Picture supply: Getty Photos
The FTSE 100 rose almost 1% yesterday (16 October), ending the day at 8,329 factors. This got here after month-to-month inflation within the UK fell beneath 2% for the primary time since 2021. The expectation is that rates of interest will now head decrease.
Consequently, the index is a whisker away from reaching a brand new all-time report. To attain this, it’d must surpass the 8,445 determine set in Might.
Admittedly, that looks as if tortoise stuff in comparison with the racing hare that’s the S&P 500. The US blue-chip index is up 22.5% for the reason that begin of January and is coming into the third yr of a bull market. It’s almost doubled in 5 years!
Even when we embody its beneficiant dividends, the Footsie can’t mild a candle to that efficiency. But, as issues stand, I’d somewhat put money into FTSE 100 dividend shares over the S&P 500 proper now. Right here’s why.
Extra worth on supply
Because of the raging bull market, many US blue-chip shares look overvalued. The index as an entire is buying and selling on a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of round 28. That’s approach above its historic common.
Against this, the P/E ratio of the FTSE 100’s round 15.4. So there’s a large worth discrepancy.
Now, a few of that’s as a result of composition of the FTSE 100, which is dominated by mature corporations in sectors corresponding to vitality, monetary providers, and shopper staples. These don’t are inclined to command excessive multiples, whereas some US tech giants have market-caps in extra of all listed UK companies mixed.
Nonetheless, among the discrepancy’s attributable to excessive valuations, together with Tesla. Shares of the electrical automobile (EV) pioneer are buying and selling at an eye-watering ahead P/E ratio of 72.
The FTSE 100 dividend yield‘s at the moment sitting at round 3.5%. The S&P 500 yield? Simply above 1%.
Based mostly on this, I’d say there’s much more worth on supply within the UK proper now.
Excessive-yield inventory
One low cost dividend share I just like the look of proper now could be Aviva (LSE: AV.). The FTSE 100 insurance coverage large’s providing a 7.1% yield. That’s principally double the market common.
Lately, the corporate’s bought off many abroad property to give attention to markets within the UK, Eire and Canada. Because of this, it’s strengthened the steadiness sheet and is way leaner.
In August, the agency reported group-wide progress and upped its interim dividend by 7%. Its personal medical health insurance enterprise is booming attributable to report NHS ready lists.
A deep UK recession would current challenges, probably resulting in decrease earnings. However with its bolstered steadiness sheet and huge expertise, I’d anticipate the blue-chip insurer to climate any financial storm that blew its approach.
Whereas dividends are by no means assured, analysts forecast a large 8% yield for Aviva in 2025. And the P/E ratio’s simply 10!
Silly takeaway
To be clear, I’m not saying the S&P 500 gained’t energy even increased. As talked about, it’s within the third yr of a bull market and people have traditionally lasted 5.5 years, on common.
My portfolio has many S&P 500 shares and I anticipate to personal these for years to come back. But with high-yield dividends on supply from low cost shares like Aviva, my eyes are firmly fastened on the UK market proper now.
