ASX tech shares took a beating in March and many are yet to recover previous highs. This means many ASX tech shares are trading at lower multiples than we’ve seen in some time.

For those with a long-term horizon, market dips are often a good time to add to the portfolio. These 3 ASX tech shares have shown promising form through the pandemic and have the potential to provide long-term rewards. 

Altium Limited (ASX: ALU)

Altium is well-positioned in the current environment, with electronic design anticipated to be relatively resilient to unfolding market conditions. Management remains firmly committed to its aspirational market leadership target of US$200 million revenue in FY20. 

Altium’s model is robust and well-diversified across industry segments and regions worldwide. Marketing and direct selling are conducted via the internet and telephone. The roll-out of new cloud platform Altium 365 is being accelerated as worldwide demand for cloud-based collaborative tools grows rapidly.

Appen Ltd (ASX: APX)

Appen reiterated its full-year guidance for earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) of $125 million to $130 million last month. The company maintains a healthy balance sheet with cash resources in excess of $100 million. Its global crowd workers are ideally situated, working from home as usual. 

Appen has delivered annual compound growth in revenue of 60% over the past 5 years. A pandemic-led increase in the use of search, social media and e-commerce platforms could enhance Appen’s performance, as could the weaker Australian dollar and greater availability of crowd workers.

Arguably the largest global provider of data for machine learning, Appen is strengthening its revenue base by extending the range of customers and expanding into new geographies.

Whispir Ltd (ASX: WSP)

Whispir has shown resilience in the current downturn. A record 49 net new customers were added in the March quarter. This was thanks to increased demand for communications software due to the coronavirus pandemic. Many Whispir customers are utilising the platform to activate and coordinate their COVID-19 business continuity plans. 

Whisper provides a software-as-a-service (SaaS) communications workflow platform that is used by the government for COVID-19 communications. The platform automates interactions between businesses and people, and boasts more than 500 enterprise clients. 

Whispir added 8 international brands as customers during the quarter, demonstrating how the platform can expand into multiple use cases for customers. The company is well funded and on track to achieve its FY20 prospectus forecast of revenue of $37.84 million. Revenues increased by 20% in the most recent half while annualised recurring revenue increased 22% to $36.7 million.

More reading

• Altium share price on watch after warning of tough trading conditions
• In a post-COVID world, could Australia be the next superpower?
• Is the Altium share price a buy?
• 3 ASX growth shares to buy immediately with $3,000
• Fund manager thinks investors should look beyond the worst economic data since the Great Depression

Motley Fool contributor Kate O’Brien owns shares of Altium and Appen Ltd. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of Altium and Appen Ltd. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Whispir Ltd. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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In morning trade the Kogan.com Ltd (ASX: KGN) share price is shooting higher following the release of a business update.

At the time of writing the ecommerce company’s shares are up 5% to $8.80.

How is Kogan performing?

Last month Kogan released an update which revealed strong third quarter sales growth.

This was driven largely by a 50% jump in sales in March following the closure of retail stores nationally. Kogan’s gross profit also grew by over 50% during the month.

Pleasingly, this strong form has continued into April and the company has seen its sales and gross profit growth accelerate.

According to the release, Kogan’s sales grew by more than 100% in April compared to the prior corresponding period.

Things were even better in respect to profits. Its gross profit grew more than 150% and its adjusted EBITDA increased by more than 200% in April. This strong month means that Kogan’s adjusted EBITDA is now up 40% financial year to date compared to the same period in FY 2019.

This was despite the company investing heavily in building its brand and growing its active customers with its largest ever monthly marketing expense in April.

It certainly appears to have paid off. Kogan grew its active customers by 139,000 during the month to 1,948,000 customers.

Long term incentive plan.

In addition to its business update, the company advised that the Remuneration Committee is proposing to introduce a long term incentive (LTI) plan for its executive directors, Ruslan Kogan and David Shafer.

Kogan Chairman Greg Ridder explained: “Ruslan and David are outstanding business leaders. They have been fundamental in building and growing the high performing company we see today, and shareholders have been rewarded with an exceptional return on their investment since IPO.”

“Recent performance of the Company highlights the solid foundations of our business – with strong customer appeal, multiple revenue streams, diverse supply chains, and world-class proprietary systems and processes. The proposed LTI grant (which will be by way of options over ordinary shares) involves at-risk equity with an additional service condition of at least three years.”

“Other than usual annual reviews, no changes to the modest fixed remuneration of Ruslan and David are proposed. The Remuneration Committee has received advice from an independent expert and believe that the proposed option grant will generate long term shareholder value. We believe the grant is in the best interests of all shareholders,” he concluded.

More reading

• 5 top ASX shares to buy and hold for a decade
• Where to invest $20,000 into ASX shares for strong long term returns
• ASX shares and investing trends that could boom post COVID-19
• 3 ASX shares I should have bought last month
• These All Ords shares have just hit 52-week highs or better

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of and has recommended Kogan.com ltd. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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The CSR Limited (ASX: CSR) share price will be in the spotlight today after it posted a big drop in underlying profits.

But the decline is better than what brokers were forecasting and could give the underperforming building supplies group a much-needed boost.

The CSR share price shed more than a quarter of its value since the start of the year when the S&P/ASX 200 Index (Index:^AXJO) lost 18% of its value.

COVID-19 impact on sector

Stocks exposed to housing construction have been doing it tough as the COVID-19 pandemic threatens to bring housing activity to its knees!

CSR’s peers, James Hardie Industries plc (ASX: JHX) and Boral Limited (ASX: BLD), have also been doing it tough. The JHX share price lost 22% and the BLD share price surrendered close to 40% since January.

Shareholders in CSR will be hoping for a bit of respite after management announced a 60.6% jump in full year net profit to $125.3 million.

NPAT beats expectations

This was due to impairment charges it took in the previous financial year, although if you excluded this, underlying net profit “only” declined 25.8% to $134.8 million.

I say “only” because consensus estimates were predicting a more than 30% plunge to around $120 million.

The group’s Building Products revenue fell 6% to $1.6 billion due to weakness in the housing market even before the COVID-19 outbreak, but this is a good number given that residential construction activity was down 21% on average.

Its aluminium business helped offset some of the losses with the division posting a 63% increase in earnings before interest and tax (EBIT). This isn’t unexpected as input costs stabilised in the second half of the year while the lower Australian dollar provided another uplift.

Building on solid ground

Investors will also find it reassuring that management is yet to notice any material impact from the coronavirus on its operations. The first few months of FY21, which started on 1 April, have been pretty steady with sales at its Building Products division dipping 3%.

CSR claims to have a strong balance sheet with net cash of $95 million, but management is taking no chances. It cancelled its final dividend, suspended its on-market share buyback and secured an additional $200 million in debt.

Foolish takeaway

But the group isn’t out of the woods. While the coronavirus hasn’t derailed demand for its products, management believes its only a matter of time before it’s impacted.

The problem is CSR doesn’t know when that might happen or to what extent earnings will suffer.

This is likely to temper broker’s willingness to upgrade their forecasts on the back of the better than expected FY20 profit results.

Shareholders should enjoy any bump in CSR’s share price today as it’s going to be an anxious few months.

More reading

• Is it time to invest in shares or wait on the sidelines?
• In a post-COVID world, could Australia be the next superpower?
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Tuesday
• 3 cheap ASX 200 shares for value investors
• The latest ASX shares to be downgraded by top brokers

Motley Fool contributor Brendon Lau owns shares of James Hardie Industries plc. Connect with him on Twitter @brenlau.

The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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The Altium Limited (ASX: ALU) share price could come under pressure today after it warned that it could fall short of its aspirational goal of US$200 million in revenue in FY 2020.

What did Altium announce?

This morning the electronic design software company advised that it is anticipating some headwinds in May and June as a result of the ongoing restrictions and continued lockdowns associated with COVID-19 in the United States and Western Europe.

Management explained that while Altium is operationally and commercially well positioned, the consequential economic and social impacts of the lockdowns are likely to impact its performance in the final quarter of the financial year.

Altium’s CEO, Aram Mirkazemi, commented: “While engineers are actively doing prototype designs, and the electronics industry is holding up relatively well, the cash preservation priorities of small to medium size businesses are likely to affect the timing of closing sales in our typically strongest months of the year being May and especially June.”

In an effort to drive volume during these challenging market conditions, the company has launched attractive pricing and extended payment terms. It has also accelerated the introduction of its new digital online sales capability, as part of the execution of its man-out-of-the-loop strategy to bolster transactional sales capacity.

Management explained that this digital sales model will take time to ramp up but is expected to be important to support its climb to the 100,000 subscribers target by 2025.

This will be a big increase on the subscribers it expects to report in FY 2020. Altium’s CFO, Joe Bedewi, confirmed that the company remains committed to achieving its 50,000 subscriber target for the full year.

What about the rest of the business?

While Altium is best known for its Altium Designer product, there are a number of businesses that make up the group.

Mr Bedewi provided an update on how they have been performing through the crisis.

He said: “Our NEXUS team is actively closing deals and has a good pipeline for the remainder of Q4. TASKING also has performed well on a year to date basis and is further buoyed by the reopening of car manufacturing production in Europe. Octopart is receiving solid traffic to its website, as engineers search for electronic parts, and, at this point, is holding up its cost-per-click rates with distributors.”

Outlook.

Altium remains well-positioned to navigate this short term headwind. The company is financially very strong and has a current cash balance of more than US$77 million.

Mr Bedewi concluded: “While we may see a positive impact from stimulus packages to be released by governments in key economies, and are excited by the rollout of Altium 365 and our digital online sales platform, our long-term aspirational goal of US$200 million revenue for the full year will require our typically strong months of May and June to be unaffected and have the usual strong finish. At this point, given the economic consequences of the continued restrictions, this is likely to be a low probability.”

More reading

• In a post-COVID world, could Australia be the next superpower?
• Is the Altium share price a buy?
• 3 ASX growth shares to buy immediately with $3,000
• 2 ASX shares that every investor should own
• 3 of the best ASX 200 shares to buy and hold for 10 years

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of Altium. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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Is it time to invest in shares or wait on the sidelines whilst the ASX share market keeps rising?

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has risen by 20% since 23 March 2020 in what has been a surprisingly strong recovery so soon after the initial panic among investors and policymakers.

Investors may be wondering whether this recovery is permanent or just a temporary reprieve as people come to terms with the situation.

Option 1: Time to invest in shares

It could be time to invest in shares because we may not see another drop in the market. A couple of months ago the headlines were about countries closing up. Now the headlines are about restrictions lifting. I think that shift is helping investors see the positive side of things.

Governments and central banks have given enormous support to economies around the world, including here in Australia.

If you believe that Australia is going to have a strong recovery then you may think those financial shares that have been smashed are opportunities. Shares like Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC), National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB) and Challenger Ltd (ASX: CGF) could be beaten-up opportunities at these low prices.

You may feel that discretionary businesses which have seen large sell-offs could be opportunities as well. Shares like Adairs Ltd (ASX: ADH), Nick Scali Limited (ASX: NCK) and Harvey Norman Holdings Limited (ASX: HVN) may be candidates for a strong recovery once all their stores open up.

I can’t say that banks or Harvey Norman are particularly attractive to me. I think they face long-term challenges. If you’re willing to take on higher risk and you think it’s time to invest in shares then it could be stocks like Webjet Limited (ASX: WEB), Challenger and Charter Hall Long WALE REIT (ASX: CLW) that could be some of the better performers if we’ve already seen the worst of things.

Option 2: Wait on the sidelines

You may be thinking that the share market is being too positive about the situation. What happens if there’s a second wave of coronavirus infections? Do today’s share prices reflect the reasonable possibility that the economy isn’t going to recover in a V-shape?

There is a lot of government support out there. But plenty of those same officials are saying that in some ways this could be as bad as the GFC. That doesn’t mean share prices will also be as bad, but I think when businesses start telling us the true damage of the current ongoing climate we may some share prices drop back.

I’m not trying to guess how much the share market is going to fall. It would be silly to focus on GDP numbers too. Unemployment is a difficult one to correctly forecast as well. All we can do is look at the share prices of our investment targets. There are still a few shares I’d happily invest in at their current prices during the current conditions, but the list is shortening as the market goes up and up.

I’m still sticking to my regular monthly investing, choosing shares like Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Co. Ltd (ASX: SOL) and Magellan Global Trust (ASX: MGG) which are trading attractively cheaper than their pre-coronavirus prices.

But if I had $100,000 to invest in a lump sum I wouldn’t choose today to do it.     

Foolish takeaway

Some people may think it’s time to invest in shares. That’s why the share market keeps rising. But I think it’s far too early to call it ‘over’. I’m still regularly investing and confident about the long-term. But for the rest of 2020 I wouldn’t bet against another fall, which is why I’m keeping some cash ready for that possibility.

More reading

• In a post-COVID world, could Australia be the next superpower?
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Tuesday
• Top ASX Dividend Stock Picks for May 2020
• 3 cheap ASX 200 shares for value investors
• The latest ASX shares to be downgraded by top brokers

Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison owns shares of MAGLOBTRST UNITS and Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of and has recommended Challenger Limited, Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited, and Webjet Ltd. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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As coronavirus shutdowns ease, the S&P/ASX 100 Index (XTO) is trading in a range between about 4,300 and 4,540 points. Investors think we’re at the start of the recovery, but there are still many risks ahead.

Social distancing will be in place for a while. This is going to have an impact on hospitality, discretionary retail, shopping centres and entertainment stocks. The issue is whether coronavirus impacts are fully priced into the bourse. Few companies have given guidance so far, so questions remain about whether share prices really reflect how results will play out this earnings season.

The relative strength index (RSI) indicates the ASX 100 swung from overbought to over-sold during February. It then reverted to the mean, where it’s been since early April, suggesting fair value is around 4,500 points. But analysts are much more bearish. In a note to clients, Elliot Management’s Paul Singer speculated the value of the ASX 100 could still halve, which indicates the bottom may actually be around 2,967 points.

Longer term, Australia is in a good place relative to many countries, in terms of the way we’re weathering the COVID-19 crisis. There may be an opportunity for Australia to assume a leadership position in the new global order by hunkering down and re-starting tech-led manufacturing. 

Looking towards earnings season

Some analysts say the market has become much more rational after panic selling in the first month of the crisis. Even though volatility has reduced, there are still clear winners and losers in the current climate.

Financials, resources and health care make up almost 60% of the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) and the market’s direction is largely determined by the vagaries of these sectors. The issue is whether the value of stocks in these industries already account for risks, such as low interest rates and bad debts (notwithstanding the pandemic is largely good news for health stocks). Resources businesses have long-term contracts in place. So any disruption to Australia’s relationship with China, which relies on our iron ore in particular, won’t affect miners in the immediate term.

Alex Jamieson from AJ Financial Planning says the market should head higher at the back end of this year:

“We have an 18-month price target of 6,000 on the ASX 200. But, as with any recovery, there will be pullbacks along the way. It wouldn’t trouble us if the ASX 200 did touch 4,900 points. It’s a normal part of the market process.”

This dip would also be a buying opportunity.

Other commentators note the ASX could perform better than overseas markets, especially the US.

“I’m very bearish on the US economy and relatively bullish on the Australian economy,” says Rivkin Securities’ Shannon Rivkin. Rivkin is avoiding local tourism companies that rely on international travel and companies exposed to the US economy.

“The government has likely prevented a longer shutdown and greater economic pain through its health policies and stimulus. But we’re avoiding banks and property stocks simply because the downside is high if things remain depressed,” says Rivkin.

“REA Group and Carsales have low gearing and can withstand the pain for a while. We’re also [targeting] names exposed to recurring revenues that haven’t seen customers desert them,” he adds.

He says artificial intelligence leader Appen Ltd (ASX: APX), investment platforms Hub24 Ltd (ASX: HUB) and Netwealth Group Ltd (ASX: NWL) and enterprise software firms as TechnologyOne Ltd (ASX: TNE) are in this category.

He’s looking for well-priced opportunities and targeting companies that have had painful revenue hits but are likely to return to normal relatively quickly. They also need balance sheet strength to survive. Crown Resorts Ltd (ASX: CWN), Ramsay Health Care Limited (ASX: RHC) and Transurban Group (ASX: TCL) are in his sights.

Raising the bar

Across the stock exchange, companies have taken the opportunity to raise capital to ensure they have the balance sheet strength. PAC Capital’s Clayton Larcombe says these are good opportunities for investors, but he emphasises the importance of choosing wisely.

“We used the NAB capital raise to increase weighting to banks. But we’ve moved away from property as we anticipate upcoming headwinds, with the exception of storage and warehousing assets which are likely to be in demand. We see strong upside to REITs with these investments in their portfolios,” says Larcombe

Larcombe has also just bought into National Storage REIT (ASX: NSR)’s capital raise because it offers exposure to sub sectors like self-storage for residential and commercial customers. This service will be in demand as businesses close or store stock while shut, and people move out of rental properties.

“The market clearly agrees. The book was filled in hours and I expect strong upside. But we’ve sold Lendlease shares. It’s a great company with quality assets. But there’s value elsewhere,” says Larcombe.

Messy earnings season

​Earnings season is going to be a disaster for many businesses, especially those in retail, most commercial property firms and hospitality and entertainment outfits. We’ve already seen the bank bloodbath, with dividends slashed or completely annihilated.

But it’s not all bad news. Expect earnings to hold up for tech companies like data centre and cloud storage group NextDC Ltd (ASX: NXT) and Goodman Group (ASX: GMG), which has warehousing and logistics clients such as Amazon, resilient earnings and a growth outlook. 

“In resources, Rio Tinto, BHP Billiton, OZ Minerals and Independence Group will do ok. Consumer staples like Woolworths, consumer discretionary like JB Hi-Fi and health care stocks like CSL and ResMed will also hold up. Telecommunications services firms like Telstra, commercial and professional services like Brambles and software and services companies like Altium are likely to have ok earnings,” says Ausbil Investment Management’s Paul Xiradis.

Ready for a rebound

Turning to the outlook for the rest of the year, Xiradis has his bet on a U-shaped recovery: “[b]ut what this looks like across the equity market differs by sector and company. Balance sheet strength trumps everything.”

Like Rivkin, Xiradis is looking for quality companies whose earnings have come undone from COVID-19 restrictions but that are due for a recovery. He also likes Ramsay Health Care and Transurban, in addition to Sonic Healthcare Limited (ASX: SHL), SEEK Limited (ASX: SEK), Afterpay Ltd (ASX: APT) and Qantas Airways Limited (ASX: QAN).

“We expect to see V-shaped rebounds in their earnings as customers return with gusto as lockdowns are eased. Lendlease, export and building products steel producer BlueScope Steel and natural gas company Santos, which has been temporarily impacted by the fall in oil prices, are worth considering,” says Xiradis.

Repositioning the nation

Looking long-term, the pandemic has given the world a massive shake-down, which could see a new world order emerge. Australia’s response to the virus has been among the best in the world, which could see us move up the world order. But commentators stop short of suggesting we could enter superpower ranks.

Australia makes up between 1% and 2% of the global market and less than 1% of the global population. So it’s unlikely we’ll ever become a superpower in the traditional sense, but segments of our technology sector will continue to do well, led by success stories such as Altium Limited (ASX: ALU). 

“These businesses will continue to disrupt. But the local tech sector is unlikely to rival Silicon Valley or China’s equivalent Shenzhen in size or scale,” says Jamieson. Healthcare market darlings like CSL Limited (ASX: CSL), ResMed Inc (ASX: RMD) and Cochlear Limited (ASX: COH)will also continue to do well.  

“Our country will display pockets of brilliance in a few listed companies, similar to any high education, small population nation,” Jamieson argues.

Larcombe notes a superpower is defined as having the capacity to project power and influence anywhere in the world through economic, military and cultural means. He adds:

“We can’t compete with the US or China. But we can cultivate strategic industries to build our influence. IT and advanced manufacturing could be big winners for Australia.” 

He cites CSIRO’s view that over the next 20 years Australia’s manufacturing industry should evolve into a highly integrated, export-focused ecosystem. “In this space we like Appen. We see favourable prospects for Weebit Nano, a leader in next gen computer memory technology.”

The proposed Central Station Tech Hub, Sydney’s version of Silicon Valley, will underpin a shifting policy focus towards the tech sector. Says Larcombe:

“A stronger tech sector is strategically vital in projecting military might. Warfare will increasingly be played out online and protection from foreign cyber interference will play a key part in national defence strategies.”

A local name in the space is Senetas Corporation Limited (ASX: SEN), which provides encryption technology. Icetana Limited (ASX: ICE), which uses machine learning to deliver analytics solutions for large scale surveillance networks, should also benefit in this environment.

So while Australia may not be the next US or China, there’s plenty of potential for lesser-known and well known listed businesses to generate returns as the world navigates through the pandemic and beyond.

More reading

• Is it time to invest in shares or wait on the sidelines?
• The Afterpay share price just hit a record high: Is it still a buy?
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Tuesday
• 3 cheap ASX 200 shares for value investors
• The latest ASX shares to be downgraded by top brokers

Motley Fool contributor Alexandra Cain owns shares of Woolworths Group Ltd, BHP Group Ltd and National Australia Bank. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns shares of Cochlear Ltd., CSL Ltd., Hub24 Ltd, and Netwealth. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of AFTERPAY T FPO, Altium, Appen Ltd, and Transurban Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Cochlear Ltd., Hub24 Ltd, Ramsay Health Care Limited, ResMed Inc., SEEK Limited, and Sonic Healthcare Limited. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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