1 FTSE 250 inventory I would purchase at the moment

The FTSE 100 outperformed the FTSE 250 by a large margin final 12 months. The UK’s blue-chip index ended the 12 months barely up, whereas the mid-cap index fell virtually 20%. That was its worst efficiency since 2008.

As such, I’ve been turning my consideration to mid-sized corporations on the FTSE 250 that may supply me high-growth alternatives. And one defence stock has caught my eye.

Deception and safety

Chemring Group (LSE: CHG) creates superior know-how options for defence, safety and legislation enforcement companies. It additionally sells into business markets comparable to medical, transport and area (prospects embody NASA and SpaceX). Its merchandise might be discovered in additional than 50 nations.

The corporate divides its enterprise into two primary segments. First comes Countermeasures and Energetics, which is made up of merchandise used to deceive radar, sonar and different detection programs. For instance, navy plane use such units to idiot ground-to-air missiles. This division additionally sells plane security elements, comparable to oxygen masks and ejector seats for aircrew.

Its Sensors and Data section provides merchandise to detect organic and chemical weapons, in addition to software program and options for digital warfare. As a consequence of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the corporate sees a rising variety of alternatives for its digital warfare merchandise within the worldwide market.

Enterprise momentum

For the fiscal 12 months ended 31 October 2022, group income elevated 13% 12 months on 12 months to £442.8m. Its underlying pre-tax revenue was up 12% to £62.5m.

Chemring’s order e-book has expanded considerably, attributable to heightened geopolitical tensions. It elevated 30% 12 months on 12 months, and now stands at £650.9m.

The corporate was additionally in a position to cut back its web debt by 73% throughout the interval, leaving it at simply £7.2m.

Lastly, the dividend was elevated 19% to five.7p per share. The inventory now has a ahead dividend yield of two.3%.

Optimism and dangers

The outlook from administration is understandably bullish. It mentioned: “Chemring is properly positioned, with a strong technique, market-leading positions throughout completely different geographies and sectors, and with services and products which are vital to our authorities and blue-chip prospects around the globe. Lengthy-term prospects stay sturdy.”

One threat that ought to be identified is buyer focus. Over 50% of the group’s gross sales are within the US, whereas the UK accounts for about 30% of income. Any slashing of navy budgets right here or within the US over the subsequent few years may impression the corporate’s progress trajectory. That mentioned, the corporate is diversified throughout completely different sectors inside each nations.

Additionally, the inventory would presumably take a knock if Russia and Ukraine entered peace negotiations. Sadly, that doesn’t seem like taking place any time quickly.

Beating the FTSE 250

The shares are up 3% over one 12 months, however they’re truly down 21% since Could. Over 5 years, the inventory is up 58%, excluding dividends. That’s comfortably forward of the FTSE 250, which has declined 6% over the identical interval.

Chemring’s market cap at the moment is £812m, with every share costing 286p. That offers the inventory a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of about 17. Its price-to-sales ratio (P/S) is 1.8. Neither valuation signifies to me that it’s overpriced.

Total, I’m inspired sufficient to start out a place as quickly as I’ve the capital accessible.