IAG, Rolls-Royce and Natwest: The FTSE 100’s winners of 2024

London: The FTSE 100 had a pretty good year in 2024, with some stocks really standing out. British Airways’ parent company, International Consolidated Airlines, was the top performer, nearly doubling its value. They kicked off a massive £7 billion transformation plan, and folks are optimistic about its future.

Rolls-Royce wasn’t far behind, seeing a rise of over 90%. The company benefited from a rebound in the aviation sector and a growing interest in nuclear energy. Over the last couple of years, they’ve seen a whopping 500% return.

Natwest also had a fantastic year, with an 80% increase in stock value. Their strong results in October, including a 26% jump in third-quarter profits, really helped boost their standing. Barclays also hit a nine-year high, thanks to solid profits from its investment banking side.

On the flip side, some stocks took a hit. JD Sports lost over 40% of its value, mainly due to a profit warning at the start of the year. They struggled with weather issues and a dip in demand linked to the US election. B&M also faced challenges, with its founder planning to step back in 2025. It’s been a mixed bag for the FTSE 100, but the winners are definitely making headlines!