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With UK shares coming again into vogue for the time being, it’s tempting to suppose that the very best alternatives have been missed. However metropolis consultants reckon there are two shares which have enormous progress potential over the subsequent 12 months or so.
Unlikely? Let’s try to discover out.
A present?
Card Manufacturing facility (LSE:CARD) is a standard sight on the UK excessive road. However in December 2025, the cardboard and present retailer issued a revenue warning. Even with the group positioning itself on the worth finish of the market, it doesn’t appear to have escaped the impression of decreased disposable incomes. Increased employment prices, cussed inflation and intense competitors haven’t helped both.
However analysts reckon the group’s shares are presently (11 February) 57% undervalued. And with a ahead price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of simply 5.7, I can see why they may maintain this view. The inventory additionally gives a pretty dividend. Primarily based on quantities paid over the previous 12 months, it’s yielding 6.7%. After all, given the revenue warning, there’s a chance this may be minimize. And the group has a comparatively brief historical past of paying dividends, so the previous isn’t an excellent information right here.
To try to seize extra revenue, the group designs, manufactures, distributes, and sells its playing cards. It additionally claims this helps it react extra rapidly to altering tastes.
However the enterprise feels somewhat old style to me. It not too long ago purchased Funky Pigeon to spice up its on-line providing however sending playing cards does really feel like a factor of the previous.
The inventory’s additionally probably the most risky round. With a five-year beta of three.1, it means if the inventory market strikes up (or down) by 10%, Card Manufacturing facility’s share value will change, on common, by 31%.
Regardless of its engaging valuation and the spectacular 12-month share value targets, I feel there are higher alternatives to think about elsewhere, in markets with more healthy long-term progress prospects.
Comparable to?
One instance is Gamma Communications (LSE:GAMA).
With the world transferring away from copper cellphone traces to cloud-based communications, the phone group’s prone to be one of many greatest beneficiaries. Its Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS) providing is presently accessible within the UK, Netherlands, Spain, and Germany.
Analysts reckon its shares are 67% undervalued. With a P/E ratio of solely 9.6, there’s robust proof to assist this view. And as an added bonus, the group additionally pays a modest dividend. The inventory’s presently yielding 2.3%.
However the group’s revenue has been impacted by an absence of financial progress and a lack of confidence amongst its goal buyer base of small and medium-sized companies. Additionally, there’s loads of competitors on the market.
And the UK’s plans to close down its Public Change Phone Community (PSTN) in early 2027, is a double-edged sword. Some prospects are transferring to fibre options as a less expensive different to UCaaS. Though Gamma does present this service, it earns a decrease margin than on its cloud providing.
Nevertheless, it operates in an trade the place the course of journey is obvious. After all, the PSTN switch-off may be delayed (it has been earlier than) however, finally, every part shall be within the cloud.
I feel the current pullback within the group’s share value – it’s fallen 33% since February 2025 – may very well be a superb shopping for alternative. I reckon Gamma Communications is a inventory to think about.
