Is it Time to Buy e-Commerce Stocks?

E-commerce plays like Shopify stock are out of favour, but could be set for a breakout.

| More on:
A shopper makes purchases from an online store.

Image source: Getty Images

E-commerce stocks are massively out of favour this year. Pick any e-commerce name you like, Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN), Shopify (TSX:SHOP)(NYSE:SHOP), Alibaba (NYSE:BABA), or any other, they’re all hurting.

In a few cases, the sell-offs were justified. Shopify was unbelievably expensive at the start of the year, trading at over 50 times sales, while Amazon’s core retail business lost money last quarter. But as Alibaba’s most recent earnings release showed, it’s still possible for e-commerce companies to generate large amounts of cash flow. In this article, I will explore the possibility of e-commerce stocks rebounding next year. Ultimately, some of them are bound to do so.

Why e-Commerce stocks could be set for a turnaround

One reason why e-commerce stocks could be set for a turnaround is because they’re so out of favour now. People got really antsy about the fact that Amazon and Shopify weren’t super profitable in their most recent quarters. Amazon’s retail business lost money last quarter, while Shopify’s entire business lost money. However, you need to remember that companies’ earnings sometimes include things that aren’t expected to recur indefinitely. Amazon spent a lot of money on fulfillment centres last quarter, while Shopify owned a stock portfolio that performed poorly. Eventually, Amazon will absorb the costs of building its fulfillment centre, and Shopify’s stock portfolio might turn around. When/if these developments materialize, then Amazon retail and Shopify will start posting positive earnings again.

Some good picks to consider

If you’re looking for good e-commerce plays to buy right now, you have a lot of options. Shopify stock is still pretty expensive but it has decent growth – growth actually sped up last quarter. Amazon is a capital-intensive business, meaning it spends a lot of money, but that can pay off over the long run.

The main e-commerce stock I’m holding at the moment is Alibaba. It’s a Chinese e-commerce stock that is truly dirt cheap. At today’s prices, it trades at just 12.2 times adjusted earnings, 2 times sales, and 11 times operating cash flow. By the standards of big tech stocks, this is about as cheap as it gets. Alibaba trades at a much cheaper valuation than Amazon does, yet its profits are more consistent and it has high cash flows.

Be aware, though, that Alibaba is subject to political risk. The company is based in China, a country whose relations with the U.S. and Canada are icy, and it is sometimes caught up in political scandals. In 2021, it was forced to pay a $2.8 billion fine when it ran afoul of China’s anti-trust (i.e., anti-monopoly) laws. Keep these risks in mind before you invest in Alibaba because people tend to get worried about these quagmires and that leads to stock price volatility.

Foolish takeaway

Is e-commerce set to come back to life in 2023? It’s hard to say overall. Most likely, some e-commerce companies will do well, and others will do poorly. If you invest in e-commerce companies that are consistently profitable and not too expensive, you’ll probably do well.

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.

John Mackey, CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. Fool contributor Andrew Button has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Shopify. The Motley Fool recommends Amazon.com. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

More on Tech Stocks

A plant grows from coins.
Tech Stocks

3 Growth Stocks Wall Street Might Be Sleeping on, But I’m Not

Don’t miss your chance to load up on these three beaten-down stocks.

Read more »

think thought consider
Tech Stocks

Is CGI Stock a Buy Even With No Dividend Yield?

CGI stock may not have a dividend to speak of. But does that necessarily mean you should ignore this top…

Read more »

A robotic hand interacting with a visual AI touchscreen display.
Tech Stocks

Why Now Is the Time to Invest in Canadian AI Stocks

Are you looking for one of the most solid Canadian AI stocks out there? This one is probably your best…

Read more »

The letters AI glowing on a circuit board processor.
Tech Stocks

Why AI Stocks Should Be in Every Canadian Investor’s Portfolio

AI stocks continue to be one of the best options out there for long-term investing, especially when considering Canadian options.

Read more »

money goes up and down in balance
Tech Stocks

1 “Magnificent 7” Stock I’d Buy Over Nvidia Right Now

Here's why Meta Platforms stock is a better choice for Canadian investors compared to Nvidia in November 2024.

Read more »

A data center engineer works on a laptop at a server farm.
Tech Stocks

3 No-Brainer Data Centre Stocks to Buy With $500 Right Now

Data centres are going to be a huge growth opportunity in the next decade. And these are the top buys.

Read more »

The virtual button with the letters AI in a circle hovering above a keyboard, about to be clicked by a cursor.
Tech Stocks

Is OpenText Stock a Buy, Sell, or Hold for 2025?

OpenText stock has fallen in the last few years, but that could mean this top tech stock remains an undervalued…

Read more »

AI microchip
Tech Stocks

Celestica Stock: Buy, Sell, or Hold?

Celestica's stock price has rallied 950% in the last five years. Will the AI boom send it even higher in…

Read more »