Are these the best small-cap shares for growth investors?

Royston Wild discusses the earnings outlook of two small-cap stars.

| More on:

The content of this article was relevant at the time of publishing. Circumstances change continuously and caution should therefore be exercised when relying upon any content contained within this article.

When investing, your capital is at risk. The value of your investments can go down as well as up and you may get back less than you put in.

Read More

The content of this article is provided for information purposes only and is not intended to be, nor does it constitute, any form of personal advice. Investments in a currency other than sterling are exposed to currency exchange risk. Currency exchange rates are constantly changing, which may affect the value of the investment in sterling terms. You could lose money in sterling even if the stock price rises in the currency of origin. Stocks listed on overseas exchanges may be subject to additional dealing and exchange rate charges, and may have other tax implications, and may not provide the same, or any, regulatory protection as in the UK.

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More.

Arrow Global Group (LSE: ARW) remains on course to break November’s record tops above 300p per share as deleveraging by European banks continues to drive business volumes sky high.

Arrow Global announced in November that total revenues detonated 37% during January-September, to £164.4m. And market appetite for the firm continues to fizzle as it follows through on its aim of “becoming Europe’s leading purchaser and manager of debt” — just last month the business entered the Italian market with the acquisition of Zenith for an enterprise value of €17m.

Against this backcloth the City expects the debt collector to keep punching explosive earnings growth for the foreseeable future, and predicts a 31% advance in 2016 to be followed by a 28% rise in the current period.

Consequently Arrow Global deals on a P/E ratio of nine times for the current period, falling below the bargain-basement benchmark of 10 times. Furthermore, a sub-1 PEG readout of 0.3 underlines the company’s exceptional value credentials.

Constructing corking growth

I also believe a healthy US construction market should help deliver resplendent earnings expansion at Tyman (LSE: TYMN) long into the future.

The number crunchers certainly expect the bottom line to keep swelling in the medium term, and have forecast a 15% rise for 2017, following on from an anticipated 12% rise last year. This results in a P/E ratio of just 11.5 times for the current year, as well as a PEG readout of 0.8.

And there’s good cause for such optimism. Latest construction data from across the Pond showed project spending up 0.9% in November, to $1.18trn, the highest since April 2006. And the strong industry upswing is expected to persist through 2017 at least as the US economic revival continues.

But the US isn’t the only bright spot for door-and-window-parts-builder Tyman, the company noting in November that “encouraging growth has continued in European markets and volumes have held up in UK and Irish markets.”

Build a fortune

And I reckon Tyman’s construction counterpart Severfield (LSE: SFR) is on course to deliver solid earnings growth too.

Despite concerns over the impact of Brexit on the construction sector, Severfield continues to rack up new business at an impressive rate. Indeed, Severfield’s order book clocked in at six-year peaks as of November, at £315m, providing the firm with terrific earnings visibility.

And Severfield’s presence in India also provides plenty of revenue opportunities. The company’s JSW Severfield Structures joint venture secured £29m worth of contracts just last month to build a variety of commercial and industrial structures. And the amount of business is likely to keep rising as the Indian economy booms.

The City has pencilled-in a 35% earnings advance at Severfield for the year to March 2017, creating a very-appealing P/E ratio of 15 times. And an anticipated 16% bottom-line charge in fiscal 2018 drives the multiple to a much-improved 12.9 times.

Moreover, PEG numbers of 0.4 and 0.8 for 2017 and 2018 highlight its exceptional value relative to its likely growth trajectory.

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.

Royston Wild has no position in any shares mentioned. The Motley Fool UK has no position in any of the shares mentioned. We Fools don't all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.

More on Investing Articles

Bearded man writing on notepad in front of computer
Investing Articles

Could a 2025 penny share takeover boom herald big profits for investors?

When penny share owners get caught up in a takeover battle, what might happen? Christopher Ruane looks at some potential…

Read more »

Young woman working at modern office. Technical price graph and indicator, red and green candlestick chart and stock trading computer screen background.
Investing Articles

3 value shares for investors to consider buying in 2025

Some value shares blew the roof off during 2024, so here are three promising candidates for investors to consider next…

Read more »

Investing Articles

Can this takeover news give Aviva shares the boost we’ve been waiting for?

Aviva shares barely move as news of the agreed takeover of Direct Line emerges. Shareholders might not see it as…

Read more »

Investing Articles

2 cheap FTSE 250 growth shares to consider in 2025!

These FTSE 250 shares have excellent long-term investment potential, says Royston Wild. Here's why he thinks they might also be…

Read more »

A pastel colored growing graph with rising rocket.
Investing Articles

Has the 2024 Scottish Mortgage share price rise gone under the radar?

The Scottish Mortgage share price rise has meant a good year for the trust so far, but not as good…

Read more »

Investing Articles

Will the easyJet share price hit £10 in 2025?

easyJet has been trading well with rising earnings, which reflects in the elevated share price, but there may be more…

Read more »

Investing Articles

2 FTSE shares I won’t touch with a bargepole in 2025

The FTSE 100 and the FTSE 250 have some quality stocks. But there are others that Stephen Wright thinks he…

Read more »

Dividend Shares

How investing £15 a day could yield £3.4k in annual passive income

Jon Smith flags up how by accumulating regular modest amounts and investing in dividend shares, an investor can build passive…

Read more »