Why the Altium (ASX:ALU) share price is one to watch today

The Altium Limited (ASX: ALU) share price has been flying in 2020 but is that about to change before the US election in November?

| More on:

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

The Altium Limited (ASX: ALU) share price has edged 3.1% higher this year but it could start to feel the heat.

Why has the Altium share price climbed in 2020?

US and Australian tech shares like Altium have been on fire in 2020. While the coronavirus pandemic has hit many sectors hard, technology is not one of them.

Altium is an electronic printed circuit board (PCB) software design company. Despite concerns over supply chain disruptions and weaker sales, the company posted a 10.1% increase in full-year profit in August.

Alongside its fellow 'WAAAX' shares like Afterpay Ltd (ASX: APT), future expected growth has seen the Altium share price outperform the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) in 2020.

Why could the ASX tech share be under pressure today?

The big news out of the United States overnight was to do with government stimulus. While the Altium share price has been propelled higher by strong government and central bank support, that could be about to change.

US President, Donald Trump, has put further stimulus talks on ice until after the election. That's currently set to occur on 3 November, which could leave some tech shares with significant US operations in the lurch until then.

There's a two-fold impact that I can see here. Firstly, less stimulus means less support for businesses which could impact stability and earnings. Businesses won't get as many subsidies and people are less likely to spend without further government stimulus.

Secondly, it could lead to currency impacts. That could affect supply chain costs and the realised profits from overall sales across the globe.

Altium is largely based in the US with the majority of its executives over there. It also earns a significant portion of its US$189.1 million in revenues overseas which makes the Altium share price worth watching in October.

Foolish takeaway

The Altium share price has had a strong year so far but I think it's in for a tough time ahead of the US election.

Ken Hall has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns shares of and recommends Altium. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of AFTERPAY T FPO. 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

Man happy to be holding a blue cloud representing cloud computing.
Technology Shares

3 ASX shares benefiting from the rise of digital infrastructure

Artificial intelligence and cloud computing need the help of these shares.

Read more »

Soldier in military uniform using laptop for drone controlling.
Technology Shares

Why this ASX defence stock is falling today despite a massive 660% run

EOS shares pull back as a contract delay offsets a solid quarterly result.

Read more »

Happy couple looking at a phone and waiting for their flight at an airport.
Technology Shares

ASX tech stock charges higher on big acquisition news

Let's see what the software company has announced this morning.

Read more »

A young man talks tech on his phone while looking at a laptop with a financial graph superimposed across the image.
Technology Shares

These beaten down ASX 200 tech stocks could rise 55% to 60%

Brokers think these stocks could rise strongly from current levels.

Read more »

Hand with AI in capital letters and AI-related digital icons.
Technology Shares

Which junior ASX AI company has rocketed almost 40% on a transformational deal?

Big things could come from this deal, the company's leaders say.

Read more »

Three small children reach up to hold a toy rocket high above their heads in a green field with a blue sky above them.
Technology Shares

Up 13% today. Here's why this $6.6 billion ASX stock is on the move again

Codan shares rocket as earnings guidance jumps more than 60%

Read more »

a man raises his fists to the air in joyous celebration while learning some exciting good news via his computer screen in an office setting.
Technology Shares

Codan FY26 earnings surge more than 60% on strong communications segment

Codan expects FY26 EBIT and NPAT to surge by more than 60%, powered by strong results in both communications and…

Read more »

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

Down 30%, why this ASX 200 stock could be a strong buy

A sharp pullback has changed the starting point. The key question now is whether the growth and scalability story still…

Read more »