Are these 5 heavily-discounted UK shares secretly screaming buys to consider?
Some of the worst-performing British stocks in 2025 include:
Videndum (LSE:VID) – down 69%
Mobico Group – down 66%
Petrofac – down 65%
Severfield – down 64%
John Wood Group – down 52%
In many cases, when a stock sees more than half its market-cap wiped out in the space of six months, there's cause for concern. However in some cases, a sharp drop in share price can present a lucrative buying opportunity if the underlying business is able to recover.
As a quick crash course, Videndum focuses on making specialised premium hardware and software for the content creation industry. This includes camera supports, LED lighting, robotic camera systems, and live streaming solutions used by individual content creators as well as full-blown professional production studios.
Through a combination of macroeconomic factors paired with worker strikes last year, the media & entertainment industry's in a bit of a cyclical pickle. And the impact of this has emerged in Videndum's financials.
While market conditions have slowly begun recovering, Videndum's revenue stream has been on a downward trajectory since 2022. And pairing this with a series of impairment, discontinued operations, and restructuring charges, the bottom line has tumbled into the red.
To top things off, management's warned that sales in the first half of 2025 are also likely to continue falling year-on-year. Needless to say, this isn't what investors like to see. However, there may be a glimmer of hope.
The media & entertainment industry's expected to deliver a full recovery by the end of 2026. That could be the catalyst Videndum needs to re-spark growth. At the same time, the previously-mentioned restructuring efforts are anticipated to deliver a total of £18m in annualised savings, £15m of which are expected to be realised in 2025.
Pairing this with ongoing renegotiations regarding its debt covenants, management seems to be taking the necessary steps to get back on track. So with the shares trading close to their 52-week lows, is now the time to consider buying?
Looking at the latest forecasts, Videndum certainly appears to have explosive recovery potential. In fact, one analyst has projected the stock could venture as high as 425p, a 460% potential gain from current prices. However, the group's weakened financial position and slow recovery of its target markets definitely introduce considerable risk to an investment today.
Personally, this isn't a tempting proposition right now. But it's still an interesting story to watch carefully moving forward.
The other stocks on this list also have their challenges to overcome. Operational headaches and profit warnings are creating uncertainty for Mobico and Severfield. Financial restructuring issues and delayed results have resulted in Petrofac shares getting temporarily suspended, and questionable accounting practices have raised concerns for John Wood Group.
None of these is good news for shareholders. So 'screaming buys' they may not be. But by digging deeper, investors may uncover potentially lucrative opportunities among all the chaos.
The post Are these 5 heavily-discounted UK shares secretly screaming buys to consider? appeared first on The Motley Fool UK.
More reading
5 Stocks For Trying To Build Wealth After 50
One Top Growth Stock from the Motley Fool
Zaven Boyrazian has no position in any of the shares mentioned. The Motley Fool UK has no position in any of the shares mentioned. Views expressed on the companies mentioned in this article are those of the writer and therefore may differ from the official recommendations we make in our subscription services such as Share Advisor, Hidden Winners and Pro. Here at The Motley Fool we believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.
Motley Fool UK 2025
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
17 minutes ago
- Yahoo
How to find the cheapest train tickets as passengers face 5.5% rise in rail fares
Campaigners have said a potential 5.5% rise in regulated fares is 'outrageous' - but there are some ways you can save money when buying tickets. Train fares in England could jump by 5.5% next year following an uptick in UK inflation, financial analysts have warned. July's Retail Prices Index (RPI) measure of inflation - which is often used to determine increases in the cost of train tickets - will be announced on Wednesday. While the government has not confirmed how it will determine the cap in regulated fare rises for 2026, this year's hike of 4.6% was one percentage point above the RPI rate in July last year. With this July's RPI figure expected to be 4.5%, according to banking group Investec, train fares in England could jump by 5.5%. Bruce Williamson, spokesman for transport pressure group Railfuture said "it would be outrageous" if fares rose by that much, adding that there is no justification in "jacking up fares above inflation". "It's ripping off the customer, driving people off the trains and onto our congested road network, which is in no-one's interest." Chief executive of lobby group Campaign for Better Transport, Ben Plowden, warned that rising fares are "putting people off rail travel", pointing to a survey that found 71% of people would be more likely to take the train if prices were lower. With passengers facing yet another rise in fares, here is a guide on how to save as much money as possible on your train tickets. Get a Railcard There are currently nine available Railcards, depending on your situation and needs, which can knock off 1/3 of your train fare. Most Railcards can be purchased online with the option to download as a digital Railcard to your smartphone or device with our Railcard App. Some one-year Railcards can also be purchased at any staffed National Rail ticket office. You can book your discounted train tickets online or in person, but you must be able to present your Railcard to inspectors during your journey for your ticket to be valid. 16-17 Saver: £35 for one year 16-25 Railcard: £35 for one year, £80 for three years 26-30 Railcard: £35 for one year Disabled Persons Railcard: £20 for one year, £54 for three years Family & Friends Railcard: £35 for one year, £80 for three years Network Railcard: £35 for one year Senior Railcard: £35 for one year, £80 for three years Two Together Railcard: £35 for one year Veterans Railcard: £35 for one year, £80 for three years Book in advance Train companies sell around a million advance tickets every week, according to National Rail. Tickets are usually released 12 weeks in advance, although this can vary, the rail industry body says, adding that the "earlier you book, the better the chance you have of getting the best price". Advance tickets are still available until the day of travel on many routes - sometimes up to 10 minutes before departure. While advance fares are single tickets valid only on the date and train shown on the ticket, they can be combined with other tickets to create an entire journey. Changes can be made before departure, but may be subject to a £10 admin fee and other terms and conditions. Buy a season ticket If you make the same journey more than once a week, it might be worth investing in a season ticket rather than buying tickets daily. An annual season ticket offers a full year's worth of travel for the price of 10 months and 12 days, Network Rail says. Part-time commuters may also want to consider Flexi season tickets, which give passengers day return travel for eight days within a 28-day period. Passengers don't need to choose their travel days in advance, providing plenty of flexibility for hybrid workers who only occasionally come into the office. Depending on your circumstances, you might save more money with either a weekly, monthly or annual season ticket. You can use National Rail's season ticket calculator here to see which ticket is right for you. Travel in a group If you're a small group travelling together, you can also use GroupSave on a variety of Off-Peak tickets across the rail network. GroupSave tickets save up to 1/3 on rail fares for adults travelling in a group of three to nine people. They can be bought for single or return journeys at off-peak or super-off peak times. Make sure you stick with the whole group you booked for to ensure your tickets remain valid during your journey. Travel during quieter times Off-Peak fares are cheaper tickets for travelling at less busy times during weekdays, and all day on weekends, National Rail says. You may have to travel at specified times, or on specified days or routes. On longer distance journeys, if you travel in a peak period one way but want to return when it is less busy, consider booking a combination of advance, off-peak and anytime fares to get the best deal. Rover and Ranger tickets Most train companies offer a selection of Rover tickets and Ranger tickets, which offer unlimited travel within a specified area and time period. Ranger tickets are valid for one day only, while Rover tickets are valid for longer (although still within a limited time period). For example, you could buy a Rover ticket that allows travel within a specific geographical area for three consecutive days, or within a 15-day period. These tickets may also include local bus travel, and there are often other offers and discounts available, including 50% off for children aged five to 15, 50% off for people with a 16-17 Saver Railcard and 1/3 off fares with other Railcards. How are train fares decided? About 45% of fares on Britain's railways are regulated by the Westminster, Scottish and Welsh governments, while the rest are set by train operators themselves. Regulated fares include season tickets on most commuter journeys, some off-peak return tickets on long-distance routes, and flexible tickets for travel around major cities. The Department for Transport (DfT) said there will be an update on changes to regulated fares later this year. Operators set rises in unregulated fares, although these are likely to be very close to regulated ticket increases because their decisions are heavily influenced by governments. A DfT spokesperson said: "The Transport Secretary has made clear her number one priority is getting the railways back to a place where people can rely on them. "The government is putting passengers at the heart of its plans for public ownership and Great British Railways, delivering the services they deserve and driving growth. "No decisions have been made on next year's rail fares but our aim is that prices balance affordability for both passengers and taxpayers." Read more Everything you need to know as ScotRail prepares to scrap peak train fares (The National) Voices: 'We're falling behind': Heathrow expansion sparks backlash over UK's 'outdated' travel infrastructure (The Independent) Train firms accused of 'vexatious' plot to derail Labour nationalisation (The Telegraph)
Yahoo
17 minutes ago
- Yahoo
James Pearce confirms Liverpool forward WILL stay after remarkable U-turn
Liverpool's attack has undergone a profound transformation over the course of this transfer window. The club's sporting director Richard Hughes has spent big money on Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike while also overseeing outgoing deals for Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz. 🚨2025/26 LFC x adidas range🚨 LFC x adidas Shop the away range TODAY LFC x adidas Shop the home range today! LFC x adidas Shop the goalkeeper range today LFC x adidas Shop the new adidas range today! There could be more action in the window with Alexander Isak still being eyed by the Reds' top brass. Also, players like Ben Doak and Harvey Elliott could be shown the exit as Hughes and Arne Slot seek to recoup as much money as they can in sales. 🔴 Shop the LFC 2025/26 adidas away range One other player tipped to depart this summer has been Federico Chiesa. The Italian international can call himself a Premier League champion having played his part in last season's title win but overall it was a disappointing campaign on a personal level. Liverpool change their minds over forward deal Chiesa was injured when he signed from Juventus - and he never really found his groove. According it's been speculated that he would return to Serie A and there have been several teams linked with Atalanta, AC Milan and Napoli among those most frequently mentioned. But now it appears that the 27-year-old has earned himself a second chance under head coach Arne Slot. No serious bids for Chiesa Chiesa's fate looked sealed when he was left out of the touring party for the preseason tour in Asia. But he was included on the bench for the season opener against Bournemouth. And with Liverpool requiring a goal, Slot turned to the Italian. He duly delivered - with Chiesa's first-ever Premier League strike putting the Reds 3-2 up late in the game at Anfield. His cameo has led to talk over what might happen before the end of the transfer window. And while Italian sources have always been consistent in their belief that either Milan or Napoli would strike, it's been confirmed by the Athletic's James Pearce that Liverpool are STILL awaiting a substantial bid for Chiesa. © IMAGO - Federico Chiesa Liverpool 'The expectation was that Chiesa would also move on, but for all the rumours about a possible return to Italy, Liverpool haven't received one serious offer,' the report reads. 'Given the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the club's pursuit of Newcastle United's Alexander Isak, Liverpool should be keeping hold of Chiesa as cover. 'Offloading him at this stage of the window would make little sense. He should be given the opportunity to build on this.' Chiesa might now go on and prove himself to be a useful rotation option as well as an understudy for Mo Salah. It's taken Chiesa a while to reach this point but Friday night perhaps suggested he had finally arrived. Either Italian suitors are going to have to stump up the requisite fee and wages or else it's increasingly likely Chiesa will be staying after all against the odds.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
The three-year loss for CVS Health (NYSE:CVS) shareholders likely driven by its shrinking earnings
CVS Health Corporation (NYSE:CVS) shareholders should be happy to see the share price up 11% in the last month. But that doesn't change the fact that the returns over the last three years have been less than pleasing. After all, the share price is down 34% in the last three years, significantly under-performing the market. Although the past week has been more reassuring for shareholders, they're still in the red over the last three years, so let's see if the underlying business has been responsible for the decline. AI is about to change healthcare. These 20 stocks are working on everything from early diagnostics to drug discovery. The best part - they are all under $10bn in marketcap - there is still time to get in early. While the efficient markets hypothesis continues to be taught by some, it has been proven that markets are over-reactive dynamic systems, and investors are not always rational. One imperfect but simple way to consider how the market perception of a company has shifted is to compare the change in the earnings per share (EPS) with the share price movement. CVS Health saw its EPS decline at a compound rate of 17% per year, over the last three years. This fall in the EPS is worse than the 13% compound annual share price fall. So, despite the prior disappointment, shareholders must have some confidence the situation will improve, longer term. The graphic below depicts how EPS has changed over time (unveil the exact values by clicking on the image). It's good to see that there was some significant insider buying in the last three months. That's a positive. That said, we think earnings and revenue growth trends are even more important factors to consider. It might be well worthwhile taking a look at our free report on CVS Health's earnings, revenue and cash flow. What About Dividends? When looking at investment returns, it is important to consider the difference between total shareholder return (TSR) and share price return. The TSR is a return calculation that accounts for the value of cash dividends (assuming that any dividend received was reinvested) and the calculated value of any discounted capital raisings and spin-offs. It's fair to say that the TSR gives a more complete picture for stocks that pay a dividend. We note that for CVS Health the TSR over the last 3 years was -26%, which is better than the share price return mentioned above. This is largely a result of its dividend payments! A Different Perspective It's good to see that CVS Health has rewarded shareholders with a total shareholder return of 23% in the last twelve months. And that does include the dividend. Since the one-year TSR is better than the five-year TSR (the latter coming in at 5% per year), it would seem that the stock's performance has improved in recent times. In the best case scenario, this may hint at some real business momentum, implying that now could be a great time to delve deeper. I find it very interesting to look at share price over the long term as a proxy for business performance. But to truly gain insight, we need to consider other information, too. To that end, you should learn about the 3 warning signs we've spotted with CVS Health (including 1 which is a bit unpleasant) . If you like to buy stocks alongside management, then you might just love this free list of companies. (Hint: most of them are flying under the radar). Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on American exchanges. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
