2020 New Year: A Canada Stock Market Comparison

Ring in the next decade with top Canada technology stocks like Open Text (TSX:OTEX)(NASDAQ:OTEX) for the 2020 New Year.

| More on:

Instead of investing in the overpriced Shopify stock, Canadian stock market investors should purchase shares in Kinaxis (TSX:KXS) and Open Text (TSX:OTEX)(NASDAQ:OTEX) for the 2020 New Year.

Whereas Shopify is expensive and in a low-margin industry, Kinaxis and Open Text boast larger profit margins in a high-growth technology vertical. Because labour is still relatively scarce in cloud technology and data science, fewer companies can compete against each other to build top data analytics software than if there were a higher supply of skilled labour. 

Less competition means higher profit margins for the companies that do take off from conception to reality. Given that Shopify reports a profit margin of negative 8.97%, Open Text and Kinaxis are much better investments. 

Cloud-based enterprise data analytics are taking off with the popularity of machine learning and coding boot camps. Education is increasingly putting out the skilled labour necessary to build the software. At the same time, companies are demanding data analytics software that is easier to learn and use. 

The better 2020 stock market buy 

Open Text reports a higher levered free cash flow (FCF) than Kinaxis. Levered FCF is the earnings remaining for shareholders after the company pays debt financing costs. While Kinaxis reports a levered FCF of $27.5 million, Open Text boasts a levered FCF of $745 million. 

Open Text is overall more profitable on multiple measures than Kinaxis. Overall, Open Text is a more efficient operation than Kinaxis with higher quarterly earnings growth. Since last year, Open Text earnings have grown by 104% — 34.7% more than earnings growth at Kinaxis.  

Open Text is also the more affordable option at $56.91 per share; Kinaxis sells for a much higher $104.24 per share. Going into November, the price on Kinaxis stock surged by over $20 per share, but it isn’t clear if the stock can maintain that market value. 

The stock market responds to government contracts

Kinaxis may be able to hold its valuation for one reason: government contracts. Dependable business relationships give stocks higher market values than what objective financial data would imply. 

Kinaxis software helps enterprises manage global supply chain operations throughout the United States, Europe, Asia, and Canada. In light of the Huawei scandal, supply chain security is becoming more crucial for world governments. Kinaxis is in an excellent position to exploit the Huawei scandal to improve Canada’s net export position.

In particular, Kinaxis works for the aerospace and defence industry, which is willing to spend a lot of money to protect the supply chain from espionage activity. Government contracts mean that Kinaxis can support a higher stock market value than the typical software company. 

Reliable dividends signal great stock market buys

Kinaxis is indeed a crucial asset for the Canadian government and our allies to manage global supply chain threats effectively. Nevertheless, Open Text is less expensive and issues a stable 1.63% dividend to shareholders. Kinaxis could keep surging in the next decade, but Open Text is the better value buy for Canadian investors saving for retirement.

Open Text may not be involved in a niche government vertical like supply chain management in aerospace and defence. Still, it boasts partnerships with many top global technology firms, including Microsoft and Oracle. Moreover,  although the price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio on Kinaxis stock is an expensive 151, the price on Open Text is only 47 times earnings.

Typically, investors consider P/E ratios over 20 to be overpriced, but technology stocks tend to have higher P/E ratios. Every stock has the right investor. Aspiring retirees may prefer a long-term investment in Open Text, while Kinaxis’s expensive valuation may be better suited for big institutions. 

This article represents the opinion of the writer, who may disagree with the “official” recommendation position of a Motley Fool premium service or advisor. We’re Motley! Questioning an investing thesis — even one of our own — helps us all think critically about investing and make decisions that help us become smarter, happier, and richer, so we sometimes publish articles that may not be in line with recommendations, rankings or other content.

Teresa Kersten, an employee of LinkedIn, a Microsoft subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. Fool contributor Debra Ray has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Microsoft. The Motley Fool recommends KINAXIS INC, Open Text, and OPEN TEXT CORP and recommends the following options: long January 2021 $85 calls on Microsoft.

More on Dividend Stocks

Canadian dollars are printed
Dividend Stocks

Beat the TSX With This Cash-Gushing Dividend Stock

Toronto-Dominion Bank (TSX:TD) stock could do well in the year ahead.

Read more »

monthly desk calendar
Dividend Stocks

Monthly Income: Top Dividend Stocks to Buy in November

Here are two of the best monthly dividend stocks in Canada you can buy in November 2024 and hold for…

Read more »

profit rises over time
Dividend Stocks

These 2 Dow Stocks Are Set to Soar in 2025 and Beyond

Two Dow Jones stocks are screaming buys but Canadians must hold them in an RRSP or RRIF to avoid paying…

Read more »

TFSA (Tax free savings account) acronym on wooden cubes on the background of stacks of coins
Dividend Stocks

How to Use Your TFSA to Earn Ultimate Passive Income

If you have a TFSA, then you have the key to creating ultimate passive income. All you need is a…

Read more »

Confused person shrugging
Dividend Stocks

Better Buy: Fortis Stock or Hydro One Stock?

Let's do a compare and contrast of these two top utilities stocks right now, shall we?

Read more »

A close up color image of a small green plant sprouting out of a pile of Canadian dollar coins "loonies."
Dividend Stocks

Boost Your Passive Income: 2 Canadian High-Yielders at a Bargain

Nutrien (TSX:NTR) stock and another play that appear like fantastic dividend bargains in mid-November.

Read more »

3 colorful arrows racing straight up on a black background.
Dividend Stocks

TSX Stocks Soaring Higher With No Signs of Slowing

Three TSX stocks continue to beat the market and could soar higher in an improving investment landscape.

Read more »

Hourglass and stock price chart
Dividend Stocks

Goeasy Stock: Is It Heading for a 52-Week High?

Goeasy stock has been edging higher, especially after another record-setting earnings report. So are 52-week highs in sight?

Read more »