With the FTSE 100 at file highs, is now a very good time to purchase UK shares?

The FTSE 100 is near file highs for the time being. On the face of it, that makes it a wierd time to be seeking to purchase shares in UK companies.

Increased share costs means shares are dearer to purchase. And this implies decrease returns for traders – there’s no getting round that. 

I’m not letting the FTSE 100’s run up put me off investing in UK shares, although. Whereas I wouldn’t purchase the entire index at at present’s costs, there are positively elements of it that I feel provide good worth for the time being.

FTSE 100 shares

During the last decade, the FTSE 100 has returned a median of 6% per 12 months. Some shares, although, have achieved significantly better than others.

Croda Worldwide has returned 11% per 12 months on common, in comparison with simply 3.5% from British American Tobacco. Over time, that makes fairly a distinction.

If I’d invested £1,000 at 11% per 12 months, my funding could be value £2,839 after a decade. In contrast, if I’d achieved solely 3.5%, I’d have simply £1,410.

The lesson right here is evident sufficient. A number of the particular person shares within the FTSE 100 have produced excellent outcomes even when returns from the overall index have been extra modest.

I take this to point out there may be particular person shares that may do nicely going ahead, even when the excessive worth of the index at present means its returns will probably be decrease. The query is methods to discover these profitable shares.

Warren Buffett

Warren Buffett has had a terrific quantity of success to find shares that carry out higher than the broader averages. The Berkshire Hathaway CEO is due to this fact a pure particular person to look to for recommendation. 

In line with Buffett, what makes a profitable funding is one the place the underlying enterprise goes to develop in future. Share costs go up as an organization’s earnings enhance.

That is borne out by the FTSE 100 shares above. Croda Worldwide’s earnings have grown by a median of seven% per 12 months over the past decade, inflicting its share worth to rise by round 9% per 12 months.

British American Tobacco, however, has solely elevated its earnings per share by 3.5%. Because of this, its worth has truly fallen by 1% per 12 months on common.

So the secret’s to determine companies that may maintain rising their earnings. However discovering these shouldn’t be straightforward.

Ought to I purchase Croda shares?

Typically, firms which have grown their earnings impressively have one thing holding opponents at bay. This permits them to continue to grow into the longer term.

Given its previous efficiency, it’s pure to wonder if Croda has one thing like this. I feel that’s a tough query for a specialty cheimicals firm.

A correct view of Croda’s prospects includes understanding how the markets it sells into are more likely to develop. It additionally includes evaluating the prospect of a competitor displacing its place in these markets.

I don’t but really feel certified to make a judgement on these issues, however it is a enterprise I intend to seek out out extra about. Within the meantime, I’m searching for rising companies in additional acquainted sectors.