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Breaking by the 8,500-barrier for the primary time, FTSE 100 shares hit an all-time excessive on Friday (17 January).
On one degree, this appears a little bit unusual. UK development figures proceed to disappoint, with the economic system flatlining since April 2024. As well as, inflation stays above the Financial institution of England’s 2% goal. And earlier this month, yields on 30-year authorities bonds hit a 26-year excessive.
Issues seem to have gotten so dangerous there’s even hypothesis that the Chancellor may need to name an emergency finances to handle one other ‘black gap’ within the nation’s funds.
It actually does appear very gloomy on the market!
And but the UK’s largest listed corporations now appeal to a better valuation than ever earlier than.
What’s occurring?
In my view, this optimism displays the worldwide nature of the FTSE 100.
It’s true that the UK economic system isn’t going ‘gangbusters’ in the mean time. But it surely’s estimated that 75% of the income of the businesses within the index is earned abroad.
This implies they aren’t reliant on one notably territory and are much less affected by one set of financial indicators.
In distinction, the extra domestically-focused FTSE 250 stays 15% beneath its all-time excessive, achieved in September 2021.
And the very best performer on the FTSE 100 over the previous month, illustrates this level.
Doing properly
Since 17 December 2024, shares in Airtel Africa (LSE:AAF) have risen 17%. And the key to its latest success might be that the group doesn’t earn any income outdoors Africa. The specter of ‘Trump’s tariffs’ isn’t going to have an effect on the group.
At 30 September 2024 (H1 25), it reported 156.6m clients in 14 nations, a rise of 6.1% from a yr earlier.
Throughout H1 2025, income was 19.9% increased. Nonetheless, this was calculated utilizing a set alternate charge (fixed forex). Precise revenues have been 9.7% decrease, notably as a result of weak efficiency of the Nigerian naira.
Risky alternate charges do illustrate one of many difficulties of doing enterprise on this a part of the world. It’s additionally a extremely aggressive sector and the required infrastructure might be costly.
However regardless of these dangers, the corporate’s attracting the curiosity of a serious investor. On 27 December 2024, an entity intently linked with one of many firm’s non-executive administrators, Shravin Bharti Mittal, purchased £15.75m of shares. It now brings the stake of Indian Continental Funding to simply underneath 16%.
And within the telecoms business, Africa looks as if the place to be in the mean time. Throughout H1 2025, Vodafone – which derives 20% of its income from the continent – reported a 9.9% improve in its service income within the area.
Over the long run, financial development in Africa is more likely to outpace the remainder of the world. And as incomes rise, customers are more likely to have extra to spend on issues like cell phones.
Excellent news
As somebody who primarily owns FTSE 100 shares, I welcome the brand new excessive. However I’m not getting too carried away. I believe the shares within the index more than likely to do properly over the following 12 months are these which can be much less reliant on the UK economic system, like Airtel Africa.
However as a lot as I believe the group’s in an excellent place to learn from the anticipated development on the continent, I already personal shares in Vodafone and don’t need extra publicity to the sector.
