Lion Finance (LSE: BGEO), previously Bank of Georgia, has closely tracked Rolls for much of the past five years.

But that’s where the similarities end. When you take a closer look, the two companies are currently in very different financial positions. With many growth hunters asking if the Rolls opportunity has passed, I’m wondering if Lion Finance is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered?

Growth rates and market history

To understand the scale of these two companies, we have to look beyond the hype. Over the last five years, Rolls-Royce has delivered over a 1,000% return, narrowly outpacing Lion Finance’s impressive 950% gain.

However, if you stretch that lens back to a decade, the narrative shifts significantly. Lion Finance has returned around 660% while Rolls-Royce sits below 400% (as of 30 April).

This tells us that while Rolls has dominated recent headlines, Lion’s been a more consistent, long-term compounder.

Crucially, these returns aren’t just market noise, they’re anchored in fundamental business performance. Rolls’ recent surge has been fueled by a dramatic operational turnaround in its civil aerospace business and rock-solid defence contracts.

Lion Finance, conversely, has been quietly compounding earnings at a rapid pace. Earnings at the firm have climbed from just £1.37 per share back in 2020 to an impressive £13.87 by 2025.

That kind of earnings growth is exactly what fuels share prices over the long haul, proving that both companies have been firing on all cylinders.

So which is the better option?

When you dig into the numbers, it becomes clear why Lion caught my attention as a stock to consider right now. It currently trades at a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 7.89 and a price-to-book (P/B) ratio of 1.99. That makes it look significantly cheaper than Rolls-Royce by almost any traditional metric.

However, a low price tag is not a free lunch. Investors should also consider these factors:

• Valuation: while the current metrics indicate undervalution, they also suggest investors are wary about potential risks.
• Low yield: at only 2.63%, it offers little to income investors. However, recent dividend growth suggests it aims to improve this. 
• Geopolitical risk: this is the elephant in the room. As a major financial entity operating in Georgia, the company remains highly susceptible to regional political instability.

The bottom line

If you are looking for a bargain, Lion Finance certainly looks more attractive on paper. But as always, that discount is the market’s way of pricing in potential danger.

Ultimately, Rolls-Royce remains the safer, more reliable option for most. It’s backed by essential government contracts and possesses a deeply established local footprint that provides a natural defensive moat.

Lion represents more of a high-risk/high-reward play, but it’s certainly worth considering as a small allocation if you have the stomach for it.

As with any investment, never forget the importance of proper risk management and always keep your portfolio well-diversified.

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That’s a pretty great return, I’m sure you’ll agree. But some FTSE 100 shares have performed far better in that time. Take Babcock International (LSE:BAB), Fresnillo (LSE:FRES), and Lion Finance (LSE:BGEO). A £20k lump sum spread equally across these blue chips five years ago would have turned into £129,207 over the same period.

The question is, can these high performers keep delivering stratospheric returns? Past performance isn’t a guarantee of future returns, but I think they can. Here’s why.

Defence giant

Babcock has delivered an average annual return of 14.8% over five years. As one of Europe’s largest defence companies, its shares have soared since the Ukraine war began in 2022. Earnings have jumped as regional arms spending has accelerated, driving its promotion from the FTSE 250 in March 2025.

But that’s not all. A successful turnaround strategy has also thrust Babcock’s share price through the roof. The results? A sharp reduction in debt, the sale of low-margin businesses, fewer cost overruns, and a reinstated dividend that have all reignited investor appetite.

It’s now in a much better shape to capitalise on the improving defence sector outlook. Remember, though, that supply chain issues could stall its momentum.

Gold star?

Mexican miner Fresnillo is the country’s largest gold miner. It’s also the biggest silver producer by volume on the planet. So it’s delivered spectacular investor profits as demand for these safe-haven assets has exploded.

Over a five-year horizon, the average yearly return comes in at 34.5%. But precious metal prices have buckled more recently as the US dollar has roared back. So could the party be over for Fresnillo shares? Possibly, but I’m not convinced. The buck could keep gaining momentum as interest rates likely rise.

However, there’s a plethora of reasons to expect gold and silver to bounce back and for Fresnillo to rise again. These include:

• Rising geopolitical tensions
• Slowing economic growth
• Returning inflationary pressures
• Rising jewellery demand in emerging markets
• Increasing bullion purchases from central banks

Roaring returns

Like Babcock shares, Lion Finance’s stock traded on the FTSE 250 until very recently (March, in fact). Its share price growth has put those of high-flying UK banks like Lloyds and Barclays firmly in the shade. With dividends added in, the average annual return over five years is an extraordinary 64.4%.

This reflects Lion’s focus on developing markets Georgia and Armenia. Rapid economic growth here has supercharged the bank’s revenues and profits, and delivered those stunning share price gains. The bank’s net income has soared around eight times since the pandemic, reflecting low product penetration and strong economic growth in its territories.

A slowdown following the Iran war could impact near-term performance. But given its huge structural opportunities, I expect more blistering returns from Lion Finance shares over the next five years.

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However, with fears about a UK recession rising, I think this pair of bank stocks is worth looking at before Lloyds in May.

Caucasus region

Georgian lender Lion Finance (LSE:BGEO) only joined the FTSE 100 last month, but it’s already up 16% since then. This puts the five-year return at a breathtaking 904%, with loads of dividends on top.

Despite this, the lender (formerly Bank of Georgia) is trading at just 6.6 times forward earnings. And there’s a 3.5% forecast dividend yield.

Just writing all this makes me regret selling this stock in 2024. But the reasons I did so — political risk from contested elections and sanctions from the EU and US — haven’t gone away. These could still cause problems for the bank and its share price.

However, economic growth in Georgia is still expected to be around 5% in 2026, driven by high consumption, robust tourism, and credit growth. And Lion Finance, which is part of a banking duopoly in the country, continues to grow profits strongly.

The lender also owns Ameriabank, one of Armenia’s largest banks. This is another strong economy, with GDP growth of about 7.2% in 2025.

Still trading cheaply and now in the bright lights of the FTSE 100, the stock’s run could be set to continue.

Latin America

Turning to Latin America now, we have Nu Holdings (NYSE:NU). This is the region’s largest digital bank, with an astonishing 131m customers in three countries (Brazil, Mexico, and Colombia) at the end of 2025.

Since Nu is a digital bank with no physical branches, it doesn’t have to rent more buildings and hire branch managers to serve extra customers. As such, the asset-light company is growing revenue and profits very quickly.

One impressive metric worth highlighting is that Nu’s monthly average revenue per active customer reached $15 in Q4, up from $11 a year earlier. But the cost to serve each customer was very low, at just $0.80.

Last year, the lender’s return on equity reached a record 33%. Even for a digital bank, that’s very impressive.

Founder and CEO David Vélez commented: “As we enter 2026, we remain fully focused on winning in Latin America, while building the capabilities that will allow Nubank to evolve into a global digital banking platform over time.”

Of course, there’s no guarantee the firm will enjoy success in the US and Europe. And there’s even a chance international expansion could significantly increase customer acquisition costs and therefore profitability. Expansion overseas always comes with execution risk.

However, the long-term growth opportunity just in Latin America appears massive. Nu serves roughly 15% of the adult population in Mexico, where it’s now the leading issuer of new credit cards, and just 11% in Colombia.

It still has Chile, Argentina, and Peru to enter, and possibly Panama and Costa Rica in Central America.

True to its origins as a tech-focused disruptor, the company is investing heavily in AI. The CEO says Nu will “continue putting AI directly into customers’ hands, moving closer to our long-term vision of an AI-powered personal banker in every customer’s pockets“.

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While the average FTSE 100 P/E is just over 16 today, these two growth stocks are valued at less than half that. With time and compounding, they could help power a stock portfolio towards millionaire territory. The average Stocks and Shares ISA has grown by 9.5% a year over the last decade. At that rate, somebody who invested their full £20k limit would have £1.18m after 20 years. Ready to go on a bargain hunt?

Just look at these low P/Es!

Lion Finance Group (LSE: BGEO) is a stunner. It shares are up an eye-popping 980% in the last five years, a performance topped only by Rolls-Royce. But while Rolls is a household name, this one has flown under the radar. Lion Finance only rebranded from Bank of Georgia in 2025, and powered into the FTSE 100 in March. Since then, its shares have maintained their blistering momentum. They’re up 90% over one year, and 20% in the last turbulent month. Can this continue?

Despite that stellar return, Lion’s P/E ratio remains a bargain-priced 6.8. So how come it’s still such a bargain? It’s all down to that four-letter word – risk. Today, it’s focused on two eastern European countries, Georgia and Armenia. Both are in a volatile part of the world. Georgian capital Tbilisi saw mass protests over electoral fraud in 2024.

Lion has a brilliant expansion opportunity but the political backdrop means things could get bumpy at times. So should investors consider buying it? I think it’s a thrilling momentum play, but only for the brave.

Another great value growth stock

I’m sticking with the financial sector for my next value play, online trading platform IG Group Holdings (LSE: IGG). Its shares are still up 60% over five years, and 42% over the last 12 months.

IG offers spread betting, contracts for difference and share dealing services to retail and institutional investors. It tends to do well when markets are volatile, as this drives trading volumes and revenues. Unsurprisingly, it’s been doing well lately. In 2025, IG posted a 15% rise in pre-tax profit to £564m. It had juicy EBITDA operating margins of 47.3% and rewarded investors with a £125m share buyback.

How brave do investors have to be?

Yet IG Group still boasts a really low P/E of just 6.9. The rising share price has reduced the trailing yield, but it’s still a solid 3.1%. So what are the risks? IG Group can have lean times too. While it’s doing well in today’s uncertain markets, it won’t do as well when they finally calm down. Also, spread batting is risky, and there’s a lot of customer churn, as new hopefuls give it a shot, then back out once the losses rack up.

I think both shares offer compelling income and growth opportunities, at a brilliant price. Well worth a closer look, for ISA investors who are up for the challenge.

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Its origins are far from London. Founded in 1994 after post-Soviet privatisations, it began life as the Bank of Georgia. A London listing followed in 2012, opening the door to deeper capital markets and tighter regulatory oversight. It rebranded to Lion Finance in 2025 after acquiring Ameriabank in Armenia, as it pursues a broader regional footprint.

Its services are standard banking fare, from lending and payments to wealth management. The difference lies in geography and ambition.

Growth at a staggering pace

Like its larger peers, Lion has taken advantage of higher interest rates to widen net margins. All the big banking stocks have flown in recent years, but nothing like this. The Lion Finance share price has surged 887% over the last five years. Only one FTSE 100 name has beaten it in that time, high-flying aircraft engine maker Rolls-Royce, up 1,118% over five years. Over 12 months, Lion leads by a neck. It’s up 107%, against 84% for Rolls.

Rolls-Royce is expensive as a result, with a price-to-earnings ratio of 44. Lion still looks dirt-cheap with a P/E of just 8.1. That’s incredible, given the growth. It’s much smaller operation of course, with a market-cap of £4.8bn against £104bn for Rolls.

In February, Lion reported record 2025 net profit, up 20.9% to GEL2.2bn (£600m), driven by a strong showing in both Georgia and Armenia. The full-year return on equity hit 28.4%, which is roughly double the return of the major UK banks. Today’s market-cap is £4.8bn.

It’s an exciting opportunity. But as is so often the case, comes with greater potential volatility. Georgia’s recent history is somewhat turbulent. In 2024, mass protests erupted in Tbilisi amid fears of electoral vote rigging, and plans for EU accession are currently on hold. The country remains split between pro-EU and pro-Russian factions, a tension that continues to unsettle investors. Especially given events in Ukraine.

That’s the single biggest risk but there are others. Earnings come in local currencies, adding a layer of risk, and the business still leans heavily on two fledgling markets. The growth could keep rolling in if it expands into other eastern European countries, but expansion isn’t without risks either.

Dividend income and outlook

The big FTSE 100 banks are prized for their dividend income, but with a yield of 2.6%, Lion Finance is more of a growth play. That said, the 2024 dividend was increased by 12.5%, and the first-half 2025 payout was hiked by a thumping 50%.

Investors might consider buying Lion Finance for diversification and long-term growth potential. Don’t get carried away though. The shares may struggle to continue its breakneck pace. Politics, geography and currency all add uncertainty that we don’t get with UK-focused Lloyds or NatWest. It’s an exciting addition to the FTSE 100, but only for the lion-hearted.

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M&G (LSE:MNG), Alliance Witan (LSE:ALW) and Lion Finance (LSE:BGEO) are three that have caught my attention today. Want to know what I think makes them genuine bargains to consider rather than value traps? Read on.

8% dividend yield!

Recent share price weakness has propelled M&G’s dividend yield for this year back above 7%, to 7.7%. For 2027, the yield moves to 8%. This makes it one of the FTSE 100’s most irresistible dividend stocks and high on my watchlist for when I have cash to invest.

The firm’s fallen in value as the Iran war has worsened inflationary pressures. If the conflict persists, consumer spending on discretionary financial products could drop. However, I’d still consider buying M&G shares — the long-term outlook remains robust as ever, with demographic changes tipped to drive rapid market growth.

M&G’s leading sector position puts it in great shape to supercharge earnings in this landscape. In the meantime, I expect the firm to keep paying enormous dividends, supported by its cash-rich balance sheet.

Top trust

At £12.20 per share, Alliance Witan’s dividend yield has risen to 2.4%, the highest in about a year. That’s not groundbreaking — the average yield on FTSE 100 stocks sits higher than this at 3.2%.

However, it’s an added sweetener for an investment trust that’s already looking cheap. Today it trades at a 6.1% discount to its net asset value (NAV) per share.

Like other shares-based trusts, Alliance Witan’s dropped amid broader stock market volatility. It might do again. But longer term, I’m expecting it to keep delivering juicy rewards. The average annual return here has averaged 10% over the last five years.

This reflects the trust’s huge portfolio of quality stocks. With holdings in 227 global shares spanning industries and regions, it allows investors to effectively spread risk and capture a multitude of opportunities.

Growth and dividends

Lion Finance is one of the FTSE’s most exciting bank shares in my view. It only entered the blue-chip index in late March. Like HSBC, it harnesses the enormous growth potential of emerging markets.

In this case, the company (formerly known as Bank of Georgia) provides banking services to Georgians and Armenians. Profits have grown rapidly for years, as rapid economic growth has turbocharged boosted personal wealth levels. The bank’s underlying profits soared 28% year on year in 2025.

Can it keep delivering these sort of stunning numbers, though? An extended Middle East conflict could hit earnings if regional and global growth cools. However, I think this is more than reflected in Lion’s rock-bottom valuation.

The forward P/E ratio is 5.6 times. A 3.8% dividend yield provided a tasty bonus. I’m optimistic the bank will keep going from strength to strength.

The post Looking for FTSE 100 bargain stocks? Check these out! appeared first on The Twelfth Magpie.

There could be more volatility to come as the Middle East war drags on. The impact of soaring oil prices on inflation and global growth could be considerable. Yet buying quality shares cheaply today could prove a masterstroke over the longer term.

So which FTSE 250 shares are on my watchlist right now? There are several top contenders I’m considering, and here are a couple of my favourites.

A top REIT

Care home operator Target Healthcare REIT (LSE:THRL) has slumped as hopes of interest rate cuts have faded. Higher rates translate to larger borrowing costs and greater pressure on asset values.

But is the FTSE 250 property stock now too cheap? I think so — it trades on a forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 10.7 times, while its dividend yield‘s an enormous 6%.

While there’s near-term pressure, the long-term picture is compelling as ever. As Britain’s elderly population rapidly grows, demand for assisted living facilities is tipped to skyrocket. Research suggests demand for care home beds could double over the next 25-30 years.

On balance, I think Target Healthcare’s a top defensive stock to consider for these uncertain times. It operates in a highly defensive industry, for one, where rent collection and occupancy issues rarely spring up.

And for dividend investors, I think it’s especially attractive as a safe haven. At least 90% of annual profits from its rental operations must be distributed to shareholders, irrespective of broader conditions.

Down 18% in 3 weeks!

Lion Finance (LSE:BGEO) was trading at record highs above £12 before the Middle East conflict. It’s since fallen almost a fifth in value, which makes it one of the FTSE 250’s hottest bargains in my view.

The share formerly known as Bank of Georgia trades on a forward P/E ratio of 5.9 times. Its price-to-earnings growth (PEG) multiple, too, has slipped to a jaw-droppingly low 0.2. For reference, a PEG below one is often considered to be in bargain territory.

Finally, Lion’s dividend yield for this year is now 3.5%, just above the index average and providing an added sweetener for value lovers.

So why is the Georgian bank slipping? After all, surely the prospect of higher interest rates is encouraging for retail banks’ margins?

The trouble is that higher interest rates could slow economic growth. And when combining slower growth with more expensive debt, businesses and consumers tend to borrow less, resulting in slower growth for Lion Finance’s loan book. And if things get really dire, existing borrowers could also start defaulting, leading to impairments.

While this risk is high, over the long term, the outlook for Georgia’s economy remains bright. GDP growth has averaged 6% over the last decade, as economic reforms in this key regional hub have paid off. With banking product penetration in the country still low, I expect Lion Finance’s profits (and share price) to keep soaring during the next decade.

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Dividends take the total return well north of 1,000% over this period!

Let’s take a closer look at this Footsie newbie to see whether it might be worth considering buying.

A rocket on the London Stock Exchange

The stock in question is Lion Finance Group (LSE:BGEO), formerly Bank of Georgia. It will enter the FTSE 100 in two weeks when the latest changes take place. Joining it will be online trading platform IG Group, while airline easyJet and Hikma Pharmaceuticals will drop out.

What has caused this incredible performance? Put simply, Lion Finance has benefitted from an incredibly strong Georgian economy.

Between 2021 and 2024, GDP growth averaged over 9% annually, driven by financial inflows, low inflation, higher consumption, an influx of skilled migrants fleeing the war in Ukraine, rising tourism, and the nation’s location as a trading/logistics hub between East and West.

The bank has taken full advantage of these fertile conditions, with earnings growing at a five-year compound annual rate of about 50%. Dividends and share buybacks have been plentiful, attracting more investors to the stock.

The acquisition of Ameriabank (the leading bank in neighbouring Armenia) in 2024 provided a second high-growth engine.

I sold too soon

Alas, I previously owned this stock but sold it in late 2024 when things kicked off in Georgia after the contested election result there. This saw mass public protests gather across the country amid accusations of vote-rigging. Things looked very dicey at the time.

With the nation’s ascension to the European Union on hold, and the government facing international scrutiny, I feared political unrest could lead to lower foreign direct investment and tourism. I personally put off visiting Tbilisi at the time.

However, while logical, my fears were ultimately misplaced. Last year, Georgia’s economy grew by 7.5%. And while that did mark a slowdown from previous years, Georgia remains one of the fastest-growing economies in Europe and the Caucasus, as does Armenia.

Lion Finance’s net profit in 2025 jumped 21% to GEL 2.2bn (roughly £600m), with an exceptional return on average equity of 28.4%. Retail digital monthly active users grew 15% in Georgia, reaching over 1.8m, up from just 355,000 in 2019.

Meanwhile, Ameriabank’s digital monthly active users surged by 45.3% to 336,000, with standalone profit growing 23.6%.  

Value on offer

Clearly, the bank has been firing on all cylinders in recent years. But is the stock worth considering as it enters the FTSE 100? I think it is, despite the aforementioned political risks, which could flare up at any point between the pro-Russia and EU-aligned political factions.

The forward price-to-earnings ratio is just six, which is well below the FTSE 100 average and other bank stocks. Pair this with a very well-covered 3.5% dividend yield, and I see a lot of value on offer here.

Note, the International Monetary Fund projects Georgian GDP growth of 5% over the medium term. Plus, Armenia offers a lot of long-term growth in digital banking. Today Ameriabank’s digital penetration is only around 11% of the overall population.

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Shareholders have become used to this sort of stunning performance. The stock formerly known as Bank of Georgia has rocketed more than 1,000% in value during the last five years.

That’s a stunning result by any measure. But to put it into further context, Lloyds‘ share price has risen 165% over the period. Barclays and NatWest meanwhile have risen 191% and 206%, respectively.

The question is, could Lion Finance be the best banking share on London’s stock market?

Profits jump

It rocketed again today after releasing forecast-beating trading numbers for last year.

In 2025, the firm — which provides banking services in Georgia and Armenia — saw net interest income leaping 26% to GEL3bn. Robust economic growth in these emerging markets drove customer loans and deposits 20% and 17% higher, respectively.

As a consequence, underlying profits surged 28% year on year, to GEL2.2m. Lion said its bottom line was “driven by strong loan book expansion, customer franchise growth, and sustained profitability across all core business divisions.”

Share buybacks

Like all the FTSE 100‘s major banks, Lion Finance has strong financial foundations. And at the end of 2025 its Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) capital ratio was 17.6%.

This gives it enormous financial firepower to invest for growth. But that’s not all. It also provides scope for the bank to pay large and growing dividends and launch sizeable share buybacks.

Lion hiked the full-year dividend 16.7% for 2025, and today announced the repurchase of another GEL53.5m worth of shares, taking the total for last year to GEL203m.

This tallies up with the bank’s goal of returning 30% to 50% of annual profits to shareholders, and gave the share price an extra boost.

Is Lion Finance the best bank?

Opinions will differ as to whether this is the UK’s best banking stock and the idea of ‘the best’ is, of course, subjective. But I think a case can be made for it. I personally certainly prefer it to UK-focused banks like Lloyds. That’s due to its far superior growth prospects and therefore capacity for sustained share price outperformance.

That’s not to say there aren’t potential challenges here. Political difference in Georgia between pro-Russia and EU-aligned political forces creates policy uncertainty. And they’re unlikely to be resolved any time soon. The final outcome could have serious consequences for Georgia’s economy and by extension Lion’s profits.

But could this be baked into the current cheapness of the bank’s shares? I think so, with its price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 7.7 times far lower than any of these FTSE 100 banks.

On balance, I think it’s a top FTSE 250 share to consider right now. But it’s not the only top growth stock that’s grabbed my eye.

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But some UK mid-cap shares smashed the returns delivered by the broader index. Take Atalaya Mining (LSE:ATYM), Lion Finance (LSE:BGEO) and Applied Nutrition (LSE:APN). They delivered share price gains of 80% and beyond over the course of last year.

However, can they repeat the stunning returns of last year? Can they provide even greater gains? Let’s take a look.

Copper boom

A bumper year for copper prices helped Atalaya Mining shares rise 124% last year. The red metal struck new peaks above $12,000 a tonne towards the end of December, and further gains look likely as supply issues linger.

Looking longer term, I’m expecting metal values to keep rising as demand from the tech sector increases. The US’s decision to categorise copper as a ‘critical mineral’ underlines its growing importance.

Yet Atalaya’s recent success isn’t just down to a strong copper price. It’s also performed heroically in pulling the valuable metal out of the ground. Between January and September 2025, production from its Spanish projects rose 16%, while all-in sustaining costs (AISCs) dropped 13%, lighting a fire under profits.

The miner looks well set up for further gains in the New Year. Remember though that unexpected production setbacks could scupper any share price progress.

Another strong year

Lion Finance’s share price almost doubled in 2025, rising 95% over the year. Political uncertainty, which remains a threat in the country, hasn’t so far derailed its impressive profits story.

Low product penetration and rapid economic growth are supercharging earnings here. The stock — which until last year was known as Bank of Georgia — recorded loan book and deposit growth of 21.7% and 18% between January and September 2025.

Don’t think that Lion Finance has been sitting on its hands though. Significant investment in digital banking has helped it capitalise on the favourable trading environment, and it’s investing in other emerging markets like Armenia to drive future growth.

The World Bank expects Georgia’s economy to grow 5.5% in 2026. This suggests another strong year of profits growth for Lion Finance.

Stunning first year

Applied Nutrition’s share price exploded during its first full year on the London stock market. They leapt 82% in 2025, driven by the company’s habit of beating market expectations.

The business — which manufactures protein shakes and other nutritional products — was at it again in December, which bodes well moving into the New Year. Last month it said results for the full year “are likely to exceed current market consensus estimates by approximately 10%.“

The nutritional products market is huge and rapidly growing. And Applied Nutrition’s strong brand recognition and deals with major supermarkets is helping it seize this opportunity. In December, it inked a deal with Morrisons to let the supermarket produce and sell Applied Nutrition-branded meals and other products.

Sales could slow when economic conditions worsen and consumers feel the pinch. But the FTSE 250 company’s presence in 85 countries helps spread this risk.

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