics, geography and currency all add uncertainty that we don’t get with UK-focused Lloyds or NatWest. It’s an exciting addition to the FTSE 100, but only for the lion-hearted.

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M&G (LSE:MNG), Alliance Witan (LSE:ALW) and Lion Finance (LSE:BGEO) are three that have caught my attention today. Want to know what I think makes them genuine bargains to consider rather than value traps? Read on.

8% dividend yield!

Recent share price weakness has propelled M&G’s dividend yield for this year back above 7%, to 7.7%. For 2027, the yield moves to 8%. This makes it one of the FTSE 100’s most irresistible dividend stocks and high on my watchlist for when I have cash to invest.

The firm’s fallen in value as the Iran war has worsened inflationary pressures. If the conflict persists, consumer spending on discretionary financial products could drop. However, I’d still consider buying M&G shares — the long-term outlook remains robust as ever, with demographic changes tipped to drive rapid market growth.

M&G’s leading sector position puts it in great shape to supercharge earnings in this landscape. In the meantime, I expect the firm to keep paying enormous dividends, supported by its cash-rich balance sheet.

Top trust

At £12.20 per share, Alliance Witan’s dividend yield has risen to 2.4%, the highest in about a year. That’s not groundbreaking — the average yield on FTSE 100 stocks sits higher than this at 3.2%.

However, it’s an added sweetener for an investment trust that’s already looking cheap. Today it trades at a 6.1% discount to its net asset value (NAV) per share.

Like other shares-based trusts, Alliance Witan’s dropped amid broader stock market volatility. It might do again. But longer term, I’m expecting it to keep delivering juicy rewards. The average annual return here has averaged 10% over the last five years.

This reflects the trust’s huge portfolio of quality stocks. With holdings in 227 global shares spanning industries and regions, it allows investors to effectively spread risk and capture a multitude of opportunities.

Growth and dividends

Lion Finance is one of the FTSE’s most exciting bank shares in my view. It only entered the blue-chip index in late March. Like HSBC, it harnesses the enormous growth potential of emerging markets.

In this case, the company (formerly known as Bank of Georgia) provides banking services to Georgians and Armenians. Profits have grown rapidly for years, as rapid economic growth has turbocharged boosted personal wealth levels. The bank’s underlying profits soared 28% year on year in 2025.

Can it keep delivering these sort of stunning numbers, though? An extended Middle East conflict could hit earnings if regional and global growth cools. However, I think this is more than reflected in Lion’s rock-bottom valuation.

The forward P/E ratio is 5.6 times. A 3.8% dividend yield provided a tasty bonus. I’m optimistic the bank will keep going from strength to strength.

The post Looking for FTSE 100 bargain stocks? Check these out! appeared first on The Motley Fool UK.

There could be more volatility to come as the Middle East war drags on. The impact of soaring oil prices on inflation and global growth could be considerable. Yet buying quality shares cheaply today could prove a masterstroke over the longer term.

So which FTSE 250 shares are on my watchlist right now? There are several top contenders I’m considering, and here are a couple of my favourites.

A top REIT

Care home operator Target Healthcare REIT (LSE:THRL) has slumped as hopes of interest rate cuts have faded. Higher rates translate to larger borrowing costs and greater pressure on asset values.

But is the FTSE 250 property stock now too cheap? I think so — it trades on a forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 10.7 times, while its dividend yield‘s an enormous 6%.

While there’s near-term pressure, the long-term picture is compelling as ever. As Britain’s elderly population rapidly grows, demand for assisted living facilities is tipped to skyrocket. Research suggests demand for care home beds could double over the next 25-30 years.

On balance, I think Target Healthcare’s a top defensive stock to consider for these uncertain times. It operates in a highly defensive industry, for one, where rent collection and occupancy issues rarely spring up.

And for dividend investors, I think it’s especially attractive as a safe haven. At least 90% of annual profits from its rental operations must be distributed to shareholders, irrespective of broader conditions.

Down 18% in 3 weeks!

Lion Finance (LSE:BGEO) was trading at record highs above £12 before the Middle East conflict. It’s since fallen almost a fifth in value, which makes it one of the FTSE 250’s hottest bargains in my view.

The share formerly known as Bank of Georgia trades on a forward P/E ratio of 5.9 times. Its price-to-earnings growth (PEG) multiple, too, has slipped to a jaw-droppingly low 0.2. For reference, a PEG below one is often considered to be in bargain territory.

Finally, Lion’s dividend yield for this year is now 3.5%, just above the index average and providing an added sweetener for value lovers.

So why is the Georgian bank slipping? After all, surely the prospect of higher interest rates is encouraging for retail banks’ margins?

The trouble is that higher interest rates could slow economic growth. And when combining slower growth with more expensive debt, businesses and consumers tend to borrow less, resulting in slower growth for Lion Finance’s loan book. And if things get really dire, existing borrowers could also start defaulting, leading to impairments.

While this risk is high, over the long term, the outlook for Georgia’s economy remains bright. GDP growth has averaged 6% over the last decade, as economic reforms in this key regional hub have paid off. With banking product penetration in the country still low, I expect Lion Finance’s profits (and share price) to keep soaring during the next decade.

The post After the FTSE 250’s slump, I see beautiful bargains everywhere! appeared first on The Motley Fool UK.

Dividends take the total return well north of 1,000% over this period!

Let’s take a closer look at this Footsie newbie to see whether it might be worth considering buying.

A rocket on the London Stock Exchange

The stock in question is Lion Finance Group (LSE:BGEO), formerly Bank of Georgia. It will enter the FTSE 100 in two weeks when the latest changes take place. Joining it will be online trading platform IG Group, while airline easyJet and Hikma Pharmaceuticals will drop out.

What has caused this incredible performance? Put simply, Lion Finance has benefitted from an incredibly strong Georgian economy.

Between 2021 and 2024, GDP growth averaged over 9% annually, driven by financial inflows, low inflation, higher consumption, an influx of skilled migrants fleeing the war in Ukraine, rising tourism, and the nation’s location as a trading/logistics hub between East and West.

The bank has taken full advantage of these fertile conditions, with earnings growing at a five-year compound annual rate of about 50%. Dividends and share buybacks have been plentiful, attracting more investors to the stock.

The acquisition of Ameriabank (the leading bank in neighbouring Armenia) in 2024 provided a second high-growth engine.

I sold too soon

Alas, I previously owned this stock but sold it in late 2024 when things kicked off in Georgia after the contested election result there. This saw mass public protests gather across the country amid accusations of vote-rigging. Things looked very dicey at the time.

With the nation’s ascension to the European Union on hold, and the government facing international scrutiny, I feared political unrest could lead to lower foreign direct investment and tourism. I personally put off visiting Tbilisi at the time.

However, while logical, my fears were ultimately misplaced. Last year, Georgia’s economy grew by 7.5%. And while that did mark a slowdown from previous years, Georgia remains one of the fastest-growing economies in Europe and the Caucasus, as does Armenia.

Lion Finance’s net profit in 2025 jumped 21% to GEL 2.2bn (roughly £600m), with an exceptional return on average equity of 28.4%. Retail digital monthly active users grew 15% in Georgia, reaching over 1.8m, up from just 355,000 in 2019.

Meanwhile, Ameriabank’s digital monthly active users surged by 45.3% to 336,000, with standalone profit growing 23.6%.  

Value on offer

Clearly, the bank has been firing on all cylinders in recent years. But is the stock worth considering as it enters the FTSE 100? I think it is, despite the aforementioned political risks, which could flare up at any point between the pro-Russia and EU-aligned political factions.

The forward price-to-earnings ratio is just six, which is well below the FTSE 100 average and other bank stocks. Pair this with a very well-covered 3.5% dividend yield, and I see a lot of value on offer here.

Note, the International Monetary Fund projects Georgian GDP growth of 5% over the medium term. Plus, Armenia offers a lot of long-term growth in digital banking. Today Ameriabank’s digital penetration is only around 11% of the overall population.

The post Meet the FTSE 100’s newest bank stock appeared first on The Motley Fool UK.

Shareholders have become used to this sort of stunning performance. The stock formerly known as Bank of Georgia has rocketed more than 1,000% in value during the last five years.

That’s a stunning result by any measure. But to put it into further context, Lloyds‘ share price has risen 165% over the period. Barclays and NatWest meanwhile have risen 191% and 206%, respectively.

The question is, could Lion Finance be the best banking share on London’s stock market?

Profits jump

It rocketed again today after releasing forecast-beating trading numbers for last year.

In 2025, the firm — which provides banking services in Georgia and Armenia — saw net interest income leaping 26% to GEL3bn. Robust economic growth in these emerging markets drove customer loans and deposits 20% and 17% higher, respectively.

As a consequence, underlying profits surged 28% year on year, to GEL2.2m. Lion said its bottom line was “driven by strong loan book expansion, customer franchise growth, and sustained profitability across all core business divisions.”

Share buybacks

Like all the FTSE 100‘s major banks, Lion Finance has strong financial foundations. And at the end of 2025 its Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) capital ratio was 17.6%.

This gives it enormous financial firepower to invest for growth. But that’s not all. It also provides scope for the bank to pay large and growing dividends and launch sizeable share buybacks.

Lion hiked the full-year dividend 16.7% for 2025, and today announced the repurchase of another GEL53.5m worth of shares, taking the total for last year to GEL203m.

This tallies up with the bank’s goal of returning 30% to 50% of annual profits to shareholders, and gave the share price an extra boost.

Is Lion Finance the best bank?

Opinions will differ as to whether this is the UK’s best banking stock and the idea of ‘the best’ is, of course, subjective. But I think a case can be made for it. I personally certainly prefer it to UK-focused banks like Lloyds. That’s due to its far superior growth prospects and therefore capacity for sustained share price outperformance.

That’s not to say there aren’t potential challenges here. Political difference in Georgia between pro-Russia and EU-aligned political forces creates policy uncertainty. And they’re unlikely to be resolved any time soon. The final outcome could have serious consequences for Georgia’s economy and by extension Lion’s profits.

But could this be baked into the current cheapness of the bank’s shares? I think so, with its price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 7.7 times far lower than any of these FTSE 100 banks.

On balance, I think it’s a top FTSE 250 share to consider right now. But it’s not the only top growth stock that’s grabbed my eye.

The post Up 7%, is this FTSE 250 stock the UK’s best banking share? appeared first on The Motley Fool UK.

But some UK mid-cap shares smashed the returns delivered by the broader index. Take Atalaya Mining (LSE:ATYM), Lion Finance (LSE:BGEO) and Applied Nutrition (LSE:APN). They delivered share price gains of 80% and beyond over the course of last year.

However, can they repeat the stunning returns of last year? Can they provide even greater gains? Let’s take a look.

Copper boom

A bumper year for copper prices helped Atalaya Mining shares rise 124% last year. The red metal struck new peaks above $12,000 a tonne towards the end of December, and further gains look likely as supply issues linger.

Looking longer term, I’m expecting metal values to keep rising as demand from the tech sector increases. The US’s decision to categorise copper as a ‘critical mineral’ underlines its growing importance.

Yet Atalaya’s recent success isn’t just down to a strong copper price. It’s also performed heroically in pulling the valuable metal out of the ground. Between January and September 2025, production from its Spanish projects rose 16%, while all-in sustaining costs (AISCs) dropped 13%, lighting a fire under profits.

The miner looks well set up for further gains in the New Year. Remember though that unexpected production setbacks could scupper any share price progress.

Another strong year

Lion Finance’s share price almost doubled in 2025, rising 95% over the year. Political uncertainty, which remains a threat in the country, hasn’t so far derailed its impressive profits story.

Low product penetration and rapid economic growth are supercharging earnings here. The stock — which until last year was known as Bank of Georgia — recorded loan book and deposit growth of 21.7% and 18% between January and September 2025.

Don’t think that Lion Finance has been sitting on its hands though. Significant investment in digital banking has helped it capitalise on the favourable trading environment, and it’s investing in other emerging markets like Armenia to drive future growth.

The World Bank expects Georgia’s economy to grow 5.5% in 2026. This suggests another strong year of profits growth for Lion Finance.

Stunning first year

Applied Nutrition’s share price exploded during its first full year on the London stock market. They leapt 82% in 2025, driven by the company’s habit of beating market expectations.

The business — which manufactures protein shakes and other nutritional products — was at it again in December, which bodes well moving into the New Year. Last month it said results for the full year “are likely to exceed current market consensus estimates by approximately 10%.“

The nutritional products market is huge and rapidly growing. And Applied Nutrition’s strong brand recognition and deals with major supermarkets is helping it seize this opportunity. In December, it inked a deal with Morrisons to let the supermarket produce and sell Applied Nutrition-branded meals and other products.

Sales could slow when economic conditions worsen and consumers feel the pinch. But the FTSE 250 company’s presence in 85 countries helps spread this risk.

The post Up 80%+ last year, will these FTSE 250 shares do it all again in 2026? appeared first on The Motley Fool UK.

However, while most investors have focused on this FTSE 100 success story, many have overlooked the explosive comeback FTSE 250 stock Lion Finance Group (LSE:BGEO) has delivered.

The Georgian and Armenian banking business has delivered a phenomenal performance for investors, climbing by 689% in the last five years. And those who reinvested dividends along the way have unlocked an even more staggering 920% total gain!

But is this stock still among some of the best shares to consider buying now?

Inspiring returns

Unlike other high-performing bank stocks, Lion Finance’s success isn’t as clear-cut as higher interest rates drive up profit margins. Instead, it’s a culmination of superb strategic decision-making by management.

In 2021, the business began making substantial investments into consolidating its retail banking, payments, and e-commerce solutions into a single fintech solution.

This digital banking transformation resulted in millions of additional customers joining its platform. And with the disruptions of the pandemic subsiding and Georgia’s GDP eventually rebounding, the group began aggressively expanding its loan book.

While this strategy added risk, continued diversification through its 2024 acquisition of Armenia’s largest bank (Ameriabank) added yet another million new clients, while simultaneously opening up more cross-border synergies.

Skip ahead to September, and Lion Finance’s net interest margin now stands at 6%, with a return on average equity at a staggering 27.9%. Suddenly, the stock’s near 10x return makes a lot of sense.

Can it continue to outperform?

With more financial benefits emerging from its Armenian banking takeover deal, there’s a lot to still be excited about. Even more so, considering both economies are expected to see even more growth next year at 5% and 6% respectively.

However, like all investments, there are some critical risks to consider, especially when it comes to the geopolitical landscape.

As previously mentioned, Lion Finance’s operations are concentrated in Georgia and Armenia. But both regions are dealing with political challenges, with Georgia undergoing a full political crisis over the 2024 parliamentary elections while border tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan continue to persist.

Even without these headwinds, integrating the Ameriabank acquisition comes with its own set of execution challenges. And with Lion Finance’s latest earnings per share actually falling slightly short of expectations, cracks might be starting to emerge in the group’s impressive bull run.

The bottom line

Overall, it’s hard not to be impressed with this group’s phenomenal operational and financial performance over the last five years. And with strong economic growth forecasts for 2026, it’s possible that Lion Finance Group could still be a top stock to think about buying right now.

However, there’s no denying the geopolitical uncertainty surrounding operations. And this adds a lot of external risk for investors to consider very carefully.

The post Up 689% in 5 years! Is this still one of the best stocks to buy now? appeared first on The Motley Fool UK.

Firstly, it was called Bank of Georgia until February 2025, so has probably flown under the radar of some investors since then. And second, after surging 95% in 2025, it now has a £4bn market cap, which puts it close to reaching the FTSE 100.

Zooming out further, the share price is up nearly 700% in five years!

But is this FTSE 250 bank stock still decent value after such massive outperformance?

Unstable political environment

As the old name indicated, the bank operates in Georgia, a fast-growing economy located at the intersection of Europe and Asia. The name change reflected its “focus on multiple geographies” following its acquisition of Ameriabank (a leading bank in Armenia).

Now, given its blistering performance this year, I’m somewhat disappointed that I sold this stock back in 2024. This was in the build-up to the Georgian parliamentary election in October 2024, which turned toxic amid widespread accusations of vote-rigging.

Indeed, I was planning to visit the capital Tbilisi last year. But when country-wide protests erupted after the election result, I opted to go somewhere a bit less volatile.

Given this unstable political backdrop, I feared other tourists might be put off. Tourism has been a contributor to the nation’s strong economic performance. More importantly, I worried that external investment would dry up, slowing the bank’s rapid rate of growth.

Emerging markets winner

Looking at the lender’s performance since then though, it’s as if none of that ever happened. In Q3, operating income was up 15.6%, and net interest income jumped 21.1%, boosted by “robust loan book growth and supported by a stable net interest margin at the group level“.

Meanwhile, the Georgian economy grew strongly in Q3, with real gross domestic product (GDP) expanding by 6.5%. For the full year, real GDP growth is forecast at 7.5%, with broad-based positive economic activity.

The bank’s digital monthly active users in Georgia grew by 14.7%, surpassing 1.7m individuals. Armenia remains very strong too.

While downside risks persist — including global trade tensions, regional geopolitical instability, and domestic political challenges — the structural resilience of the Georgian economy and sound macroeconomic policies are expected to continue underpinning growth going forward. Lion Finance, Q3 2025.

Political risk remains

Of course, a deterioration in the political situation in Georgia remains a risk here. There are still regular demonstrations in Tbilisi.

On the other hand, a ceasefire in Ukraine would reduce the likelihood of the conflict spreading across the region, potentially giving the stock a boost. Georgia shares a roughly 550-mile border with Russia.

These geopolitical risks likely explain the stock’s ultra-cheap multiple of just six times forward earnings. This despite the lender boasting strong capital generation and high profitability (a return on equity of almost 30%).

Based on this, it’s easy to see why JP Morgan Cazenove recently reiterated its 10,700p share price target — around 16.5% above the current level. And even after the significant share price appreciation, there’s still a forward dividend yield of 3.9%.

For investors interested in a fast-growing bank trading cheaply with a decent yield, Lion Finance is worth checking out. But I’m looking at other FTSE 250 opportunities for my portfolio at the moment.

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Take the following high-performing UK shares: Chemring Group (LSE:CHG), Baillie Gifford US Growth Trust (LSE:USA) and Lion Finance (LSE:BGEO). These mid-cap growth stocks have produced an average annual return of 14.8% during the past decade.

The question is, can these FTSE 250 heroes keep delivering stunning returns? I think they can, and believe they demand serious consideration right now.

Defence star

Global defence spending has rocketed since early 2022, lifting Chemring’s share price through the roof. This defence stock’s delivered an average yearly return of 11.9% on a 10-year horizon.

To put that into context, that’s more that double the broader FTSE 250’s corresponding return of 5.5%.

I wouldn’t bet against further stunning price gains as geopolitical tensions grow. Chemring manufactures countermeasures, sensors and explosives. And it’s thriving as Western nations rebuild their arsenals following the post-Cold War lull.

The company reported £488m worth of new orders in the first half of 2025, up 44% year on year at stable exchange rates. To meet future demand, it’s rapidly expanding production — by 2028, total explosives capacity will be 275% higher than it is today.

Despite supply chain strains and competitive threats, I’m expecting further share price growth.

Tech boom

The Baillie Gifford US Growth Trust has delivered an excellent 10.1% average annual return since late 2015. This is down to the stunning performance of the US stock market and — more specifically — the soaring tech sector.

In total, the investment trust holds 58 tech stocks including ‘Magnificent Seven’ star performers Nvidia, Meta and Amazon. It also has stakes in private companies like SpaceEx that would otherwise be off limits to private investors.

Today, more than 35% of Baillie Gifford’s trust is dedicated to tech stocks. This could cause it to underperform during economic downturns. More broadly speaking too, almost 90% of the entire product is dedicated to cyclical and sensitive industries.

Yet as we’ve seen, the trust’s strategy can also lead to supersized returns. I’m expecting it to keep delivering the goods as new tech sectors like artificial intelligence (AI), robotics and quantum computing take off.

Banking giant

Lion Finance has been one of the FTSE 250’s greatest investments since 2015. It’s delivered a 22.5% average annual return since then, more than four times greater than the index average.

The stock traded under the Bank of Georgia name until earlier this year. This reflects its emerging-market-focus which has fuelled spectacular profits (and share price) growth over the last decade. It provides banking services in Georgia, and last year it expanded into Armenia to boost future growth.

Demand for financial services is rocketing across these regions. In the second quarter, Lion Finance’s profit before one-off items rocketed 19.4% year on year, supported by a 22.5% rise in its loan book.

Lion Finance faces significant competition from Georgian rival TBC Bank. Even so, a solid economic backdrop suggests it could keep generating standout returns.

The post 3 FTSE 250 shares to target a 14.8% annual return appeared first on The Motley Fool UK.

Defence hero

Driven by soaring defence spending in Europe, QinetiQ (LSE:QQ.) is being tipped for strong and sustained growth by City brokers.

An 18% bottom-line rise is tipped for this financial year (to March 2026). This leaves the company trading on a forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 15.7 times, which is significantly below those of FTSE 100 defence players like BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce.

This also leaves QinetiQ shares on a rock-bottom P/E-to-growth (PEG) ratio of 0.9. It also means annual dividends are tipped to jump 8% year on year, leaving a 2% dividend yield.

Why is the company so cheap, you ask? A March profit warning, in which the firm advised of severe pressures in the US, spooked investors as uncertainty remains over Washington defence budgets. This remains something investors should keep an eye on.

Yet, on balance, I believe this threat is more than baked into the cheapness of QinetiQ’s share price. I also believe that, on balance, the outlook for the FTSE 250 defence star is massively encouraging as European defence budgets boom. Indeed, the company’s order intake hit record levels of £2bn last year, helped by its robust relationships with the UK Ministry of Defence.

Emerging market star

Lion Finance (LSE:BGEO) has been one of the FTSE 250’s strongest performers in 2025. Yet, it still offers excellent all-round value, with a forward P/E ratio of 5.8 times and a bulky 4.1% dividend yield.

The company’s cheapness compared with other UK banks reflects its unique geographic footprint. As well as offering significant exposure to Georgia, it has a substantial operation in Armenia and a smaller one in Belarus. These regions are no strangers to political turbulence, which continues to this day.

But the rapid pace at which profits are growing still makes Lion worth a close look, in my view. Its operating income grew 9.5% between January and June while profit leapt 28%.

City analysts expect annual earnings per share to drop 18% in 2025. However, this reflects exceptional gains the year before that distorted earnings. Indeed, the number crunchers predict the bank’s impressive long-term growth story to resume, driven by strong economic growth across its markets.

Bank on it

The Bankers Investment Trust (LSE:BNKR) offers a way for investors to target growth and income at significantly lower risk. You see, it holds shares in roughly 100 different companies from across the globe and different sectors:

This diversified approach protects overall returns from individual company, industry, or regional shocks. And pleasingly, this hasn’t come at the expense of returns — since 2015, it’s delivered an average annual return of 11%.

That’s roughly double the return that the broader FTSE 250’s delivered in that time.

Bankers has achieved this through a combination of capital gains and dividend income. Indeed, yearly dividends here have risen every year for more than 50 years. That’s despite its high weighting of tech growth shares, which can impact returns during economic downturns.

Today, the trust trades at a 9% discount to its net asset value (NAV) per share. This makes it worth serious consideration, in my view.

The post Growth, value, and dividends! 3 top FTSE 250 shares to consider appeared first on The Motley Fool UK.