As a shareholder in the industrial company (it still has a listing in the UK), I see the move to the US market as a good one. Already, its share price is rising.

A logical move

The move to the NYSE and the name change were logical, in my view. Because today, the company generates the bulk of its revenues – and almost all of its operating profit – from North America, where the group operates under the name Sunbelt Rentals. It’s also the US’s second largest player in the market behind United Rentals.

Note that Sunbelt Rentals is a well-known company there – every time I’m over in the States I see its construction equipment (eg bulldozers) almost everywhere. By contrast, in the UK, the company’s relatively unheard of (despite being a huge FTSE 100 winner over the years).

By sticking its primary listing in the US, it should open up its potential investor base significantly. All of a sudden, there will be thousands more institutional investors that can buy into the company (alongside a ton of retail investors too).

I reckon there will be plenty of interest in the industrial stock because the company operates in a growing industry. Right now, the US is building data centres, semiconductor manufacturing plants, infrastructure, and more. So there’s likely to be strong demand for construction equipment in the years ahead.

“The need from infrastructure, construction, industrial, events, and non-construction businesses for a strong rental partner is greater today than ever before, with customers increasingly deeming rental an essential part of their operations.”

Sunbelt CEO Brendan Horgan

An investment opportunity?

Are the UK-listed shares worth a look today? I think so. As I said, the company has a favourable backdrop. Assuming there’s no economic collapse in the US in the years ahead (construction rentals is a cyclical market), Sunbelt should be able to grow its revenues and earnings at a healthy pace.

It’s worth noting that the company plans to share more information with investors on a 12 March earnings call and at its 26 March investor day. At these events it will provide an update on performance, growth trajectory, strategic roadmap, and approach to capital allocation.

Another thing to like here is that the company is immune to artificial intelligence (AI). After all, you can’t ask Anthropic to generate a bulldozer.

As for the valuation, it looks reasonable. Currently, the stock trades on a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of around 20, falling to around 17 using next year’s earnings forecast.

Obviously, that isn’t a bargain. But it also isn’t high for a company with plenty of growth potential and a brilliant long-term track record.

Personally, I’ll be holding on to my UK-listed Sunbelt shares. I’m excited about the potential now the company’s listed in the US.

In my view, the shares are worth considering today.

The post Ex-FTSE 100 stock Ashtead Group is now Sunbelt Rentals. Its share price is rising appeared first on The Motley Fool UK.

No idea what a HALO stock is? Don’t worry, I’ll explain everything below (and highlight one I like the look of today).

What are they?

HALO is a new term coined by Ritholtz Wealth Management CEO and CNBC contributor Josh Brown. It stands for ‘heavy assets, low (chance of) obsolescence.’

Stocks with these characteristics have come into focus recently as fears over AI disruption have hit areas of the market such as software, insurance, and wealth management (anything office-based is coming into focus). All of a sudden, investors are seeking out businesses with heavy, tangible assets that can’t easily be replaced by AI.

Examples of HALO stocks in the FTSE 100 include the likes of Rio Tinto, BAE Systems, and Tesco (which are all up significantly this year). These all look relatively immune to AI – you can’t just ask Anthropic or OpenAI to build a copper mine, a submarine, or a supermarket.

Of course, HALO stocks aren’t immune to risks – they all have their own unique ones. However, in terms of AI disruption, they look relatively safe (and in many cases look set to benefit from the technology).

It’s important to note that HALO stocks aren’t the same as ‘old economy’ stocks. There will be plenty of areas of the old economy that do get disrupted by AI (banking, insurance, etc).

Many of them are in old economy sectors though. Think mining, energy, and industrials.

“These are undisruptable companies from an AI standpoint. There’s nothing Sundar Pichai and Sam Altman can take from them. HALO stocks are immune to Claude Code.”
Josh Brown

A Footsie pick to check out today

Now, a lot of HALO stocks in the FTSE 100 have already jumped this year. As noted above, Rio Tinto, BAE Systems, and Tesco are all up a lot year to date.

One stock in this area of the market that hasn’t jumped yet is construction equipment rental company Ashtead (LSE: AHT). Year to date, its share price is only up a few percent.

I can see this stock doing well in the medium term. It’s a classic HALO name (Anthropic can’t suddenly generate an excavator, forklift or tractor), so it could start to see more interest from investors.

Meanwhile, it should benefit from all the mega project construction taking place in the US (data centres, chip plants, etc). Today, the company generates the bulk of its revenues in the US.

Additionally, the company is planning to move its main listing to the US next month. This should dramatically widen its potential investor base.

One other thing to like is that the company is buying back a lot of shares. This should help to boost earnings per share.

There are risks, of course. An economic slowdown is one – this could result in less construction activity.

But with the stock trading on a fairly reasonable forward-looking price-to-earnings (P/E) of 16.8, however, I like the set-up. I think this stock is worthy of further research today.

The post Why ‘HALO’ shares could be the FTSE 100’s biggest winners in 2026 appeared first on The Motley Fool UK.

It’s not an ideal start as the firm prepares to float in the US. Ashtead shares will have dual-listing in New York and London from 2 March.

But it’s not all bad. For investors seeking cheap FTSE 100 stocks, this recent price weakness could be a fresh tasty dip-buying opportunity. So what makes the company a top value stock to consider?

Why did Ashtead shares fall?

First, let’s talk about why Ashtead shares have dropped again. On Wednesday (28 January), United Rentals (NYSE:URI) — the world’s largest rental equipment supplier — released disappointing trading numbers after Stateside markets closed. This prompted its FTSE rival to fall when the London market opened Thursday.

For Q4, United Rentals’ revenue was up 3% at $4.21bn, but below consensus forecasts of $4.24bn. With margins also being squeezed by inflationary pressures and rising costs, adjusted earnings missed estimates too — at $1.9bn. This was flat year on year and below expectations of $1.93bn.

Did Wednesday’s trading update warrant the sharp drop in United Rentals’ (and Ashtead’s) share price? Perhaps not, when taking into account United’s solid forecasts for 2026. Predicted revenue and adjusted earnings are tipped to rise 4%-7%, and 3%-7% respectively this year. These numbers were also in and around the midpoint of analyst expectations.

That said, Q4’s underwhelming numbers don’t help when worries over weak end markets and inflation and cost headwinds remain high. So perhaps a price drop wasn’t all that surprising.

What next?

Like United Rentals, Ashtead sources more than 90% of revenues from the States. And while it’s also gaining share, the firm’s struggled to grow sales more recently amid weak conditions in key end markets.

But could 2026 be a turning point for the company? It’s more than possible, in my view, leaving its year-to-date share price to suffer a bump in the road.

On one hand, the uncertain outlook for the US economy poses ongoing challenges for construction markets. However, revenues could pick up significantly if (as expected) interest rates in the US and elsewhere continue to fall. It’s also on course to win business from a number of major building projects this year and beyond.

A FTSE growth opportunity?

Indeed, Hargreaves Lansdown analysts have described its North American market as “real growth opportunity over the medium term [with] several growth drivers here“. The range from “the onshoring of supply chains, to government legislation looking to expand infrastructure and chip manufacturing“.

What’s more, a market recovery in 2026 could fuel fresh rounds of acquisitions using Ashtead’s significant cash flows. This could also help propel it back into red-hot growth stock territory.

At current prices, Ashtead’s share price commands a price-to-book (P/B) ratio of 3.4. That’s below the 10-year average of 4.6, and represents an attractive dip opportunity, in my view. It’s not without risk, but I think the FTSE 100 company’s worth serious consideration today.

The post After slumping last week, here’s a FTSE 100 value stock to consider! appeared first on The Motley Fool UK.

These are Legal & General (LSE:LGEN), Ashtead Group (LSE:AHT) and Games Workshop (LSE:GAW). Right now, I hold more shares in this trio of FTSE stocks than any other UK or US share, trust or fund.

But why have I bet big on these blue-chip beauties and think they’re worth considering? Read on to find out.

Game on

I added more Games Workshop shares to my portfolio this month following recent price weakness. As a result, it represents the third-largest single holding in my Self-Invested Personal Pension (SIPP).

Over the last 10 years, the tabletop gaming specialist’s delivered an average annual return of 45%. That smashes the broader FTSE 100’s corresponding 9%.

Can it continue delivering these sorts of titanic returns though? Some have their doubts, citing market maturity and rising competition as a threat to future growth.

I could be wrong but I’m not buying into this argument. I feel that Games Workshop’s Warhammer brand give it a competitive edge others haven’t found a way to match. I’m optimistic they won’t, given its standout quality and deep connection with hobbyists.

Games Workshop’s profits leapt 11% in the six months to November, underlining its market-leading position and strong sector growth. As it prepares to rev up film and TV licensing sales with Amazon, I’m hopeful about further big returns.

Expecting a rebound

Ashtead hasn’t been having such a smooth ride of late. Its share price has been more volatile over the last year though — thanks to outperformance in previous years — it’s still delivered an average yearly return of 19% during the past decade.

The US’s second-biggest rental equipment supplier’s struggled amid a construction market downturn. Things could remain tough if economic conditions worsen.

But I’m hopeful Ashtead’s shares will rebound, potentially as soon as this year as interest rates drop. A raft of major new infrastructure projects Stateside should supercharge plant demand, as could booming data centre construction and investment in US onshoring.

Ashtead’s strong balance sheet could help it seize this opportunity with further acquisitions too.

FTSE 100 income star

I bought Legal & General shares as a way to supercharge my passive income. Today, it’s the largest single holding in my SIPP, narrowly beating Ashtead.

Over the last decade it’s been a brilliant dividend share for me, regularly offering a yield that smashes the 3%-4% long-term average for FTSE 100 shares.

Can the company be a top dividend payer though, even as tough economic conditions are likely to impact its profits? I think it should be able to — dividends have risen each year since 2011, and City analysts expect them to increase again this year.

As a result, the dividend yield’s an enormous 8%. This is supported by the company’s huge Solvency II capital ratio of 217%.

With capital gains combined, the company’s delivered a total average yearly return of 7% over the last decade. That’s good rather than spectacular, admittedly. But I’m optimistic that rapidly changing demographics and rising interest in financial planning will supercharge this figure during the next 10 years.

The post These are my 3 biggest FTSE 100 SIPP holdings. Here’s why! appeared first on The Motley Fool UK.

But how much money does it actually take to make this happen?

Crunching the numbers

According to Pensions UK, the minimum amount of income someone needs to live a comfortable retirement is £43,900 a year. But to add a bit of wiggle room, let’s set a target of £50,000.

On average, the UK stock market offers a respectable yield of around 4% a year. But by being more selective, it’s possible to increase this to around 5% without taking on excessive additional risk. And at this rate, a £50,000 annual passive income would require a £1m investment portfolio.

Obviously, most people don’t have this sort of cash just lying around. The good news is, even when starting from scratch, compounding can enable even modest investors to gradually build to this ambitious milestone over time.

Assuming a portfolio matches the market’s 8% annualised average (which isn’t guaranteed), then even drip feeding as little as £250 a month could be all that’s needed.

Accelerating wealth

Stock picking not only offers the potential for higher yields, but higher overall returns as well. There’s no denying this is a riskier and far more hands-on approach to building wealth. But when executed successfully, the results can be game-changing as many Ashtead Group (LSE:AHT) shareholders have discovered first-hand.

Over the last 20 years, there’s been a secular shift within the construction industry. Contractors and industrial operators are increasingly viewing equipment ownership as a capital-intensive drag on their balance sheets. As such, equipment rental has and is still becoming increasingly popular.

Ashtead spotted and capitalised on this trend far earlier than its competitors. And this first-mover advantage, combined with an exceptionally cash-generative business model, has transformed the business into a global titan, generating a staggering 4,472% total return for investors in the process.

That’s the equivalent of a 21% annualised return. And at this rate, the journey to reaching £1m is drastically shortened.

Still worth considering?

Even in 2026, the transition from ownership to rental is still ongoing. And analysts are projecting the global market size to reach $250bn by 2032, $93.5bn of which is concentrated in Ashtead’s key market of North America.

Comparing this market opportunity to Ashtead’s $10.8bn in revenue last year, the company seemingly has plenty of room for long-term growth. However, it’s important to highlight that there are still risks that come with this.

While Ashtead’s begun diversifying its equipment portfolio outside of the cyclical construction sector, this industry nonetheless still drives the bulk of profits. At the same time, higher inflation’s driven up the cost of maintaining equipment, putting pressure on profit margins.

Nevertheless, with such an impressive track record, Ashtead shares could be worth a closer look from investors seeking to build long-term wealth in the stock market.

The post How much do you need to invest in the stock market to stop work and live off dividends? appeared first on The Motley Fool UK.

Historically, he’s typically stayed within the realms of personal finance. But recently, he introduced British savers to the world of investing and revealed just how much money someone could have made in the stock market since 2016.

The power of investing

Lewis started by asking a simple question: If someone invested £1,000 10 years ago across the top UK savings accounts and various stock market indexes, how much money would they have today?

Unsurprisingly, the stock market indexes, despite all the volatility of the pandemic and recent inflation, vastly outperformed.

His message was clear. While the stock market can be volatile, over the long run, it can work wonders in protecting and building wealth. Yet for investors who choose to buy individual stocks, the returns can be even more explosive.

Targeting bigger returns

Stock picking is a tricky and time-consuming task. But for those willing to put in the effort and stay disciplined, some phenomenal gains can be unlocked. Perhaps a perfect example of this over the last decade is Ashtead Group (LSE:AHT).

The equipment rental enterprise successfully executed its ‘Sunbelt 3.0’ plan to penetrate and capture a significant chunk of the North American market while simultaneously riding organic tailwinds from construction companies increasingly opting to rent rather than own equipment.

This structural market shift, combined with prudent leadership, resulted in Ashtead becoming the second largest operator in North America today, with revenues and earnings skyrocketing in the process. The result? A £1,000 initial investment is now worth £6,020 — a 502% return that almost doubles the S&P 500’s total return.

Still worth considering in 2026?

Looking at Ashtead today, there’s still a lot to like about this business. In April 2024, management launched its updated ‘Sunbelt 4.0’ strategy that seeks to leverage technological efficiency and expand into new speciality sectors to capture even more market share both at home and abroad. And while it’s been a slow start due to macroeconomic pressures, there are some early signs of acceleration emerging.

Of course, Ashtead isn’t a guaranteed winner even with its impressive track record. The construction sector still drives the bulk of its revenues and is notoriously cyclical.

Suppose the US were to fall into a recession? In that case, construction activity could slow considerably with project delays or even cancellations. Not to mention that, while one of the largest players in the equipment rental space, Ashtead isn’t short on competitors, all vying to capture the same market.

Overall, I think Ashtead still offers ample long-term potential. So for investors seeking to start building wealth in the stock market, this business could be worth a closer look.

The post Martin Lewis reveals just how much money you could be making in the stock market appeared first on The Motley Fool UK.

Now, I just asked ChatGPT to list five top UK stocks to buy for 2026 and it gave me some interesting ideas. But I reckon I can outperform these with my own stock picks.

ChatGPT’s stocks for 2026

The stocks ChatGPT came up with are:

• Rolls-Royce (2026’s expected to be a “milestone” year for its nuclear division).
• GSK (a lean valuation and a robust pipeline are draw cards here).
• NatWest (banks should benefit from high interest rates and a resilient economy).
• Bellway (housebuilders are tipped for an ‘adventurous’ 2026).
• RELX (an AI stock without the hype).

Overall, it’s an interesting list. There are some decent companies on it, without doubt. As for the return potential in 2026 however, I’m not so convinced.

For starters, Rolls-Royce had a huge 2025, even after massive gains in 2023 and 2024. Given the stock’s gains, I wouldn’t be surprised to see it take a breather in 2026.

I also wouldn’t be surprised to see NatWest trading sideways in 2026. Last year, it jumped about 60% – a huge rise for a bank stock.

Turning to GSK, it’s traded between £13 and £18 for many years now. And currently, it trades near the latter, so I’m not confident of further gains in the near term.

Bellway shares could rise if interest rates come down. However, this scenario’s far from guaranteed. RELX I’m more positive on. Currently, this tech company’s trading at an attractive valuation.

My picks

As for my picks, my first is Prudential. This insurance stock’s flying right now but remains cheap (and well below its highs).

Next, we have Wise. This FinTech stock looks undervalued and it may get a boost when the company lists in the US in 2026. Another tech company that looks undervalued is London Stock Exchange Group. I see potential for gains in 2026 as the financial data company rolls out new AI features.

Marks & Spencer‘s a turnaround play. It had a dreadful year in 2025 due to a cyber attack, but 2026 should be better. Finally, I like the look of Ashtead (LSE: AHT), the leading construction equipment rental company.

There are a few reasons I’m bullish on the latter stock. One is that 2026 could be a big year for data centre and semiconductor plant manufacturing in the US. Ashtead’s well placed to capitalise on this activity. Today, it generates the bulk of its revenues in the US.

Another is that interest rates are likely to come down in the US. This could lead to a pick up in general construction activity while simultaneously lowering the amount of interest Ashtead pays out on its debt.

Moving the company’s primary listing to the New York Stock Exchange and a broadening out of the stock market are two other factors that could boost the share price.

Of course, there are no guarantees that this stock (or my other picks) will do well in 2026. All need economic conditions to remain healthy. They could all be worth a look however. All are solid companies trading at attractive valuations.

The post ChatGPT picked 5 UK stocks for 2026. I’ve selected these ones instead  appeared first on The Motley Fool UK.

Even from a standing start, I think someone could try to aim for a million by drip feeding money into carefully chosen blue-chip shares on a regular basis.

Here’s how.

Being the tortoise not the hare

Some people have a fantasy about putting a little money into the stock market, finding a brilliant small company set to explode, then watching their investment soar in value.

That can happen – and occasionally it does. But a lot of small companies, even seemingly promising ones, end up going nowhere.

Rather than focusing on speed, I think an investor can focus on taking a realistic approach to investing by using a long-term approach based on finding brilliant businesses that have attractive share prices.

That way it may take many years to aim for a million – but hopefully it can be a realistic goal to aim for.

Building wealth over time

To put that into perspective, let me use a practical example.

Say someone invests £500 per month and compounds it at 10% per year.

How long would it take them to aim for a million?

After 30 years, that approach ought to have increased their portfolio to over £1m.

Choosing shares to buy

So yes, this is a long-term approach to investing.

But I see it as a practical one.

Still, is a 10% compound annual growth rate over the long term realistic? After all, dividends are never guaranteed and share prices can go down as well as up.

I do think a 10% compound annual growth rate is realistic, but it helps to focus on high-quality companies selling at the right share price.

For example, one share I think investors should consider is Ashtead Group (LSE: AHT).

At first glance, this might not seem too exciting: the company operates in the unglamorous world of plant hire and its share price has grown just 5% over the past year.

That pales compared to the 21% growth during that period of the FTSE 100 index, of which the company is a member.

But I think Ashtead has quite a few things going for it.

Demand for plant hire is high, due to large infrastructure projects and housebuilding. There are only a few sizeable groups in Ashtead’s key US market – and it is one of them.

The company has a proven business model, a clear strategy, and a sizeable client base.

Building can be a cyclical market. So any downturn in US construction could be a threat to revenues and profits for the company. But over the long term, I expect the business to perform well.

Getting started, today

If someone aims for a million, of course, they need a practical way to do so.

A useful first step can be selecting a suitable share-dealing account, Stocks and Shares ISA, or trading app for their needs.

After that, they can start to identify the sort of high-quality shares at attractive prices I mentioned above, as they aim for a million.

The post Want to aim for a million with a spare £500 per month? Here’s how! appeared first on The Motley Fool UK.

Apart from all the tax advantages, owning stocks is a far more hands-off method to building wealth and earning extra income compared to starting a business or buying rental property. And while it can take a little while to get the ball rolling, the results can be extraordinary.

With that in mind, here’s how an investor can aim to unlock a £56,719 passive income starting with just £20,000.

Please note that tax treatment depends on the individual circumstances of each client and may be subject to change in future. The content in this article is provided for information purposes only. It is not intended to be, neither does it constitute, any form of tax advice. Readers are responsible for carrying out their own due diligence and for obtaining professional advice before making any investment decisions.

The magic of compounding

On average, the UK stock market generates a total annual return of around 8%. Thanks to exposure to the tech sector, the US stock market’s a bit more generous at around 10%. And investing £20,000 at this higher rate of return with simple S&P 500 index trackers can yield phenomenal results.

Fun fact, a £20,000 ISA growing at 10% a year will transform into just shy of £400,000 in 30 years. And this can be more than doubled to £800,000 by drip feeding an extra £200 each month.

But by using a stock picking strategy, these profits can be sent flying even higher. Why? Because with the right investments, a portfolio could yield significantly greater returns than just 10% a year.

Even if an investor only manages to eke out an extra 2% gain, that’s enough to transform that same £800,000 portfolio into over £1.4m. And when following the 4% withdrawal rule, that’s enough to generate a £56,719 second income.

Aiming for 12%+ returns

Let’s take a look at one of the biggest success stories of the London Stock Exchange – Ashtead Group (LSE:AHT).

Investing in an equipment rental enterprise isn’t exactly the most thrilling idea. But often it’s the boring businesses that yield the most explosive results.

In the past, construction companies often owned their own equipment. But this involved considerable upfront costs as well as ongoing maintenance. Ashtead sought to solve this sector-wide headache with its rental business model. And this simple idea transformed the enterprise into a cash-generative industry giant.

After dominating the UK market, Ashtead expanded abroad to the US. The result? Over the last 30 years, Ashtead’s grown from a tiny British enterprise into a £20bn global empire. And those who reinvested dividends paid along the way have unlocked a staggering 11,800% return.

That’s the equivalent of 17.3% a year – enough to turn £20,000 + £200 a month into £5.85m!

Still worth considering?

Due to its size, Ashtead isn’t likely to generate these levels of returns again. But it nonetheless shows the power of investing early in a business that’s solving a migraine-level problem with the talent to execute.

Having said that, there’s still a lot to like.

The company remains exposed to the cyclical whims of the construction sector. However, management’s been diversifying into new industries as well as countries like Canada to offset this risk. And with North America as a whole investing aggressively into renewing national infrastructure, there’s a strong tailwind for Ashtead to capitalise on.

That’s why I think this business is still worth a closer look for investors seeking to establish a chunky second income in the long run. But there are also other younger enterprises that I’ve got my eye on, which could prove even more lucrative.

The post Want to turn a £20k ISA into a £56,719 second income? Here’s how to get started appeared first on The Motley Fool UK.

So, just how much money have investors made over the years with this index?

Crunching the numbers

The long-term average performance of the FTSE 250 is approximately 11% per year since its inception. That means anyone who put £20,000 to work back in 1992 now has roughly £742,000. However, for those who invested at a later date, the annualised returns haven’t been as impressive.

More recently, smaller businesses have struggled compared to larger established enterprises, given their dependence on the UK economy. And it’s no secret that Britain’s economic growth hasn’t exactly been gangbusters of late. As such, the growth index has struggled to keep up with its historical momentum.

Maximising returns

While achieving a near-8% return over the last 15 to 20 years is hardly anything to scoff at, it pales in comparison to what some FTSE 250 stocks have achieved during that time.

Take Ashtead Group (LSE:AHT) as a prime example to consider. Today, investors know it as a leading FTSE 100 equipment rental business serving industries such as the construction and utilities sectors. But back in September 2005, it was still a young enterprise that had just crossed the milestone of joining the FTSE 250 index.

Investors who saw the potential of the young equipment rental market and put £20,000 to work in Ashtead shares, reinvesting dividends along the way, have gone on to earn jaw-dropping returns. In fact, long-term shareholders have reaped a ginormous 5,845% gain. That’s the equivalent of a 22.7% annualised return – enough to transform £20,000 into £1.8m!

Still worth considering?

With so much growth under its belt, it’s unrealistic to expect Ashtead to deliver another near-6,000% gain over the next two decades. After all, that would make it one of the largest businesses in the world with a market cap of over £1.2trn.

Nevertheless, the business still has some strong tailwinds at its back. The secular demand for construction equipment in North America, particularly as the US invests heavily in revamping its national infrastructure, paves the way for strong long-term demand. And while higher interest rates have caused several large-scale projects to be delayed, that might soon start to change now that the Federal Reserve has begun cutting rates.

Of course, this also highlights the cyclical nature of this business. Over the last four years, Ashtead shares have remained pretty flat due to its high dependence on the non-residential construction sector. And with competition heating up, there’s growing concern of potential pressure on its profit margins due to weaker pricing power.

The bottom line

Ashtead continues to be a top-notch enterprise in my mind – just not one that is likely to deliver another round of transformative gains. And while they’re difficult to spot, there are several companies in the FTSE 250 I suspect have the potential to deliver Ashtead-like returns over the next two decades.

The post Here’s how much money you could have made by investing £20,000 in the FTSE 250 appeared first on The Motley Fool UK.