3 UK Stocks to Watch
Let’s take a look at three FTSE 100 heavyweights demonstrating high levels of relative strength.
Barclays (BARC): Strategic Update Sparks Share Surge
Barclays' share price has been in a powerful uptrend since unveiling a strategic update in February. The bank's three-year plan includes significant initiatives such as:
- Cutting costs by £2 billion
- Returning £10 billion to shareholders
- Investing heavily in its profitable UK arm
Barclays plans to allocate an additional £30 billion in risk-weighted assets to its UK retail bank by 2026. As part of its restructuring efforts, the bank will review its payments business and has introduced a new organisational structure with five operating divisions. Additionally, Barclays announced a total return of £3 billion to shareholders for 2023, including a share buyback and a final dividend.
On the price chart, shares have been consolidating sideways in recent weeks, forming a box pattern. This high and tight consolidation indicates trend continuation, and momentum traders could consider buying a breakout above the consolidation box with a stop loss below it.
BARC Daily Candle Chart
(Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results)
Experian (EXPN): Data Dominance Continues
Experian's dominance in data continues as the company reported strong financial results and a promising outlook in its recent full-year results.
For the fiscal year ending 31 March, Experian showed impressive market strength, with organic growth reaching 8% in the fourth quarter and 6% for the full year. This performance exceeded analyst expectations, causing the shares to gap higher.
Total revenue from ongoing activities surged to $7.06 billion, reflecting an 8% increase from the previous year or 7% growth at constant exchange rates. Underlying profit (EBIT) saw a notable rise, increasing 7% to $1.93 billion, further solidifying Experian’s financial standing.
With shares consolidating sideways, trend continuation traders could consider buying at support or waiting for a breakout above the consolidation highs.
EXPN Daily Candle Chart
(Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results)
Vodafone (VOD): German Growth Resumes
Vodafone has significantly underperformed the market in recent years with growth stagnating in key markets. However, the telecom giant’s recent trading update highlighted the progress of its turnaround plan, noting Germany’s return to growth following the divestment of its Spanish and Italian operations.
Under CEO Margherita Della Valle, Vodafone has embarked on a transformation, streamlining its operations and addressing underperforming markets. Despite a 74% decline in FY24 operating profits, primarily due to exceptional gains in the previous year, Vodafone remains focused on cost-cutting measures, having already reduced its workforce by 5,000 roles with plans to cut an additional 2,000 positions as part of a €1 billion cost reduction target.
The market has responded positively to Vodafone’s recent updates, with shares surging through key resistance in May. After retracing within a small descending channel, shares are starting to break higher again, signalling that Vodafone’s recovery may have further to run.
VOD Daily Candle Chart
(Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results)