However, looking further afield can help supercharge an investor’s long-term returns.

Small-cap companies like penny stocks are out of favour with many investors. This gives those who take time to explore the London Stock Exchange’s lesser-known companies a chance to snap up some undervalued beauties.

Here are two ‘secret’ value stocks I’d buy to boost my dividend income. Each costs less than £1 to buy.

Michelmersh Brick Holdings

Rising interest rates pose a near term threat to brick manufacturer Michelmersh Brick Holdings (LSE: MBH). Demand for the penny stock’s products could sink if they cause a housing market crash.

That said, I still think the company’s profits will soar over the long haul. Britain’s chronic property shortage and growing population mean that housebuilders will need to supercharge homes production over the next decade.

Analysts at the National Housing Federation believe the UK will have to build 340,000 new homes between 2019 and 2031. This should naturally provide a big catalyst to brick demand.

On top of this, Britain’s ageing housing stock provides Michelmersh with excellent long-term opportunities. The average age of a home here is among the highest in Europe. So product sales to the repair, maintenance and improvement (or RMI) sector could rise sharply as time goes on.

Michelmersh currently trades on a forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 8.7 times. This leaves a wide margin of safety.

The company carries a market-beating 4.9% dividend yield too. And the predicted dividend is covered 2.3 times by anticipated earnings.

This provides decent compensation for dividend investors should earnings disappoint.

Sylvania Platinum

Investing in mining stocks can be risky business. The complex business of mineral extraction can be costly. Common problems at the exploration, development and production phases can also leave revenues forecasts in tatters.

These hazards are reflected in the rock-bottom P/E ratios of many mining shares. Take Sylvania Platinum (LSE: SLP) for instance. This South Africa-based business trades on a forward earnings multiple of 3.7 times.

It’s my opinion that Sylvania’s price could soar as steps to combat the climate emergency accelerate.

Platinum and palladium are key materials in car and truck exhausts. And lawmakers across major regions are demanding higher loadings of the materials to filter out harmful emissions.

Platinum is also a key ingredient in the manufacture of green hydrogen. This provides excellent opportunities for shares like Sylvania as the switch from fossil fuels intensifies. Analysts suggest the green hydrogen market could grow at an annualised rate of almost 30% between now and 2030.

One final reason why I like Sylvania shares: at current prices the penny stock carries a mighty 8.2% dividend yield. In addition, forecast earnings cover the dividend by 3.3 times.

Latest data showing house prices rising at their fastest pace for 14 years has further assuaged my fears on this front.

However, I am worried about the impact of building product shortages on housing construction. This is something that could have near-term implications for Michelmersh and its peers.

Supply problems

Latest purchasing managers index (PMI) data this week showed a downturn in housebuilding in June. A reading of 49.3 is below the expansionary/contractionary watermark dividing line of 50. And it marked the first slowdown for more than two years.

Also in recent days, housebuilder Persimmon cut its own full-year production forecasts to between 14,500 and 15,000 new homes. It had previously expected volumes to grow between 4% and 7% year-on-year from 2021’s 14,551 delivered units.

Persimmon said that “delays in the planning system, disruption in material supply chains and challenges in securing labour” had impacted construction levels in the first half of 2022.

A dirt-cheap penny stock

This has the potential to damage demand for all building products. This includes Michelmersh, a UK share which City analysts expect to record a 40% rise in annual earnings this year.

That said, I believe recent share price weakness reflects the growing near-term threat to the brickmaker’s bottom line. Michelmersh’s share price has dropped around 30% since the beginning of 2022.

At 91p per share, the company’s forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio sits bang on the accepted bargain watermark of 10 times and below.

Strong homes demand

I’d happily buy Michelmersh shares despite this near-term danger. This is because I buy UK shares based on the returns I expect to make over the long haul. It’s why I continue to hold my stake in fellow brickmaker Ibstock.

Once the current problem with raw material shortages passes I expect housebuilding activity to rise strongly again. Indeed, all the country’s major housebuilders have plans to supercharge build rates to make the most of strong market conditions.

I believe property prices will continue to rise solidly during the 2020s. Interest rates are likely to remain well below their historical levels, helping to support strong demand for newbuild properties. Intense competition among Britain’s mortgage providers will also help new homebuyers get onto the ladder, as will new government purchase incentives that are coming down the line.

A top dividend-paying stock

The UK government believes 300,000 new homes have to be built each year to meet this demand. And firms like Michelmersh will play a vital role in enabling housebuilders to create their product.

I think the company’s low share price makes it a bargain right now. And especially as its penny stock status also means it carries a meaty 4.1% forward dividend yield.

Looking good

Key data streaming in from the British housing market shows that demand for homes continues to outstrip supply. So buying London’s quoted housebuilders could be a good idea in this climate.

However, another effective way to capitalise on these favourable conditions might be to invest in companies that manufacture building products.

This is why I think investing in Michelmersh Brick Holdings (LSE: MBH) could be a great idea.

The brilliant brickmakers

On Thursday, a couple of Michelmersh’s industry rivals released news that confirms how fertile the trading landscape is right now.

First up let’s look at Ibstock, a cheap UK share that I own. It said today that “demand in both the new build housing and RMI [repair, maintenance and improvement] markets remains robust”.

Indeed, it said that stronger clay brick volumes would help full-year profits beat its prior estimates.

Brickability Group also today upgraded its profits expectations following better-than-expected business in the last quarter. It noted that “the underlying long-term demand for UK housing remains robust” as does “demand for quality materials for the construction sector generally”.

The trend continues

Thursday’s excellent updates follow Michelmersh’s own strong trading statement of late March. Then the company said that it expected “positive end market fundamentals expected to continue” in housing, commercial and RMI sectors. It saw revenues rise 11.2% year-on-year in 2021.

Rising costs are a problem for the likes of Michelmersh as freight, energy and raw materials prices increase. This is a danger that both Brickability and Ibstock mentioned in Thursday’s updates.

Still, on balance, I think the potential benefits of me owning these stocks outweigh the risks.

Given the wealth of good omens it’s perhaps unsurprising that City analysts think Michelmersh’s profits will continue to soar. Current consensus is for the brickmaker to record a 39% increase in annual earnings in 2022. At recent prices of 123p per share this leaves Michelmersh stock looking dirt-cheap too.

A price-to-earnings growth (PEG) ratio below 1 suggests that a share could be undervalued by traders and investors. And right now Michelmersh trades on a valuation of just 0.4.

An excellent long-term buy

I won’t be fooled into thinking that Michelmersh is just a great buy for today, however. I expect demand for its bricks to remain robust as housebuilding rates rise.

The government has announced plans to “build at least a million more homes, of all tenures, over the next Parliament”. The scale of Britain’s homes shortage means that construction activity will need to remain robust well into the 2030s too.

Driving the workplace revolution

I think the post-pandemic boom in remote working provides plenty of opportunity for stock investors like me. One ‘nearly’ penny stock I’m considering buying to play this theme is Redcentric (LSE: RCN).

A survey by telephone equipment supplier Poly shows the enormous sales opportunities IT services businesses like Redcentric have. It showed that just 48% of employers are “fully prepared” for a blend of office-and-home-based working.

At the same time, 80% of companies reckon that flexible working should be offered to new employees, the data showed. This underpenetrated market provides massive opportunity for firms like Redcentric.

Redcentric provides the network and cloud computing software that allows people to work from anywhere. And the business remains busy on the acquisition front to maximise this enormous market opportunity.

The tech giant sealed the game-changing takeover of cloud computing specialist Piksel during the autumn. And in March, it picked up cyber security specialist 7 Elements for a fee of up to £2.4m.

Too cheap to miss?

Now Redcentric doesn’t have the financial clout or the brand recognition of its US tech rivals. The likes of Microsoft and IBM have the means to make things very difficult for smaller players like this.

Still, it’s my opinion that this risk is baked into Redcentric’s low valuation. At 112p per share, the business trades on a forward price-to-earnings growth (PEG) ratio of 0.9.

Remember that any reading below 1 suggests a stock could be undervalued.

Another ‘near’ penny stock to buy

Like Redcentric, Michelmersh Brick Holdings (LSE: MBH) also trades on a sub-1 PEG ratio today. At 117p per share, the building products manufacturer boasts a reading of just 0.4.

As we saw last week, property prices in the UK continue to soar because of a chronic shortage of new homes. Latest data from Nationwide showed average home values rising at their fastest pace since 2004 in March.

It is clear that Britain will need to supercharge build rates over the next decade to soothe the problem. And businesses like Michelmersh will play an important role in this journey. The UK government has laid out plans to create 300,000 new homes each year by the mid-2020s.

Risk vs reward

I am concerned by the impact of rising costs on Michelmersh’s bottom line. Pleasingly, the business has hedged the costs of expected energy usage in the future (making bricks requires massive amounts of power). But inflation elsewhere still poses a risk to profits.

That said, it’s my opinion that the possible benefits of owning this stock outweigh the dangers. Housebuilders are aggressively stepping up construction activity to capitalise on the booming homes market. Pleasingly for Michelmersh, this is a phenomenon that looks set to run and run.  

Zaven Boyrazian: Bioventix

Bioventix (LSE:BVXP) is a specialist producer of monoclonal antibodies. These are an essential ingredient for performing blood tests when diagnosing a patient. It’s undoubtedly a niche product but remains in high demand as revenues have consistently grown by double digits over the last five years.

Recently, the stock has taken a hit as hospitals have prioritised spending in areas dealing with Covid-19. Consequently, the group’s bottom line has suffered for it. But, with the vaccine rollout making good progress and the world adapting to the pandemic environment, these disruptions may soon be coming to an end.

As such, I think this could be an excellent addition to my portfolio.

Zaven Boyrazian does not own shares in Bioventix.

Ed Sheldon: Calnex Solutions

My top British small-cap stock for January is Calnex Solutions (LSE: CLX). It’s a leading provider of testing and measurement services to the telecommunications industry.

Calnex looks well placed to benefit from the global telecommunication industry’s upgrade to 5G technology. 5G is ultimately the key to many of the exciting new technologies we keep hearing about such as self-driving cars and remote surgery. Networks will need to be tested thoroughly in order for these kinds of technologies to go mainstream.

One risk to consider here is the ongoing semiconductor shortage. This could cause disruption. However, with the stock trading on a P/E ratio of less than 25, I think the risk/reward proposition is favourable.

Edward Sheldon owns shares in Calnex Solutions.

Roland Head: Finsbury Food

My small-cap pick for January is bakery firm Finsbury Food (LSE: FIF). This group supplies supermarkets and also sells under its own brands.

Finsbury has been going through a turnaround period, but now appears to be trading well. Earnings rose by 15% last year and brokers expect growth of 26% for the year ending 26 June.

Rising costs are a concern and supermarkets will always be tough customers. But I’m impressed by Finsbury’s recent performance. I think the stock still looks good value at under 10 times forecast earnings. I hold Finsbury shares and would buy more.

Roland Head owns shares of Finsbury Food.

Rupert Hargreaves: Michelmersh Brick Holdings

My top small-cap is Michelmersh Brick Holdings (LSE: MBH). The specialist brick manufacturer looks set to report a bumper year of growth for 2021, which could underpin further development in the year ahead.

The firm has no debt and a cash-rich balance sheet, suggesting that it has the financial headroom to support its growth ambitions this year. There is also room for shareholder returns. Michelmersh currently supports a dividend yield of 2.5%.

Inflation and competition are the two primary risks the business will have to overcome going forward. Despite these challenges, I would buy this small-cap stock today.

Rupert Hargreaves does not own shares in Michelmersh Brick Holdings.

G A Chester: B.P. Marsh & Partners 

B.P. Marsh (LSE: BPM) is a specialist investor in unquoted, early-stage financial services businesses that are in need of growth capital. 

Marsh looks for strong management and business plans. It takes a minority equity stake (typically 20%-40%), and aims to be a supportive, long-term partner. It works with management to grow the business’s value, ultimately towards a profitable exit via a public flotation, trade sale or other route. 

It has a long history of delivering value for shareholders through net-asset-value (NAV) appreciation and dividends. The shares are currently trading at a 20%+ discount, and I’m expecting a further NAV uplift in an early-February trading update. 

G A Chester has no position in B.P. Marsh & Partners.

Niki Jerath: Zephyr Energy 

For January, I’m looking at Zephyr Energy (LSE:ZPHR). This has oil and gas interests in Utah, Colorado and North Dakota.  

As oil and gas prices increased during 2021, its shares surged by over 600%. Although year-to-date, the stock is down around 2% due to worries about the Omicron variant. 

That said, its Paradox Basin project, in Utah, shows a lot of promise for 2022 and it has a pending deal in North Dakota, which was delayed last year. 

I could be wrong, but if the transaction goes ahead, I expect the share price to see a jump. 

Niki Jerath does not own shares in Zephyr Energy

Royston Wild: Card Factory 

I think Card Factory (LSE: CARD) is a small-cap stock whose eye-catching all-round value merits serious attention. The card and greetings retailer trades on a forward P/E ratio of below 6 times. It sports a mammoth 6.1% dividend yield as well. 

I like Card Factory for a number of reasons. Its strategy of selling products at low prices puts it in good shape to ride the value retail revolution. Recent investments in digital will allow it to make money during the e-commerce boom. I also like Card Factory’s focus on a more-defensive part of the retail market. We don’t stop celebrating birthdays, Christmas and other special occasions when times get tough, right? 

Royston Wild does not own shares in Card Factory.

Paul Summers: Cake Box Holdings

At 25 times earnings, shares in Cake Box Holdings (LSE: CBOX) certainly aren’t cheap. That said, the company’s fundamentals help justify this valuation. Returns on capital and operating margins are consistently high and there’s net cash on the balance sheet. CEO Sukh Chamdal also owns almost 25% of the company, which should mean that his interests are aligned with those of other investors.

Having already climbed 70% in the last year, share price growth may moderate in 2021. However, this looks like the sort of quality minnow I’d be comfortable holding a stake in for years rather than months.

Paul Summers has no position in Cake Box Holdings

Andy Ross: Property Franchise Group 

Shares in Property Franchise Group (LSE: TPFG) bring together an attractive combination of growth and income. Over three years the shares have gone from 120p to around 314p. Historic share price growth then has been good. The dividend yield is currently around 3%, but with decent levels of dividend cover, as well as earnings growth, I’m sure the dividend can keep growing.  

As a franchising operation, the business has high operating margins and returns on capital. For me, this makes Property Franchise Group a top British small-cap stock and I’ll likely be adding more, especially if the share price dips again.  

Andy Ross owns shares in Property Franchise Group.

They are also often put off as these cheap shares often have less financial robustness. This can hamper their ability to pursue future growth opportunities and survive any trading troubles.

More fool them, I say! As a long-term investor, I’m not discouraged by the possibility of a little share price turbulence. What’s more, with the right research, it’s possible to find well-funded companies with exceptional profits outlooks. Indeed, here are a couple of top ‘nearly’ penny stocks on my radar right now.

Soaring sales

I’m thinking of bulking up my exposure to the robust housing market by buying shares in Epwin Group (LSE: EPWN). This particular penny stock manufactures PVC doors, windows, cladding, guttering and wide range of other building products. So it is thriving, thanks to buoyant housebuilding rates and a healthy repair, maintenance and construction market (RMI).

Conditions in the RMI sector are particularly bright right now, and this pushed sales at Epwin 69% higher in the six months to June (and 13% higher compared with the same 2019 period). Encouragingly, the business has continued to invest to capitalise on the fertile conditions across its end markets too.

It completed on a new distribution and warehouse facility in the first half, acquired while it also bought plastic building product specialists PBS and SBS earlier in 2021.

City analysts reckon Epwin’s earnings will soar almost 300% this year and by another 23% in 2022. As a result the ‘nearly’ penny stock (which trades at 111p per share) carries a price-to-earnings growth (PEG) ratio of 0.5 for next year. I think Epwin’s a great buy despite the more immediate threat of rising component prices to its cost base.

Another great way to ride the construction boom

Keeping the building materials theme going, Michelmersh Brick Holdings (LSE: MBH) is a stock I expect to thrive during the housebuilding revolution. I own shares in its brickmaking counterpart Ibstock to make money from this construction boom. And I’m thinking of snapping up this industry giant too at current prices of 130p.

City researchers reckon earnings here will rise an extra 9% in 2022 following the 52% jump anticipated for this year. Consequently, Michelmersh changes hands on an undemanding forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 14.5 times, at current prices. I think this is particularly good value given that, according to fresh trading numbers this week, trading here continues to surpass expectations.

I’m expecting demand for new houses to continue rocketing, thanks to the enduring blend of lower-than-usual interest rates, generous government support for first-time buyers, and intense competition among mortgage lenders. So does the government, which plans to build 300,000 new homes a year by 2025.

I’d buy Michelmersh even though extreme labour shortages could hit housing construction rates and subsequently dampen demand for the company’s bricks.

I think Impact Healthcare is a particularly great buy for obtaining a reliable flow of income from shares. It operates in one of the more defensive areas of the market (as shown by its rent collection rate of 100% during the Covid-19 crisis). What’s more, under real estate investment trust (REIT) rules, the business is obliged to pay out a minimum of nine-tenths of annual profits in dividends. This means for 2021 the firm carries a large 5.8% dividend yield.

It’s important to remember that underfunding of social care by current and future governments could significantly hurt Impact Healthcare’s profits. So could unfavourable immigration policy which would make it harder and more expensive to source labour. Still, in my opinion these threats are baked into this nearly penny stock’s share price today. City analysts think earnings here will rise 22% in 2021. This leaves the UK share trading on a forward price-to-earnings (PEG) ratio of just 0.5. A reading below 1 suggests a stock could be undervalued.

Another nearly penny stock I’d buy

I’m a long-term owner of Ibstock shares. And I have no intention of selling the brickbuilder any time soon. The outlook for housebuilding in the UK remains extremely bright as demand from first-time buyers balloons. The government plans to build 300,000 homes a year by the middle of the decade to meet future demand.

I think former penny stock Michelmersh Brick Holdings (LSE: MBH) is another top UK share to play this theme. Revenues at the business soared almost 33% year-on-year in the six months to June (and around 10% on a two-year basis). It said too, that it is enjoying a “strong” order book thanks to positive order momentum delivered “against the wider backdrop of recovery in the construction sector and demand in our key markets.”

I expect demand for Michelmersh’s bricks in particular to remain high, too. As I said, housebuilding rates are taking off on these shores. And supply chain problems are damaging brick imports from abroad too. There’s always a risk that the UK share’s revenues will drop if broader economic conditions worsen or the Bank of England starts lifting interest rates in 2022. But it’s my opinion that property demand from first-time buyers will remain strong, helped by the mortgage rate wars being fought out among Britain’s lenders, and huge government support via schemes like Help to Buy.

City brokers think earnings at Michelmersh will jump 52% year-on-year in 2021. Consequently this nearly penny stock trades on a forward PEG ratio of just 0.3. At current prices of 140p per share I’m considering adding this cheap UK share to my investment portfolio too.

I buy stocks for the long term, though. And so the prospect of temporary share price choppiness doesn’t put me off from buying low-cost shares. Here are a couple of top nearly penny stocks I think could soar in value in the years ahead.

The right medicine

The Alliance Pharma (LSE: APH) has risen an impressive 50% during the past 12 months. And in recent sessions this former penny stock has barged to record highs above £1. I reckon the business could gain further traction too when half-year results are unveiled on Tuesday, 21 September.

Alliance Pharma owns the marketing rights to scores of heavyweight brands in the fields of consumer healthcare and prescription medicine. These products, like Kelo-Cote scar treatment, Nizoral dandruff shampoo, and (following recent acquisition action) menopause reliever Amberen, sell in huge quantities in more than 100 countries. Indeed, latest financials showed like-for-like sales of its health products up 8% in the six months to June.

Its successful M&A-led growth strategy has helped Alliance Pharma’s earnings rise 33% over the past five years. So I’m encouraged that the stock has plenty of appetite and financial clout to keep going. But acquisitions are risky business and past form is not always a reliable guide to future performance. Revenues from acquisitions can disappoint and costs can swell, taking a big bite out of profits.

A dirt-cheap penny stock I’d buy today

It’s clear that housebuilding activity in the UK needs to ratchet up several gears over the next decade. And this bodes well for manufacturers of building products like Michelmersh Brick Holdings (LSE: MBH). I’ve already bought brickmaker Ibstock for my Stocks and Shares ISA for the very same reason.

I’d buy this nearly penny stock before it releases half-year results on Tuesday, 7 September. Most recent financials in June revealed “strong demand” for its products amid a “very active” construction sector. Many major housebuilders are ramping up production as favourable lending conditions supercharge demand for first-time buyers. So I expect trading at Michelmersh to remain quite robust for some time to come, a theme I don’t think is reflected at current prices. Today the low-cost share trades around 136p, resulting in a forward price-to-earnings growth (PEG) ratio of just 0.5.

I think Michelmersh is a top buy despite the impact that an economic downturn could have on its top line. The UK economy has bounced back strongly following 2020’s Covid-19-related washout. But the rebound could prove temporary and home sales could falter if the Delta variant continues spreading aggressively.

Here are three such low-cost lovelies I’d happily buy myself.

A cheap UK share for tough times

You might not have heard of UP Global Sourcing Holdings (LSE: UPGS). But the odds are pretty high you’ve used one of this company products. This low-cost UK share makes ironing boards, kettles, scales, toasters and other everyday products that can be found around the home.

Its focus on need-to-own goods gives it terrific earnings visibility during economic upturns and downturns. And much-loved brands such as Russell Hobbs and Salter give profits forecasts an extra layer of protection. Although, of course, the company isn’t totally immune to the threat of competition.

At current prices of 214p per share, the small-cap trades on a forward price-to-earnings growth (PEG) ratio of just 0.7. A reading below 1 suggests a UK share could be undervalued by the market.

A top penny stock I’d buy

Record’s (LSE: REC) another cheap UK share that’s high on my watchlist right now. At 84p per share, this penny stock trades on a forward PEG ratio of just 0.3. The currency and derivatives manager has recently slumped in price because investment in its growth strategy has taken a huge bite out of profits.

But there’s a lot to like about this low-cost UK share, in my opinion. Investing in its products and IT systems should pave the way for strong and sustained long-term growth. And right now, assets under management equivalents (AUME) have just struck record highs. City analysts think annual earnings will leap 84% this year alone. I’d buy Record despite the ever-present threat of changing regulations to future profits.

The building products giant

I’m also sorely tempted to splash the cash in Michelmersh Brick Holdings (LSE: MBH) today. As the name suggests, this cheap UK share’s operations centre around making bricks. And it’s doing a roaring trade at the moment, thanks to rocketing demand for newbuild homes in Britain.

What’s more, production at the business has recently outperformed expectations as it’s sought to capitalise on what it calls a “very active” construction market. I expect the homes market to remain strong as low interest rates, government support for first-time buyers, and intense competition among Britain’s lenders should keep the housing market boom going.

Today, Michelmersh trades at 125p per share, leaving a forward PEG ratio of 0.3. I think this makes the brickbuilder a top buy, despite the threat that a fresh economic downturn could pose to building product demand.

Jobs giant

I’d very happily buy PageGroup (LSE: PAGE) shares before its next financials come out on Monday, 14 July. The recruiter’s share price has risen 50% over the past 12 months as signs of recovery in employment markets have improved. Indeed, the UK share soared in value last time it updated the market in April. I’m hopeful of another sunny release next month as industry healing continues.

PageGroup saw gross profits move back into growth in the first quarter, those most recent trading numbers showed. And it enjoyed a record month in some of its European and Asian markets. Research suggests that the upswing in the recruitment sector could continue, too. A survey by Manpower showed that 77% of employers expect hiring to return to pre-coronavirus levels by the end of 2021 amid a pick-up in corporate optimism.

Of course PageGroup could encounter difficulties if it fails to find skilled candidates for positions. This could be even more difficult than usual in a post-pandemic world. As another recruitment colossus, Monster, has commented: “the past year of working virtually and pandemic worries has set off a global trend of job-related anxiety” for workers. It may be difficult to match employees and employers in a landscape of changing employee expectations and needs.

Another top UK share on my radar

I think that buying Michelmersh Brick Holdings (LSE: MBH) might prove a clever idea before Thursday, 3 June when it holds its annual general meeting. I’m expecting its latest financial update to confirm that trading has remained strong thanks to fizzy home construction rates in the UK.

Strong updates from some of its industry rivals make me believe that a bubbly update is coming. In late April, Ibstock (a UK share I already own in my Stocks and Shares ISA) said that it was “trading modestly ahead of expectations” so far in 2021. In particular it described brick demand from the new build housing and repairs, maintenance & improvement (RMI) markets as “robust”. And Forterra announced “better than expected trading” last week, with revenues in the first four months of 2021 coming in at around 95% of those in the corresponding period two years ago.

The Michelmersh share price has trended lower in recent weeks despite this bright industry news. I think this gives investors like me a chance to nip in before the market wises up next week. Any policy changes to schemes like Help to Buy, along with a sharp downturn in economic conditions, could significantly hamper demand for its construction products should homebuyer activity subsequently dip. But I still think this UK share, like Ibstock, is a top buy for my ISA right now.