Constellation Software (TSX:CSU) Has Unlocked a New Way to Grow!

Constellation Software (TSX:CSU) stock is probably the most underrated tech company in North America.

| More on:

Constellation Software (TSX:CSU) stock is probably the most underrated tech company in North America. While the tech sector dives into glitzy business models and loss-making operations, this sober Canadian giant has been consistently generating profits for decades. This week, the team unlocked a brand-new avenue of growth. 

If you’re a shareholder or a potential investor in Constellation Software stock, here’s what you need to know. 

Mark Leonard’s strategy

Mark Leonard launched Constellation Software in the 1990s after a successful career as a venture capitalist. His intention was to create a holding company that acquires small- and mid-sized software firms focused on niche enterprise solutions. Over roughly three decades, the holding firm has acquired over 300 firms. 

The strategy’s success has been reflected in Constellation Software stock, which is up a whopping 8,965% since listing in 2006. That is a compound annual growth rate of roughly 35%. That should cement Mark Leonard’s reputation as one of the best capital allocators in the world. 

Updated strategy

In a letter sent out to shareholders yesterday, Leonard claimed the team was making three important changes to the strategy that should unlock more value for shareholders. 

The first important step is the suspension of the special dividend the company pays. Constellation Software stock currently offers a paltry 0.31% dividend yield, which is a combination of quarterly and occasional payouts. Management wants to stop special dividends to reserve more of its free cash flow for acquisitions. 

The team also wants to raise the size of targets they focus on. This means we could see hundred-million-dollar software deals soon. 

However, the biggest change was the team’s intention of developing “a circle of investing competence outside of the VMS sphere.”  In other words, the team is vastly expanding its investment universe, which opens up an unlimited avenue of potential growth. 

Constellation Software’s stock valuation

For a growth stock, Constellation is valued pretty reasonably. It’s currently trading at 33.2 times forward earnings per share. The stock is also trading at just 29.6 times free cash flow per share. Compare that to other tech growth stocks that are trading at 60 times sales and you can see why Constellation is so attractive. 

The fact that the team is cutting its dividend, targeting bigger deals, and expanding the investment universe enhances the growth story. If the team can execute this shift in strategy effectively, shareholders could be in for a massive windfall in a few years. 

Investors haven’t priced in this new growth story yet. The stock is up a mere 2.8% today. That presents an opportunity for savvy investors. If you’re a growth investor, I encourage you to take a closer look. 

Bottom line

Constellation Software has always been an excellent growth stock to own. Its strategy of acquiring small- and mid-sized software firms has created immense wealth for shareholders. Now, the company is targeting bigger companies beyond software.  This shift could potentially be a gamechanger. Add this to your watch list.

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.

Fool contributor Vishesh Raisinghani has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Constellation Software.

More on Tech Stocks

GettyImages-1352607170 (1)
Tech Stocks

Why Shopify Stock Is Skyrocketing Today

Shopify published its Q3 report this morning, and it gave investors plenty to be excited about.

Read more »

young people stare at smartphones
Tech Stocks

Here Are My Top 3 Tech Stocks to Buy Now

Given their strong performances and healthy growth prospects, I expect these three tech stocks to deliver superior returns over the…

Read more »

artificial intelligence AI data deep processing
Tech Stocks

Top 3 Canadian AI Stocks to Watch This Year

When there is as much hype about a specific type of stock (like AI stocks), it's a good idea to…

Read more »

ETF stands for Exchange Traded Fund
Tech Stocks

The Best Tech ETF to Invest $1,000 in Right Now

An ETF can be a solid option for any type of investing. But with tech stocks having a lot of…

Read more »

how to save money
Tech Stocks

Should You Buy Shopify Stock Hand Over Fist Before November 12?

Here are the top reasons why you may want to consider buying Shopify stock before its upcoming earnings event.

Read more »

stocks climbing green bull market
Tech Stocks

Why Propel Stock Keeps Going Up

Propel stock has seen a fivefold increase in its market cap in the last year! But even more is set…

Read more »

a-developer-typing-lines-of-ai-code-while-viewing-multiple-computer-monitors
Tech Stocks

Could Constellation Software Become the Next Berkshire Hathaway?

Constellation Software's (TSX:CSU) capital-allocation strategy is similar to that of Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE:BRK.B).

Read more »

cloud computing
Tech Stocks

3 No-Brainer Tech Stocks to Buy With $1,000 Right Now

These three Canadian tech stocks could be among the best growth opportunities in the market right now.

Read more »