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I’m always on the lookout for stocks to buy to enhance my portfolio. But I haven’t looked at the housing sector for some time.
I actually have substantial exposure to the sector already. However, that hasn’t been good for me. Sizeable dividend payments have not made up for falling share prices.
In general, the inflationary environment and higher interest rates have not been good for housebuilders. Inflation pushes up building costs while higher interest rates reduce demand for homes.
However, there is some evidence to suggest that the sector is fairing better than expected. Liberum recently pointed towards “surprisingly” strong demand and falling mortgage rates.
The investment bank added that this was a positive sign for the sector moving towards the traditionally stronger warmer months.
However, there is also some negative data including falling house prices, and a profit warning from Persimmon — a sector leader.
So, with the above in mind, I’m going to take a closer look at two of the most attractive housebuilders in the UK.
Vistry Group
Vistry Group (LSE:VTY) is among the cheapest housebuilders according to its forecast price-to-earnings — around 5.5. Pre-tax profits are expected to have risen 21% in 2022, to approximately £418m, up from £346m a year previous.
However, the big challenge is 2023. Affordable housing is a key segment for Vistry, and demand could be more resilient here. As such, investors will be looking to the partnerships side of the business to help the firm deliver above average returns.
“Vistry is another stock where a premium should be re-established to the sector. Partnerships should prove its resilience and premium growth in 2023, helping Vistry’s returns hold up much better than peers“, Liberum recently noted.
The dividend yield currently sits at a very attractive 7.8%.
Bellway
Bellway (LSE:BWY) recently reported a “robust first half performance“, with record completions of 5,695 homes and a 1.6% increase in average selling prices to £316,900.
However, once again, it’s 2023 that is worrying investors. Bellway said overall reservation rates had reduced by 31.7% to 138 per week. And private reservation fell 43.8% to 91 per week.
The company highlighted that weaker private demand, due to higher mortgage rates and an end to the help-to-buy scheme were partially offset by the company’s programme of accelerating social homes construction.
Liberum, in a recent update on the housing sector, said it liked Bellway’s strong balance sheet, relative valuation, strong operational management team, and balanced portfolio.
Cautious optimism
Naturally, it pays to be cautious in this sector. Further rises in interest rates could really hurt demand and overall house prices. But these two firms offer some degree of insulation from the private market due to their affordable housing operations.
The government’s affordable homes plan could miss production targets by a sizeable 32,000 homes. In theory, this could be more safe business for these two housebuilders.
I already own Vistry but I’m looking to buy more, while also adding Bellway to my portfolio.
