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While the FTSE 100 and FTSE 250 indexes have slumped recently, not all shares on the London Stock Exchange have fallen. Believe it or not, there are some shares that have risen as markets have become turbulent, protecting investors from the volatility.
Interested in learning more? Here’s a look at two of these stocks.
Rising while the market is falling
One group of companies that often does well when market volatility picks up is financial trading businesses. The reason they tend to outperform is that volatility creates trading opportunities – when markets are swinging around wildly, customers want to place more trades.
Now, one of my favourite UK stocks in this space is IG Group (LSE: IGG). I’ve highlighted this name a few times recently as an undervalued growth (and income) play.
It’s having a great run at the moment. This week, it actually hit new all-time highs.
Relative to the FTSE 100 (which it’s set to join at the end of this month), it’s outperforming by a wide margin. Over a month, it’s up about 6% versus a 6% fall for the index.
Even near all-time highs, I still see a lot of appeal in the stock. Because it still looks relatively cheap (the forward-looking price-to-earnings ratio is only 12) and offers an attractive dividend yield (3.1%).
Meanwhile, the company is performing well and just announced a strategic review to ensure it captures the full long-term opportunity ahead. “We operate in large and fast-growing markets being reshaped by structural drivers, and now is the time to raise our ambitions,” said the firm in an update.
It’s worth pointing out that IG operates in a competitive market. Players it’s up against include the likes of Robinhood and Trading 212.
It seems to be holding its own amid the growing level of competition, however. So, I think it’s worth considering for a portfolio.
Near 52-week highs despite market weakness
Another company in this industry that could be worth a look though is CMC Markets (LSE: CMCX). It offers similar services to IG but is significantly smaller (it’s in the FTSE 250 index).
It’s not at all-time highs at the moment. But it is near 52-week highs, meaning that pretty much everyone who bought shares in the last year is now in positive territory.
I see a lot of appeal in this name too. Like IG, it’s cheap (the P/E ratio is 11.5) and sports an attractive yield (4.4%).
It also has momentum at the moment. Recently, it has done some major white label deals that could massively boost growth (one of these was with Australian banking giant Westpac).
Again, competition is a risk. These days, traders and investors have a lot of choice when it comes to platforms.
With a below-market-average valuation and an above-average yield, however, I like the risk/reward proposition. In my view, this stock is worth a closer look right now.
