Is this the best share in the FTSE 100?

This share is up by an impressive amount over multiple timescales. Should we expect more?

| More on:

The content of this article was relevant at the time of publishing. Circumstances change continuously and caution should therefore be exercised when relying upon any content contained within this article.

When investing, your capital is at risk. The value of your investments can go down as well as up and you may get back less than you put in.

Read More

The content of this article is provided for information purposes only and is not intended to be, nor does it constitute, any form of personal advice. Investments in a currency other than sterling are exposed to currency exchange risk. Currency exchange rates are constantly changing, which may affect the value of the investment in sterling terms. You could lose money in sterling even if the stock price rises in the currency of origin. Stocks listed on overseas exchanges may be subject to additional dealing and exchange rate charges, and may have other tax implications, and may not provide the same, or any, regulatory protection as in the UK.

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More.

FTSE 100 share Unilever (LSE: ULVR) has been a remarkable success story for shareholders over many different timescales.

Ah, yes! Fast-moving consumer goods with powerful brands. It’s stories like Unilever’s that make the defensive, cash-generating consumer goods sector hallowed ground for long-term buy-and-hold investors the world over.

A compelling business model

The idea is that customers grow to love a company’s brands. They buy the product, use it up, come back for more frequently, and display almost religious loyalty to the firm’s offerings. Bingo! Incoming cash flow is predictable, constant and resilient to general economic downturns.

Next, the company pushes the brand into new territories and tries to get more and more people to buy it. Or it adds new brands either by organic development or y buying them in. The firm’s revenue keeps growing, profits keep growing, cashflow expands and the dividend keeps rising. Meanwhile, year after year, the share price keeps moving up.

It’s worked a treat with Unilever and its brands such as Knorr, Dove, Hellmann’s, Cif, Domestos, PG Tips, Surf and many others. For example, if you’d bought shares in Unilever when they were weak in the year 2000 you’d be up almost 500% on the share price at today’s level around 4,927p. On top of that, you’d have collected a stream of dividends rising a bit most years.

But buying the dips would have been a decent tactic ever since too. If you’d bought the weakness in 2004 you’d be up almost 400% today. If you’d bought in 2009 your shares would be nearly 300% higher, in 2014 and you’d be up just over 100%, and even buying 2018’s weakness would have given you a 30% gain by now.

Will the good times keep on rolling?

So, I ask the question, is Unilever the best share in the FTSE 100 because it’s been giving shareholders the kinds of returns normally associated with much smaller enterprises? Maybe, but past performance is no guarantee that future performance will continue in a similar manner.

One of the main difficulties for investors over the years has been that Unilever never really looked like a bargain. Its attractive qualities have been well appreciated by the market and getting in has always meant taking a bit of a leap of faith based on the quality of the enterprise and your long-term expectations.

As I write, for example, the forward-looking earnings multiple for the current year runs at just over 22 and the anticipated dividend yield is around 3%. That’s all right if we can be sure that the company will continue to grow, but a recent article from the Fool’s Owain Bennallack encouraged me to question such assumptions.

Owain argued that the latest generation of shoppers is used to shopping around and isn’t as loyal to brands as previous generations were. Yet firm’s like Unilever seem to be coveted by investors more than ever judging by their valuations. Maybe the whole sector will come crashing back down to earth soon.

Unilever has indeed been arguably the best or one of the best shares in the FTSE 100 but will it continue to be? Over to you.

Should you invest, the value of your investment may rise or fall and your capital is at risk. Before investing, your individual circumstances should be assessed. Consider taking independent financial advice.

Kevin Godbold has no position in any share mentioned. The Motley Fool UK owns shares of and has recommended Unilever. Views expressed on the companies mentioned in this article are those of the writer and therefore may differ from the official recommendations we make in our subscription services such as Share Advisor, Hidden Winners and Pro. Here at The Motley Fool we believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.

More on Investing Articles

Investing Articles

10%+ dividend growth! 2 FTSE 250 shares tipped to turbocharge dividends

These FTSE 250 income shares look in great shape to grow their dividends by double-digit percentages, says our writer Royston…

Read more »

Frustrated young white male looking disconsolate while sat on his sofa holding a beer
Investing Articles

Would it be madness to buy this FTSE stock smashed by Donald Trump’s team picks?

Ben McPoland takes a look at one FTSE share inside his portfolio that has been battered lately due to a…

Read more »

Investing Articles

After it crashed 25%, should I buy this former stock market darling in my Stocks and Shares ISA?

Harvey Jones has a big hole in his Stocks and Shares ISA that he is keen to fill. Should he…

Read more »

happy senior couple using a laptop in their living room to look at their financial budgets
Investing Articles

How’s the dividend forecast looking for Legal & General shares in 2025 and beyond?

As a shareholder, I like to keep track of the potential dividend returns I could make from my Legal &…

Read more »

artificial intelligence investing algorithms
Investing Articles

Could buying this stock with a $7bn market cap be like investing in Nvidia in 2010?

Where might the next Nvidia-type stock be lurking in today's market? Our writer takes a look at one candidate with…

Read more »

Investing Articles

Is GSK a bargain now the share price is near 1,333p?

Biopharma company GSK looks like a decent stock to consider for the long term, so is today's lower share price…

Read more »

Snowing on Jubilee Gardens in London at dusk
Investing Articles

Could December be a great month to buy UK shares?

Christopher Ruane sees some possible reasons to look for shares to buy in December -- but he'll be using the…

Read more »

Young mixed-race couple sat on the beach looking out over the sea
Investing Articles

Sticking to FTSE shares, I’d still aim for a £1,000 monthly passive income like this!

By investing in blue-chip FTSE shares with proven business models, our writer hopes he can build sizeable passive income streams…

Read more »