2 quality SaaS ASX shares to buy

The 2 SaaS ASX shares in this article are quality ideas and could be worth buying including ELMO Software Ltd (ASX:ELO).

| More on:
person touching digital screen featuring array of icons and the word saas

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

There are a number of software as a service (SaaS) ASX shares that could be worth considering as quality additions to a portfolio.

Businesses that provide software as a service to clients can usually rely on attractive, regular cashflow and high gross margins because of the software nature of the service.

These two companies could be ones to think about:

Class Ltd (ASX: CL1)

Class describes itself as the leading cloud-based SMSF administration software. It also has other services including Class Portfolio which can be used for investment portfolio accounting, administration and reporting. It also offers Class Trust, which is a service for accountants to automate significant parts of the trust administration process.

The company has also made acquisitions to provide different services including ReckonDocs, NowInfinity and Smartcorp. Management are pleased with the ReckonDocs acquisition because it provides Class with another high margin and customer acquisition business to further scale and grow revenues.

The SaaS ASX share recently announced its FY21 half-year result which revealed that revenue was up 27% to $25.9 million, earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) grew by 29% to $10.4 million and the EBITDA margin was maintained at around 40%.

Class' customer base increased by 183% to 4,456. The Class board decided to declare an interim dividend of 2.5 cents per share.  

The company also announced that one of its main clients, Findex, had signed up to use the NowInfinity documentation suite for its national accounting network. Findex uses Class' SMSF, portfolio, NowInfinity trust register and corporate compliance software. It's also the cornerstone pilot for Class Trust. Class said that Findex is an example of how the Class multi-product offerings are resonating with customers.

Broker Ord Minnett liked the ReckonDocs acquisition and the positive sign of Findex signing up to so many products.

The broker pointed out that Class only has a market share of around 10%, meaning it has a lot of potential growth. It also likes that Class has a very high client retention rate.

It has a share price target of $2.40 for Class.

ELMO Software Ltd (ASX: ELO)

ELMO is a cloud-based human resources and expense management provider. The company offers a combined platform of its different products to help organisations with their people, processes and pay. The ASX share operates on a SaaS model, receiving recurring revenue.

It recently announced its FY21 half-year result which showed that revenue was up 29.3% to $30.6 million, which was helped by annualised recurring revenue (ARR) rising by 42.8% to $74.2 million. Cash receipts for the period were up 25.5% to $34.4 million.

It made an EBITDA loss of $0.8 million, which was an improvement of $1.8 million compared to the prior corresponding period.

ELMO's customer base continues to grow. Its mid-market customers total rose 95.7% to 2,892, whilst it finished the half with 7,146 Breathe small business customers. The mid-market gross profit margin increased to 88.5%, up from 84.6%. New customers purchased an average of four models.

Breathe is a business that it acquired in the UK to expand its growth potential in that market. Management believe that this acquisition places the company as the leading provider of HR solutions to small businesses in the region. It also acquired Webexpenses in the UK, which has a mid-market customer base. ELMO believes the small business market segment is a $2.2 billion opportunity.

The SaaS ASX share may be on the hunt for more acquisitions because it says it "remains well capitalised to fund growth initiatives."

In FY21 it's expecting ARR to finish between $81.5 million to $88.5 million. ELMO is expecting to generate $65 million to $71 million of revenue for the year, whilst an EBITDA loss of $2.4 million to $7.4 million is expected in FY21.

Tristan Harrison has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns shares of and recommends Elmo Software. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of Class Limited. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Elmo Software. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson.

More on Technology Shares

A man holds his head in his hands, despairing at the bad result he's reading on his computer.
Technology Shares

Why is this ASX fintech stock suddenly crashing 22%?

This stock is having a very bad start to the week. What's going on?

Read more »

Three businesspeople leap high with the CBD in the background.
Technology Shares

Guess which ASX All Ords stock is leaping 12% today

Why is this stock having a strong start to the week? Let's find out.

Read more »

A young man working from home sits at his home office desk holding a cup of tea and looking out the window
Technology Shares

Pro Medicus shares higher on $30m contract win

Good news is lifting this high-flying stock on Monday. Let's dig deeper into it.

Read more »

Robot humanoid using artificial intelligence on a laptop.
Technology Shares

The best ASX AI stock to invest $500 in right now

The team at Morgans thinks this is one of the best ways to invest in AI on the ASX.

Read more »

A young man clasps his hand to his head with his eyes closed and a pained expression on his face as he clasps a laptop computer in front of him, seemingly learning of bad news or a poor investment.
Technology Shares

This ASX All Ords stock just crashed 25%! Here's why

Let's find out what is making investors rush to the exits on Thursday.

Read more »

Businessman working and using Digital Tablet new business project finance investment at coffee cafe.
Technology Shares

What's going on with Xero shares today?

The tech stock has made an announcement this morning relating to its CEO.

Read more »

Three analysts look at tech options on a wall screen
Technology Shares

Why did this small-cap ASX tech stock just explode 39%?

Investors are piling into the ASX tech stock on Wednesday. But why?

Read more »

A woman wearing yellow smiles and drinks coffee while on laptop.
Technology Shares

Investors should put these 2 top ASX tech shares on the watchlist

These tech companies have enormous potential, in my view.

Read more »