Best Stock Options For Beginners this January 2026 in the UK

Standard Chartered (LSE:STAN) stands out this month as a compelling investment option, boasting strong fundamentals and a solid track record. With a remarkable 5-year return of 301.49% and a dividend yield of 2.24%, it appeals to investors seeking reliable income from financially healthy companies. Analysts currently rate the stock as a B-, suggesting a hold, but its impressive performance metrics make it worth monitoring closely.

As of January 2026, Standard Chartered has a market cap of HK$442.38 billion, ranking it as the 428th most valuable company globally.

Standard Chartered PLC is rated as a Zacks Rank 3, indicating a 'Hold' recommendation, suggesting an expected inline return relative to the market in the coming months.

Standard Chartered PLC trades under the stock symbol 'STAN' on the London Stock Exchange.

IG Trading Platform stands out as a UK-regulated trading provider, offering access to over 17,000 global shares without commission fees. Although the stock has faced challenges, reflected in a 1-year return of -27.06% and a 5-year return of -4.34%, it boasts a respectable dividend yield of 1.46%. Analysts have set a target price range between 11,000.00 GBp and 14,550.00 GBp, indicating a potential upside of 35.02%, suggesting it could be an attractive option for investors looking for growth amid competition from fintech data providers.

Analysts have set a target price for LSEG between 11,000.00 GBp and 14,550.00 GBp, with an average of 12,400.59 GBp, indicating a potential upside of 35.02%, making it an attractive investment.

LSEG shares are facing pressure due to increasing competition from fintech data providers and potential regulatory challenges.

LSEG's earnings per share grew by 48% last year, with a 25% increase over the past three years, driven by strong short-term performance.

LSEG has a Glassdoor rating of 3.7 out of 5 stars from employees in Bangalore, suggesting a generally positive work environment.

HSBC Holdings stands out as a prime investment opportunity for January 2026, driven by its strong valuation and market performance. With a robust dividend yield of 4.60% and impressive historical returns—64.51% over the past year and 201.04% over the last five years—it appeals to investors seeking reliable income from financially sound companies. Analysts have recognized its potential with a median price target of $52.00, reflecting a favorable outlook for the stock.

Analysts have a median price target of 1,089.48 for HSBC Holdings plc, 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 increased by 3% to $0.5 billion, with an annualized return on average 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, rapid Asian innovation, and growing global AI infrastructure, while advising investors to maintain diversification and prepare for market volatility.

Long call options are an accessible strategy for beginners, allowing investors to purchase shares at a predetermined strike price, with potential profits if the stock price rises. Despite a challenging year with a -57.33% return, the stock has shown resilience over five years, boasting a remarkable 178.99% increase. Analysts remain optimistic, with a median 12-month price target of $450 and strong ratings from firms like Mizuho, TD Cowen, and Citigroup.

MSTR has an average brokerage recommendation of 1.31, indicating a consensus between Strong Buy and Buy based on 16 brokerage firms.

MSTR's decline is due to factors beyond Bitcoin's performance, including potential Bitcoin sales, MSCI's delisting considerations, competitive threats, and concerns over its high-leverage model.

MSTR has experienced a -52.59% change over the past year, with a 52-week price range of $149.75 to $457.22.