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With markets up considerably, 2025 has probably been an important yr for many SIPP and Shares and Shares ISA traders. However what about subsequent yr? Listed here are two shares that I believe deserve nearer consideration.
FTSE 100 inventory
After a large multiyear rally, the BAE Methods (LSE:BA.) share worth peaked above 2,000p in early October. But it has since retreated to round 1,700p, as I kind (30 December), representing a 17.5% fall.
This downward stress seems linked to renewed hopes for a Ukraine peace settlement, with President Trump stating that he thinks President Putin is now critical about peace. Time will inform. Any precise ceasefire could be welcome, however might see the inventory fall additional.
This units up a considerably unusual dynamic for shareholders like myself. I clearly need peace in Ukraine, but in addition don’t prefer to see a falling funding worth. How you can sq. this?
Properly, peace doesn’t abruptly equal a lot decrease defence spending. Even when there’s a negotiated settlement, Europe has essentially modified its angle to defence spending, whereas navy budgets are rising elsewhere too.
By November, BAE had secured orders of greater than £27bn for the yr, together with £4bn for 20 Storm plane for Türkiye. And that doesn’t embrace the UK’s cope with Norway to provide at the least 5 Kind 26 anti-submarine frigates. That is “anticipated to result in a considerable order“.
Subsequent yr, income is tipped to rise 7% to £32.8bn, with earnings per share rising round 12% to 84p.
This places the FTSE 100 inventory on a forward-looking earnings a number of of 20.4. That’s not significantly costly for a diversified defence large with a large order e book (£75.4bn in June).
Looking forward to 2026, I don’t count on defences shares to ship comparable returns (BAE nonetheless rose greater than 40% in 2025, even after the pullback). However for long-term traders, I reckon BAE is value contemplating at present ranges.
GLP-1 inventory
In distinction, 2025 has been painful for shareholders of Novo Nordisk (NYSE:NVO). The pharma inventory has fallen 39%, as I write. This displays fears that the Wegovy maker has fallen badly behind rival Eli Lilly within the GLP-1 weight-loss medicine house.
Because the summer time of 2025, Novo shares have crashed greater than 60%!
The corporate has additionally confronted stress from on-line pharmacies promoting cheaper compounded variations of its injectable Wegovy therapy. This has seen it ship revenue warnings up to now 12 months, in addition to exchange its CEO.
Nevertheless, Novo not too long ago turned the primary agency to have a GLP-1 oral tablet authorized by the FDA. This got here after a late-stage examine confirmed it safely helped sufferers lose a mean of 16.6% of their physique weight.
Clearly, a every day Wegovy tablet ought to increase the market alternative to tens of millions of obese people who find themselves fearful of needles. And the agency introduced the beginning dose can be out there for simply $149 per 30 days in January 2026 by way of direct-to-consumer telehealth channels.
This might assist it undercut compounded injectable variations of Wegovy, in addition to reaccelerate gross sales subsequent yr. It additionally improves its aggressive standing with Eli Lilly, which isn’t anticipated to get FDA approval for a GLP-1 tablet until March, on the earliest.
Competitors continues to be a threat right here. However with the inventory buying and selling at lower than 15 occasions subsequent yr’s forecast earnings, I believe it’s a chance value enthusiastic about.
