Have I simply discovered my new favorite FTSE 250 share in specialist mortgage lender OSB Group (LSE: OSB)? It definitely seems to be prefer it.

OSB takes retail deposits by means of financial savings franchises Kent Reliance and Constitution Financial savings Financial institution, and lends them to specialist sectors of the mortgage market comparable to buy-to-let, the self-employed, hostile credit score, and business.

It’s a medium-sized enterprise with a market cap of £1.47bn, however has flown beneath my radar till now. The shares are literally up 20% within the final 12 months. Within the final month, they’ve crashed 20%.

My ears all the time prick up when a great inventory tanks. Nonetheless, current expertise has informed me to tread fastidiously round risky shares. Within the final 12 months, I’ve purchased Diageo, JD Sports activities Vogue, and Burberry Group after revenue warnings. Sadly, solely JD Sports activities Vogue has confirmed successful up to now. Burberry is down a painful 40%.

Is OBS Group a cut price purchase?

The OBS crash was triggered by a poorly acquired set of half-year outcomes on 15 August, but there have been positives in there, too. Underlying revenue earlier than tax greater than doubled to £249.9m, whereas statutory revenue tripled from £76.7m to £241.3m.

Nonetheless, on nearer inspection these numbers have been a bit of deceptive, as OSB suffered one-off hostile actions within the prior 12 months.

There was one other situation. The board had forecast full-year internet curiosity margins of 250 foundation factors, however minimize them to between 230 and 240, amid elevated mortgage market competitors. It’s not an enormous minimize, however that’s a key metric.

Underlying return on fairness climbed to 18% however internet mortgage e-book development was modest at 1.5%, “slightly lower than originally guided as we prioritised returns over growth”, based on CEO Andy Golding.

Excessive earnings, low valuation

Personally, I’m involved in regards to the outlook for the buy-to-let market, the place OSB is a number one gentle, writing 9% of all new mortgages. Labour’s forthcoming Renters’ Rights invoice is spooking landlords and plenty of are promoting up, whereas new entrants could also be deterred.

Golding says OBS faces “increased competition in the subdued mortgage market”, which doesn’t augur nicely both. So I can see why buyers are involved.

Its steadiness sheet stays strong with a standard fairness tier 1 capital ratio of 16.2%, up barely from 16.1% on the finish of final 12 months. That features the influence of a £50m share buyback, introduced in March, principally accomplished by mid-August.

The shares look staggeringly low-cost buying and selling at simply 5.13 occasions earnings. And the trailing yield of 8.29% is a stonker. Particularly for the reason that board hiked first-half dividends 5% to 10.7p per share, in keeping with its coverage. It additionally authorized a brand new £50m share buyback, which started on 6 September.

There are extra dangers than I hoped however given the low valuation and mighty yield, I can stay with that. I’m anxious that upcoming rate of interest cuts might squeeze margins additional, however with underlying internet mortgage e-book development forecast to hit 3% for 2024, I’m planning to purchase it anyway. It appears too good to overlook right this moment.