50% off Premium Yearly

TSE:SHOP
This summary was created by AI, based on 64 opinions in the last 12 months.
Shopify Inc. (SHOP) has received a mixed response from analysts. While many experts praise its business model and growth prospects, especially regarding its adaptability and integration of AI, concerns persist regarding its high valuation and volatility. The stock has been noted for consistently trading at a premium, leading analysts to caution about its price-to-earnings ratios, which often exceed 60x. Moreover, the company's ties to small and medium-sized businesses make it particularly sensitive to economic fluctuations. Despite these warnings, some analysts remain optimistic about its long-term hold potential and view current price levels as attractive entry points for new investors.
Part of that is the size. US investors probably don't know LSPD, whereas they do know SHOP. SHOP is the 800-pound gorilla in Canada and the US for small companies that run their own website, as well as for big companies that run a website and do e-commerce.
LSPD has more of a niche in restaurants. They will be successful over time, but there have been challenges with restaurants. Over time, it should catch up to SHOP as far as percentage return goes.
He targets C$82. Everything is working very well for them. They're the pride and joy of Canadian tech, used in 175 countries by companies of all sizes, used in front- and back-end of business. They divested their fulfillment business to focus on e-commerce as a service. It is volatile, so trim at $80.
He changed his tune on this recently. They made a mistake by getting too deep into fulfillment and logistics. But changes in the board and executive have sharpened their growth and profitability. They sold their logistics business. The street sees SHOP growing earnings 800% YOY given job cuts and closing fulfillment.
(Analysts’ price target is $86.13)Canada does not have nearly the same tech landscape that the US does, and SHOP has been one of Canada's largest tech successes. This provides support at a high level for the company to continue to succeed. Understanding its technology, it is more than just a flash in the pan and has a long tail to it. Ecommerce and Shopify's presence have a 'lindy effect' and this is essentially its staying power. Digital spending is here to stay, and brands need PoS, logistics, inventory management and other systems to manage online sails.
We like Shopify's strong presence across North America, its resiliency across business cycles, and vision from the management team. It is at a high valuation relative to most other companies, but we feel this is justified given its growing market share and technology supporting the company.
There are risks from certain competitors (AMZN, LSPD), but most of these risks fade away over time as investors and businesses realize the impressive technology stack that SHOP has in comparison. We believe it has created a competitive advantage for itself, and there are certain businesses that AMZN has avoided due to SHOP's significant presence in those businesses.
We continue to like the name as part of a Canadian tech success story.
Unlock Premium - Try 5i Free
Trades at almost 140x earnings. On a multiple of revenue, it's trading at 10x. Hard to buy on any fundamental basis, a stock you buy on momentum. Fascinated by the business model. Cult following has driven the high valuation. Doesn't fit with his investment mandate. About 1/3 of the TSX returns YTD are SHOP alone. Volatile.
Another tech giant that is rejuvenating these days is Shopify. It’s a great Canadian success story, but a victim of Covid, when shares peaked at levels 250% higher than today’s $86 shares. SHOP has rallied 83% so far this year and popped 5% to begin this week. It’s been in the penalty box for so long that the street is letting it play again. One popular measure that the company is undergoing is phasing out its fulfillment services to raise profits. E-commerce isn’t dead, as some analysts proclaimed, but taking a breather after years of lockdowns. Gross merchandise volume climbed 15% over the past year, monthly recurring revenue increased 10%, and overall revenue rose 25% to $1.5 billion. Read 3 Big Tech Stocks Making a Comeback for our full analysis.