2 ‘high-yield’ FTSE 250 stocks I’d buy for an ISA now

The ISA deadline is today and Rupert Hargreaves has two FTSE 250 (INDEXFTSE:MCX) stocks you might be interested in if you’re stuck for ideas.

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If you are looking for high yield dividend stocks to include in your ISA today, I highly recommend considering Crest Nicholson (LSE: CRST) and Sabre Insurance (LSE: SBRE).

Undervalued 

These two companies are both specialists in their own respective industries and have adopted a policy of returning as much as possible to investors, which is great news for income seekers. 

On top of their attractive income credentials, both companies trade at discount valuations. Crest, for example, is currently dealing at a forward P/E of 7.8. Meanwhile, shares in Sabre are changing hands at a forward P/E of 13.8. This might look expensive at first glance, but considering the fact the company reported an operating profit margin of just under 32% last year, I think the company is undervalued. 

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Indeed, Sabre’s insurance peer Admiral, which last year reported an operating profit margin around the same level, is currently changing hands at a forward P/E of approximately 16.

Specialist businesses

As mentioned above, both Crest and Sabre operate relatively unique businesses in their own industries. 

While most of the listed homebuilders are concentrating on supplying the affordable end of the housing market, where property prices range between £150,000 to £300,000, Crest’s focus is on the middle section of the market. The group sold just over 3,020 homes last year at an average selling price of £393,000. Of these, 637 homes qualify as affordable, which drags down the average slightly.

Sabre is also targeting a premium market. In the highly competitive UK motor insurance market, its business is “biased toward the specialist, higher premium segments,” which has translated into strong growth for the company over the past five years.

The fact that both Crest and Sabre target premium segments of their respective markets is, in my opinion, great news for income investors. Premium segments of any market tend to be less susceptible to recessions and economic downturn, implying these companies should continue to generate steady profits even in the most uncertain times. That’s great news for income-seeking investors.

At the same time, both companies are reporting above-average profit margins. As I noted earlier, Sabre’s profit margins are some of the highest in the UK insurance market. Crest’s five-year average operating profit margin is approximately 19.5%, according to my calculations, which is nearly double the current homebuilding industry average of 9.2%.

Best income stocks 

Both companies’ market-leading profit margins should mean that their market-beating dividend yields are here to stay for the foreseeable future. At the time of writing, shares in Crest support a dividend yield of 8.3% and shares in Sabre yield 6.9%. Additionally, both companies have a positive net cash balance, giving them headroom to sustain the payout, or even increase it if the going gets tough.

So overall, these two companies have market-beating dividend yields, attractive valuations, and sector-leading profit margins. Combined, all of these factors tell me they’re great high-yield stocks to include in your ISA. I don’t think they’ll let you down.

Like buying £1 for 31p

This seems ridiculous, but we almost never see shares looking this cheap. Yet this Share Advisor pick has a price/book ratio of 0.31. In plain English, this means that investors effectively get in on a business that holds £1 of assets for every 31p they invest!

Of course, this is the stock market where money is always at risk — these valuations can change and there are no guarantees. But some risks are a LOT more interesting than others, and at The Motley Fool we believe this company is amongst them.

What’s more, it currently boasts a stellar dividend yield of around 10%, and right now it’s possible for investors to jump aboard at near-historic lows. Want to get the name for yourself?

See the full investment case

Should you invest, the value of your investment may rise or fall and your capital is at risk. Before investing, your individual circumstances should be assessed. Consider taking independent financial advice.

Rupert Hargreaves owns no share 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.

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