
TSE:SHOP
We still like SHOP and suggest it as a long term growth pick. There is no specific news today, but last week Tik Tok came out with an app that may allow merchants to be less reliant on existing e-commerce players. Last week Ark Funds also announced it had sold some of its SHOP positions. Profit taking could also be at play, the stock is still up 72% YTD. Tech in general has also been weak of late.
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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.
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All tech has enjoyed a monster bounce this year, including SHOP. Canadian tech stocks don't go from strength to strength and have a life cycle instead, given catch-up in technology and depth of management. He's never owned this, not a fan of Canadian tech stocks.