Best Large Cap Stocks this January 2026 in the UK

Barclays is a key player in the FTSE 100, leading a recent rally with an impressive gain of over 1%. Its strong analyst ratings for 2026 signal confidence in its future performance, making it an attractive option for investors looking for solid growth potential. With a median price target of 510.00 set by analysts, there’s room for a respectable upside to consider.

Analysts have a median price target of 510.00 for Barclays PLC, indicating a potential 4.31% increase from its current price of 488.95.

Shell stands out as a solid large-cap investment with a market capitalization of £231.29 billion, recently gaining 0.27% on January 22, despite challenges in the energy sector. With an impressive annual profit reaching £32.2 billion in 2022, the company is under pressure to increase the UK windfall tax, highlighting its significant financial health. Analysts have rated Shell favorably with an A-, underscoring its strong performance and reliability in the market.

In 2022, Shell reported record annual profits of £32.2 billion, with only £1.86 billion expected to be paid in windfall taxes in the UK and EU.

HSBC Holdings stands out as a leading FTSE 100 component, boasting a market cap of $265.33 billion and a robust 1.45% rise on January 22, reflecting the strength of the banking sector. With an impressive 64.51% return over the past year and a 4.60% dividend yield, it remains an attractive choice for investors seeking reliable income from financially healthy companies. Analysts are optimistic, setting a median 12-month price target of $52.00, with recent upgrades suggesting a positive outlook on the stock's performance.

Analysts have a median price target of 1,089.48 for HSBC shares over the next 12 months, with estimates ranging from a low of 1,034.18 to a high of 1,456.37, indicating a potential decrease of 11.57% from the current price of 1,232.00.

In the first nine months of 2025, HSBC's revenue grew by 3% to $0.5 billion, with an annualized return on tangible equity of 13.9%, rising to 17.6% when excluding notable items.

HSBC Global Private Banking anticipates that 2026 will be influenced by resilient credit markets, advancing innovation in Asia, and a growing global AI infrastructure, while advising investors to remain diversified and prepare for market volatility.

EasyJet, a stock within the FTSE 100, is viewed as undervalued with a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.28, and UBS predicts a potential growth of 67% over the next year. Investors can expect a dividend yield of 2.66%, although the stock has delivered only a 2.45% return over the past year and a significant decline of 24.42% over five years. Currently, it holds a consensus rating of "Hold" from analysts, with a target share price of 605.67, indicating cautious optimism amidst recent downgrades from notable firms.

EasyJet has a consensus rating of 'Hold' from 12 Wall Street analysts, with an average price target of £605.67.

EZJ has a consensus rating of 'Hold' from 7 analysts, with 4 buy ratings, 1 hold rating, and 2 sell ratings.

EasyJet's free cash flow improved by £54 million to £717 million, and its net cash position increased by £421 million to £602 million, although losses are expected to worsen in the first half of 2026 due to ongoing investments.