Whereas a variety of FTSE 100 traders are drawn to shares buying and selling close to their 52-week lows, I’m really extra concerned with these close to 52-week highs. The rationale for that is easy – these close to 52-week highs are trending up, and share price traits can keep in place for a very long time.

Right here, I’m going to spotlight two Footsie shares which can be at the moment close to their 52-week highs. I personal these shares personally and I’m backing them to climb greater within the months forward given their sturdy upward share price traits.

That is now a tech firm

First up is London Inventory Alternate Group (LSE: LSEG). It ended final week simply 1.1% off its 52-week excessive.

The London Inventory Alternate itself is likely to be the principle factor that involves thoughts whenever you hear this firm’s identify. However its operations prolong far past that at this time.

Consider it or not, that is really now one of many world’s premier monetary information firms. At present, it offers information to 99 of the highest 100 international banks and 75 of the highest 100 international asset managers.

However right here’s the factor. Its valuation is comparatively low for a monetary information firm. At present, the forward-looking price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio is simply 24 utilizing subsequent 12 months’s earnings forecast. That’s one purpose I’m backing the inventory to climb greater.

It’s value mentioning {that a} P/E ratio of 24 is excessive relative to the market common. So, if near-term income development was to return in beneath expectations, the share price uptrend right here might come to an abrupt halt.

On condition that the corporate is shortly about to supply clients with a bunch of recent synthetic intelligence-powered options although, I’m optimistic about its prospects.

Be aware that Jefferies not too long ago slapped a 11,500p price goal on the inventory.

A horny dividend on provide

The opposite inventory I need to spotlight is shopper items firm Unilever (LSE:ULVR). It completed final week simply 0.7% off its 52-week excessive.

Now, this inventory is on hearth in the meanwhile. One purpose for that is that the corporate has a brand new administration staff in place. They’re trying to flip Unilever right into a lean and environment friendly firm. And up to date outcomes indicated that they’re off to a superb begin, with sturdy gross sales from the corporate’s ‘Power Brands’.

I’m optimistic that the shares can proceed to rise from right here. And that’s due to the course of rates of interest. You see, in recent times, Unilever’s rock-solid dividend has misplaced a few of its allure as a result of traders have been in a position to get excessive charges from financial savings accounts. With charges more likely to fall within the second half of 2024, its dividend (which at the moment yields round 3.5% and continues to develop at a wholesome fee) might come again into focus, pushing the share price up.

I feel the massive threat with this inventory within the close to time period is a shopper slowdown. After a number of years of excessive rates of interest, lots of people are fairly stretched and looking out to save cash when purchasing.

I’ve tried a number of ‘private label’ merchandise not too long ago although and plenty of have been horrible. So, I’m backing Unilever merchandise to stay fashionable.

It’s value noting that analysts at JP Morgan have a 5,100p price goal on Unilever. If that focus on involves fruition, I could possibly be taking a look at a return of round 18% when dividends are factored in.