Down 75% in 7 years, is this ASX tech share 'hitting its stride' a bargain buy?

This tech share is up by almost 40% in six months.

| More on:
Three male athletes sprint on an athletics track with the sun low on the horizon behind them representing the race between ASX lithium shares to outperform

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

ASX tech share Catapult Group International Ltd (ASX: CAT) is in the green on Friday, up 0.49% to $1.02.

This caps off a solid six months of trading, during which time Catapult shares have risen by 38.5%.

This is why Julia Weng of Paradice Investment Management says Catapult is "hitting its stride" right now.

Are things about to change for this ASX tech share?

Catapult provides wearables and video analysis to almost 4,000 elite sports teams globally.

The technology provides movement metrics and on-field positioning to help teams improve their playing performance, strategy, and tactics.

The recent improvement in the Catapult share price follows a hard seven-year slog for investors.

Back in August 2016, Catapult was trading above $4.

So, it's still down by almost 75% over this time frame.

Why is the Catapult share price rising now?

Well, Weng says some fundamental shifts have occurred in the business.

Weng says (courtesy Australian Financial Review (AFR)):

Catapult Group has been around for a while but is now hitting its stride.

Chief executive Will Lopes is ex Amazon and has pivoted the business from hardware offerings to a software annuity, with 90 per cent of the revenue now subscription based.

The management team has made it a conscious priority to slow sales and marketing and R&D after a period of accelerated growth to achieve scale and adoption.

In turn, we have seen sequential improvement in cash flow over the last two halves.

The portfolio manager adds that the performance of the ASX tech share "has been disappointing".

However, that new cash flow funnelling through and some top-line growth should boost the stock.

She says:

Free cash flow should drive the share price from here along with top-line growth at 20 per cent.

Broker tips 17% growth in FY24

Broker Bell Potter has a speculative buy rating on Catapult shares and a 12-month price target of $1.20.

This implies a potential 17.6% upside from where the ASX tech share is today.

The broker commented:

Importantly the company has just turned EBITDA positive and said it will be free cash flow positive in FY24 (thus reducing or eliminating the need for an equity raise).

We expect continued strong revenue growth in the core Wearables business in FY24 and also expect growth in the previously lagging Video business to significantly improve this year.

This suggests or implies a return to double digit revenue growth in FY24 and with a relatively stable fixed cost base, a reasonable portion of the additional revenue is expected to fall through to earnings.

Catapult released its annual report three weeks ago.

Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Catapult Group International. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Catapult Group International. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

More on Technology Shares

group of traders cheering at stock market
Technology Shares

Codan shares near an all time high. Can they go higher?

Is there more room for growth for this ASX 200 company? 

Read more »

Kid putting a coin in a piggy bank.
Technology Shares

Why I think this ASX small-cap stock is a bargain at $4.41

This tech business has a lot going for it.

Read more »

The last piece of the jigsaw being fitted, indicating good news for a share price on merger or acquisition
Mergers & Acquisitions

WiseTech share price storms higher on $3.25b blockbuster acquisition

What is the company spending billions on? Let's find out.

Read more »

A businessman stacks building blocks.
Technology Shares

6% gain! What's up with Block shares today?

Block shares are up more than 34% since 2 May.

Read more »

Happy work colleagues give each other a fist pump.
Technology Shares

Guess which ASX 200 technology stock has outperformed Nvidia over the past 5 years?

This company has been nothing short of impressive.

Read more »

Buy, hold, and sell ratings written on signs on a wooden pole.
Technology Shares

After surging 13% yesterday, are TechnologyOne shares a buy, hold or sell according to Macquarie?

Valuations matter when investing, and Macquarie feels no different.

Read more »

Two smiling work colleagues discuss an investment or business plan at their office.
Technology Shares

Why Goldman Sachs rates this ASX tech share as a top buy

Let's see why the broker rates this stock highly right now.

Read more »

A woman sits at her computer with her hand to her mouth and a contemplative smile on her face as she reads about the performance of Allkem shares on her computer
Technology Shares

WiseTech shares have surged 34% since April. Is it too late to buy?

Can WiseTech shares keep charging higher? Here’s what this investing expert expects.

Read more »