3 reasons the Openpay share price is better than Afterpay

Is the Openpay Group Ltd (ASX: OPY) share price better value than Afterpay Ltd (ASX: APT) despite rocketing higher this year?

| More on:
the words buy now pay later on digital screen, afterpay share price

Image Source: Getty Images

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

The Openpay Group Ltd (ASX: OPY) share price plunged 11.4% lower in Wednesday's trade. That's a big drop for an ASX share that surged 35% higher on Monday and a further 10.3% on Tuesday.

So, despite all the craziness in the market right now, here are 3 factors that are good for the Openpay share price.

1. There's strong momentum behind buy now, pay later shares

It's not just the Openpay share price rocketing higher right now. The Afterpay Ltd (ASX: APT) share price has slumped 5.5% this week but is still up 132% for the year.

It's been a similar story for fellow BNPL rival Zip Co Ltd (ASX: Z1P). The Zip Co share price has fallen 16.2% from its record high at the start of the week but is still up 85.6% in 2020.

Clearly, investors have been piling into the Aussie BNPL shares lately. I think that means there could be a strong momentum factor at play right now. Given this week's downwards moves for its rivals, that could be good news for the Openpay share price.

2. Afterpay's share price multiples are astronomical

While Afterpay remains the largest ASX BNPL company by market capitalisation, it's also very expensive.

It's important to note that Afterpay hasn't actually turned a profit. That means investors are speculating on future growth rather than relying on current dividends.

As a result, it's better to use a price to sales (P/S) ratio to evaluate the Afterpay share price. Yahoo Finance has Afterpay trading at a P/S ratio of 57.1 right now compared to 25.2 for Openpay.

According to a recent article in the AFR, Afterpay's P/S ratio is even higher than other global tech stocks like NetflixTelsaUberSpotify, and Snapchat

3. The Openpay share price is underpinned by strong growth

Clearly investors have been keen to snap up BNPL shares this year. However, Openpay has continued to thrive despite the coronavirus pandemic hitting the economy hard.

The Openpay share price surged in early trade yesterday before plummeting 11.4% lower at $3.88 per share. That's despite a quarterly business update headlined by record growth in a number of headline growth metrics. 

Some of the key numbers from the update are listed below:

  • Active plan numbers up 229% relative to prior corresponding period (pcp)
  • Active customer numbers up 141% relative to pcp
  • Active merchants up 52% relative to pcp
  • Total transaction value up 98.2% to $192.8 million for FY20
  • Net bad debts down to 2.9% compared to 4.7% in Q3 FY20
  • Cash on hand of $70.1 million as at quarter-end

Will I be buying Openpay shares?

These are just a few reasons why the Openpay share price could be a better relative buy compared to Afterpay right now.

Investors are starting to call BNPL shares a 'bubble'. I agree that there are plenty of reasons to be wary of investing in the industry right now.

The reaction to yesterday's record growth numbers gives an indication of just how much is expected from the BNPL shares. I personally want to see more positive cash flow before buying in in the current market.

Ken Hall has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns shares of ZIPCOLTD FPO. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of AFTERPAY T FPO. 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.

More on Share Gainers

A businessman looking at his digital tablet or strategy planning in hotel conference lobby. He is happy at achieving financial goals.
Share Gainers

Why Catapult, De Grey Mining, Domino's, and Nufarm shares are charging higher

These shares are ending the week strongly. But why?

Read more »

A bearded man holds both arms up diagonally and points with his index fingers to the sky with a thrilled look on his face over these rising Tassal share price
Share Gainers

How these 3 ASX 200 stocks smashed the benchmark this week

Investors sent these ASX 200 stocks flying higher over the week. But why?

Read more »

asx share price boosted by us investment represented by hand waving US flag across winning athlete
Best Shares

Here are the best-performing ASX 200 shares since the US election result

We reveal the 10 ASX stocks that have had the highest share price gains since the US Presidential election.

Read more »

a man sits back from his laptop computer with both hands behind his head feeling happy to see the Brambles share price moving significantly higher today
Industrials Shares

Up 39% in a year, is there more growth to come for this ASX 200 share?

IML Equity Analyst Josh Freiman shares his views on a major ASX 200 industrial stock.

Read more »

A young women pumps her fists in excitement after seeing some good news on her laptop.
Share Gainers

Why Catapult, Flight Centre, Nufarm, and Xero shares are storming higher today

These shares are having a strong session on Thursday. But why? Let's find out.

Read more »

drug capsule opening up to reveal dollar signs signifying rising asx share price
Healthcare Shares

3 ASX healthcare shares going gangbusters on Thursday

Investors are sending these ASX healthcare stocks soaring today. But why?

Read more »

A young man talks tech on his phone while looking at a laptop. A financial graph is superimposed across the image.
Share Gainers

Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today

The ASX 200 made it three-for-three losses in a row this Wednesday.

Read more »

A young woman wearing overalls and a yellow t-shirt kicks one leg in the air showing excitement over the latest ASX 200 shares to hit 52-week highs
Share Gainers

Why Brickworks, James Hardie, Megaport, and OFX shares are charging higher today

These shares are having a good time on hump day. But why?

Read more »