Should You Add Aviva plc, Admiral Group plc And Catlin Group Limited To Your ISA?

Is now the right time to buy these 3 insurance stocks: Aviva plc (LON: AV), Admiral Group plc (LON: ADM) and Catlin Group Limited (LON: CGL)?

| 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.

Aviva

On the face of it, Aviva’s (LSE: AV) (NYSE: AV.US) yield of 3.8% is somewhat disappointing. Certainly, it’s better than many of its index peers, but is not quite high enough to be viewed as a top notch income play right now. However, that looks set to change, since Aviva has the scope to hugely increase dividend payments over the medium term since its payout ratio stands at just 44%. This shows that it could afford to pay out a much higher proportion of profit as a dividend, which bodes well for future dividend growth.

Furthermore, Aviva is forecast to increase earnings by 16% next year, which provides yet more scope for higher dividends in 2016 and beyond. As such, now could be a great time to buy a slice of it for your ISA.

Admiral

While Aviva’s present dividend may not be sky-high, Admiral’s (LSE: ADM) certainly is. In fact, it is forecast to yield a whopping 5.8% in the current year, followed by 6.2% next year as it is expected to significantly increase dividend payments. This means that, even if its share price does not move higher, you could generate a return of 12% in two years from dividends alone.

Of course, Admiral trades on a relatively high valuation. For example, it has a price to earnings (P/E) ratio of 16.8, which is higher than the FTSE 100’s P/E ratio of around 16. As such, capital gains may appear to be somewhat limited. However, with such a high dividend yield, investor demand could improve dramatically and send Admiral’s shares northwards. Therefore, an excellent total return looks set to be on offer.

Catlin

As with most insurance stocks, Catlin’s (LSE: CGL) bottom line is somewhat volatile. For example, over the next two years it is forecast to fall by 28% following a number of strong years for the business. This instability is, however, priced in to the company’s current valuation, with Catlin’s shares presently trading on a P/E ratio of just 12.4. As such, there appears to be significant potential for an upward rerating adjustment over the medium term.

And, in the meantime, Catlin pays a very appealing dividend yield of 4.4%, which makes the company’s shares even more attractive, while a beta of just 0.6 should mean that they offer a less volatile experience than the wider index in future. As a result, they appear to be well-worth adding to your ISA in just a week’s time.

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.

Peter Stephens owns shares of Aviva. 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

Thin line graph
Investing Articles

Up 40% in weeks, am I too late to buy Nvidia stock?

This writer's decision last month not to buy Nvidia stock has cost him a 40% paper gain to date. Does…

Read more »

Hydrogen testing at DLR Cologne
Investing Articles

Is the Rolls-Royce share price still a bargain in 2025?

The Rolls-Royce share price has moved upwards in recent years in a way this writer sees as remarkable. So, should…

Read more »

A young woman sitting on a couch looking at a book in a quiet library space.
Investing Articles

5 steps to start buying shares this week with just £500

Christopher Ruane sets out the handful of steps a stock market newbie could follow to put £500 to work and…

Read more »

Investor looking at stock graph on a tablet with their finger hovering over the Buy button
Investing Articles

3 cheap near-penny stocks to consider buying right now

Looking for penny stocks, I keep finding shares that just sit outside the usual strict definition. But I think these…

Read more »

ISA coins
Investing Articles

Here’s a FTSE 100 dividend share and a surging ETF to consider in an ISA right now!

I think this FTSE 100 dividend share and exchange-traded fund (ETF) are worth a close look for a Stocks and…

Read more »

Young Asian woman with head in hands at her desk
Investing Articles

Investors who sold out of the stock market in April just missed a ‘face-ripping’ rally

The stock market’s just produced one of the most powerful short-term rallies in decades. So anyone who bailed out has…

Read more »

happy senior couple using a laptop in their living room to look at their financial budgets
Investing Articles

Prediction: this FTSE 250 stock could bounce back on Tuesday

Greggs has been one of the FTSE 250’s worst-performing stocks of 2025. But could that be about to change with…

Read more »

Pink 3D image of the numbers '2025' growing in size
Investing Articles

This FTSE 100 dividend superstar is up 18% in a month – time to consider buying?

Harvey Jones picks out a FTSE 100 dividend company that has been struggling in recent years, but has delivered a…

Read more »