Top broker recommends buying this beaten down tech stock now

Today might be an inauspicious start for the S&P/ASX All Technology Index but this could present a buying opportunity. Here's one tech stock with a 60% upside.

| More on:
a woman

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

Talk about throwing the baby out with the bathwater! The technology sector has been doing it tough as many of these market darlings have been in freefall during this profit reporting season.

This is an inauspicious start for the S&P/ASX All Technology Index (XTX), which the ASX Ltd (ASX: ASX) brand-new mini-NASDAQ index offering.

Perhaps the sell-off is justified given that several have failed to live up to earnings expectations and the big premiums that the sector is trading at.

Tech stocks getting hammered

But there is at least one that's looking oversold and could be poised to make a rebound in the not too distant future.

Before I get into that though, it's worth noting the tech leaders that have fallen out of favour in recent times. This includes the Altium Limited (ASX: ALU) share price and the WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC) share price after the companies confessed to being impacted by the coronavirus.

The bloodletting continues today with many tech stocks falling harder than the 2.3% plunge in the S&P/ASX 200 (Index:^AXJO) (ASX:XJO)  index during lunch time trade.

Tech bargain buy

But it's usually a good time to be trawling for bargains when things look their bleakest!

One tech stock that might be worth picking up from the sin bin is Nearmap Ltd (ASX: NEA). Sure, it's hard to get bullish about a stock that's collapsed nearly 30% in a month. The Nearmap share price shed another 6.4% this afternoon to a near one-low low of $1.84.

However, Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG) sees a close to 60% upside for the stock over the next 12 months after the aerial mapping technology company posted a disappointing half year result.

Bad results already flagged

The bad report was largely expected as management issued a profit warning in the weeks leading up to the results.

The group's first half FY20 annualised contract value (ACV) increased 23% over the same period last year and was inline with the downgraded guidance as the churn rate more than doubled to 11.5% from 5.3% in the previous six months. The churn was driven by a small number of large North American subscribers.

How Nearmap can score a re-rate

"The result was largely in line with the recent FY20 trading update that raised some concerns around the stickiness of NEA's subs base, LTV and the broader competitive landscape," said Macquarie.

"Positively, NEA noted the US region had a stronger 2Q20, validating the sales & marketing investment and giving confidence in the scalability of the business."

But Macquarie conceded that management will need to post a much improved second half result in August along with a positive outlook for FY21 if the stock is to hit the broker's price target of $2.90 a share.

No pressure there on Nearmap's chief executive Rob Newman and his team.

Motley Fool contributor Brendon Lau owns shares of Nearmap Ltd. Connect with him on Twitter @brenlau.

The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of and has recommended Nearmap Ltd. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of Altium and WiseTech Global. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. 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

Overjoyed man celebrating success with yes gesture after getting some good news on mobile.
Technology Shares

Why is this surging ASX tech stock jumping another 12% on Friday?

This growing company's shares are now up 380% since the start of the year.

Read more »

Man on computer looking at graphs
Technology Shares

3 reasons to buy Xero shares today

A leading investment expert has a bullish outlook on Xero shares. Let’s see why.

Read more »

A warehouse worker is standing next to a shelf and using a digital tablet.
Technology Shares

Is WiseTech shaping up as a bargain after its steep decline?

WiseTech shares have pulled back sharply in recent months, giving up a fair bit of the momentum they built earlier…

Read more »

discount asx shares represented by gold baloons in the form of thirty per cent.
Technology Shares

When a top ASX stock falls 30%, it gets my attention. Here's why

The recent share price fall has been hard to ignore, which raises the question of whether the market has overreacted…

Read more »

A man sits in casual clothes in front of a computer amid graphic images of data superimposed on the image, as though he is engaged in IT or hacking activities.
Technology Shares

Megaport shares tipped to jump another 60%: Here's why

Here's what will drive the shares higher over the next months.

Read more »

excited woman looking at ASX share price on computer screen
Technology Shares

4 reasons to buy this ASX 300 tech share today

A leading investment expert forecasts more outperformance from this ASX tech share.

Read more »

person sitting at outdoor table looking at mobile phone and credit card.
Technology Shares

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

These technology investments could deliver exciting growth.

Read more »

A woman scratches her head in dismay as she looks at chaotic scene at a data centre
Opinions

NextDC shares drop 23% from their peak: Buying opportunity or sign to sell-up?

The tech stock has suffered amid the sector-wide sell off over the past couple of months.

Read more »