I’ve spent the Christmas break tidying up this website a bit, updating the year’s figures and also having a run through my filters to see what opportunities are out there.
Apart from previous holdings that I may buy back into, I have two filters set up on Stockopedia that reflect my ‘value’ approach.
1. Low PE – P/E < 8, div yield > 5% and larger than £20M
2. Near year lows – Price within 20% of year’s lows, Div yield > 4%, P/E < 10 and, again larger than £20M
There are certain sectors that I exclude such as Biotech research (feast or famine), Semiconductors, Automobiles, renewables and REITs (amongst others). I just don’t know enough about most of these to make an informed decision.
From the rest, this is my current list of ideas.
Hilton Food Group (HFG). Supplies food to supermarket chains. Price/Sales is only 0.1 and the 7% yield is covered, however it operates on really tight margins. One wrong move and zero profit.
Investec (INVP).
“Investec plc is a United Kingdom-based company. The Company provides its clients with products and services in the corporate mid-market, bespoke solutions to high-net-worth clients and access to a wealth management offering through its strategic partnership with Rathbones.” [Stockopedia]. Decent Business, good margins, great PE and PEG and DY.
Not bargain basement territory (it has risen fivefold since 2020) but is still at 2018 levels. Hmmm.
Sabre insurance (SBRE). Car insurance
“Sabre Insurance Group plc is a United Kingdom-based holding company. The Company is a motor insurer with a diverse, multi-channel distribution strategy. It is engaged in the writing of general insurance for motor vehicles, including taxis and motorcycles. It has a network of approximately 1,000 insurance brokers across the United Kingdom.” [Stockopedia]
Earnings are volatile, which is reflected in a PEG of 16 currently. PE is 9 and DY is knocking on 10%
Arbruthnot Banking (ARBB). Banking Services
“Arbuthnot Banking Group PLC is a United Kingdom-based holding company. The Company is primarily involved in banking and financial services. Its segments include Banking, Wealth Management, Renaissance Asset Finance (RAF) ” [Stockopedia]
Niche banking and financial lending services. Share price has been on a rollercoaster this year, starting at 900p, hitting 1100p and back down to 900p again. PE 8, useful 6.5% DY, covered twice. Margins a little below average and share price hasn’t really gone anywhere for 5 years.
In addition, these have been on my watchlist and are getting interesting, once again
WPP (WPP). Very undervalued compared to its peers currently and has had a few recent Contract wins.
Pets at Home (PETS). Everyone loves their pets and with the bolt on Veterinary Agreement with CVS renting floorspace it’s at decent value currently.
Time to have a think about the above. Watch this space.
Update 3/2/2026
Not bought any of the above, although they are (mostly) on my watchlist. WPP has had a mare of a day today. It looks like it’s getting blindsided by the rise of AI. Whilst it is in deep value compared to its peers the Dollar is dropping, which will reduce its earnings when translated to GBP and Trump is making it really hard to do Business with & in the US at the moment, turning on a whim based on who has displeased him today. Not a way to run a Country and people are voting with their feet. USD down, tourism down, Canada and the UK setting up deals elsewhere (China for instance) and bypassing the US.
Can’t decide whether to take some money off the table. Greed and fear. Two very powerful forces.
Update 5/2/2026
Getting jittery about the Market currently. I’ve reviewed my Holdings and taken a couple off the table that have done well for me. This gives me about 10% of my p/f value in Cash, or 4 ‘units’.
Sold LLOY and IGG, both for some very good gains.
Topped up my Gately (GTLY) to a standard unit this week, however. It’s fallen about 13% since my first purchase (so meets my 10%+ fall threshold) and is sitting on a solid, well-covered yield
Currently eyeing up JET2 for a top-up as I think that is pretty good value and my initial purchase has reversed its initial gains. Sitting on a ton of cash and that jingle is everywhere, not just for the Business. It’s being used for parody Social Media Posts and, as Robert maxwell said “There’s no such thing as bad publicity”.
Going to pass on WPP. It’s in deep value relative to its peers but just too much of a Behemoth. Whilst AI Businesses are on cloud cuckoo land valuations, AI is here to stay and WPP seems to be struggling to adapt.
Time to take a look at my screens again……