While the S&P 500 delivered a strong 29.3% return this year, some UK equities held their own, with 18 FTSE 100 stocks surpassing the US benchmark. Here's a look at some of the top performers
Company | Total Return (%) |
NatWest | 99.3 |
Rolls-Royce | 95.7 |
DS Smith | 87.8 |
International Airlines | 85.2 |
Barclays | 79.3 |
Beazley | 60.7 |
Hargreaves Lansdown | 55.8 |
3i Group | 55.8 |
Standard Chartered | 50.4 |
Imperial Brands | 49.8 |
While these names performed well,, challenges remained for other FTSE constituents. Retailers like JD Sports and B&M underperformed, while housebuilders struggled despite easing interest rates. Even so, strong performance in financials and industrials highlighted the FTSE’s global competitiveness.
With a mix of high-growth opportunities and reliable income, 2024 underscored the possible value of UK equities for diversified portfolios.