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Even essentially the most informal observer of FTSE 100 shares can’t have failed to note the rise and rise of Rolls-Royce in recent times. Its shares have just about doubled in worth once more in 2025.
However there are different members of the UK’s high index that make this unimaginable return look a bit much less spectacular.
Huge progress
Telecommunications and cellular cash specialist Airtel Africa (LSE: AAF) is one instance. Its inventory has now appreciated by nearly 150% within the yr thus far. A good proportion of this solely got here on the finish of October, following a (very) well-received set of half-year numbers.
Income over the primary six months of its monetary yr rose by nearly 26% yr on yr. Adjusted earnings additionally rocketed by a 3rd to $1.45bn, helped by the corporate’s value effectivity programme.
Whereas not a inventory that’s more likely to be on many earnings buyers’ radars, a 9.2% rise to the interim dividend additionally appeared to go down properly and smacked of an organization in impolite well being.
What in regards to the worth?
To be clear, this doesn’t imply that Airtel’s worth gained’t hold going up if buyers proceed to love what they see. But it surely might come again to chew if, for instance, the currencies in its native markets weaken.
Elevated regulation is one other potential headwind, as is the opportunity of extra competitors from rivals wanting a slice of the expansion pie.
To me, this looks like an attention-grabbing alternative for buyers with very long time horizons to think about getting publicity. The close to time period? I’m a bit cautious that the slightest problem might even see merchants bounce ship.
However there’s one other FTSE 100 inventory that’s eclipsed even Airtel’s beneficial properties.
One other FTSE 100 inventory that’s flying
Valuable metallic costs have been on a tear this yr. Naturally, this has been a boon for silver and gold miner Fresnillo (LSE: FRES).
As I sort, the shares are up an astonishing 235%. That’s the kind of acquire one would possibly anticipate from a tech-related penny inventory, not a top-tier juggernaut that makes its cash by digging for shiny stuff.
Nicely, it’s partly as a result of buyers appear to be getting somewhat nervous a couple of potential bubble in AI, a weakening US greenback, and geopolitical uncertainty. Silver provide additionally seems to be tightening.
Look out beneath?
As with Airtel, nevertheless, additional beneficial properties aren’t nailed on. A short tanking within the gold worth in October after tariff-related feedback by President Trump gave some indication of how nervous some persons are. For its half, Fresnillo’s share worth fell by 10% on 17 October and one other 12% on October 21.
The valuation is punchy too. Positive, a P/E of 20 isn’t fairly so pricey because the aforementioned telecommunications titan. It’s additionally far beneath Rolls-Royce shares. However these are very totally different firms. We shouldn’t evaluate apples with oranges.
Because of its purple patch, I’ve no issues over Fresnillo’s monetary robustness. I additionally like the concept having some publicity to this area helps to additional diversify a portfolio.
I’m undecided that is one to think about chasing increased.
