Could these FTSE 100 losers be among the best stocks to buy in 2026?

Whereas the FTSE 100 has had a fairly stonking 2025, just a few of our largest firms have seen their share costs completely walloped.

However now might be the time to go attempting to find bargains. In preparation, I’ve been working the rule over three of the ‘largest losers’ on the market.

Fallen FTSE 100 star

Shares in Diageo (LSE: DGE) have tumbled 37% within the final 12 months because of a poisonous cocktail of sluggish gross sales progress, considerations over US tariffs and administration adjustments. The arrival of weight-loss medication and lack of curiosity amongst many younger individuals for consuming alcohol have additionally been blamed.

Trying forward, it’s exhausting to see this image altering dramatically in 2026. Nonetheless, a whole lot of that is arguably mirrored within the valuation. The worth-to-earnings (P/E) ratio now stands at 13. That’s under the long-term common within the FTSE 100.

However primarily based on its efficiency over the a long time and portfolio of manufacturers, that is removed from a below-average firm. And I wouldn’t need to guess in opposition to new CEO and former Tesco man Sir Dave Lewis working his turnaround magic right here.

Half-year leads to February shall be important studying. If these are even barely higher than anticipated, we might see some (huge) optimistic momentum eventually. The inventory might additionally conceivably profit from a rotation away from the AI/tech titans by traders.

Robust highway forward

One other top-tier struggler in 2025 has been automotive market supplier Auto Dealer (LSE: AUTO). Its share worth is down over 25% as I kind and appears set to finish the yr at its lowest level.

I’ve lengthy appreciated this progress inventory for having a near-monopoly in its house. Because of being an online-only enterprise, working margins are among the many highest within the FTSE 100 too.

However this, Auto Dealer has generated fairly a little bit of negativity amongst sellers. Packages have been cancelled over considerations that its Deal Builder characteristic permits uncommitted patrons to tie up stock and cut back buyer leads. Extra typically, I ponder if traders are involved about how the inventory will react if there’s a slowdown within the UK financial system. Automobile purchases can simply be postponed.

A P/E of 17 is much decrease than it as soon as was however feels about proper contemplating these headwinds. Maybe one to observe for now.

Important purchase?

Finishing our trio of laggards is packaging, cleansing and security merchandise distributor Bunzl (LSE: BNZL). Most of its 37% year-to-date fall truly got here within the spring as traders reacted to weaker-than-expected buying and selling in key markets reminiscent of North America.

Bunzl now has a forecast P/E of simply 12 for FY26. Whether or not that is sufficiently engaging for the danger concerned is, in fact, right down to the person Idiot-follower to resolve.

On one hand, this enterprise ought to handle to carry its personal in powerful financial instances as a result of important nature of what it provides.

That mentioned, the agency’s final replace on 17 December didn’t bode properly. Group working margin is now anticipated to fall barely in 2026. Analysts had been anticipating a small enchancment. This would possibly clarify why it’s the most well-liked inventory of the three amongst quick sellers (these betting the shares have additional to fall).

With a restoration nonetheless wanting a way off, we’d not be in ‘screaming purchase’ territory simply but.