Down 40% this year, should you pounce on this ASX tech share now before it becomes profitable?

This up-and-coming ASX tech share is eyeing off profitability on the horizon.

| More on:
A player pounces on the ball in the scoring zone of the field.

Image source: Getty Images

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 Life360 Inc (ASX: 360) share price swung like a pendulum on Tuesday as investors digested the company's first-half results.

After tumbling more than 8% in early morning trade, the Life360 share price made a stunning recovery to finish the day more than 5% higher.

Despite yesterday's rise, the Life360 share price is still languishing around 40% lower this year. 

Could the dip present a buying opportunity for this up-and-coming ASX tech share?

Setting the scene

Life360 is a US-based company that made a name for itself by designing a family safety app for smartphones.

The company offers a freemium model where a basic subscription allows families (also known as 'circles') to see the whereabouts of other members in their group on a map in real-time. It's similar to Apple Inc's (NASDAQ: AAPL) Find My feature on its devices.

But Life360 differentiates itself through the comprehensiveness of features on offer. Families can access a range of features through the company's paid subscriptions, including crash detection, driver reports, roadside assistance, and ID theft protection.

While this remains Life360's core offering, the company has turned to acquisitions to build out its ecosystem.

In September 2021, it completed the acquisition of Jiobit, a provider of wearable location devices for young children, pets, and seniors.

Not long after, Life360 made headlines when it announced the US$170 million acquisition of Tile, a leading provider of location trackers that can be attached to valuable items.

With these acquisitions under its belt, Life360 has completed its '360' vision of protecting people, pets, and things.

The company believes these deals have expanded its addressable market. And integrated together, it expects its new bundled offering to lead to higher conversion rates to paid subscriptions, increased average revenue per paying circle, and improved retention rates.

Profitability ahoy

As a consumer-focused software-as-a-service (SaaS) business, Life360 reports plenty of metrics for investors to monitor.

But beyond these metrics and financials, what likely caught the attention of the market yesterday was the company's commentary around profitability.

The flavour of February's reporting season earlier this year was costs and, in turn, profits. ASX growth shares, in particular, were swiftly and brutally sold down on signs of increasing operating expenses and/or no line of sight to profitability.

So perhaps learning from this, Life360 has made its focus on the bottom line clear. 

In welcome news for investors, the company expects to deliver positive cash flow in the fourth quarter of CY22. And according to management, its current trajectory should see Life360 becoming earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) positive by late CY23.

This path to profitability is underpinned by a leaner cost base, organisational cost efficiencies, reducing commissions, new bundled memberships, and improving subscriber metrics.

What's more, the company is currently market testing higher price points for its subscriptions. If Life360 does indeed have latent pricing power and decides to flex it, these price increases could add further upside.

Life360 share price snapshot

The Life360 share price went on a tear in 2021, rocketing more than 150% to be on the radar of many ASX growth investors.

2022 hasn't been so kind, with Life360 shares tumbling roughly 40% in the year to date.

The company expects to deliver revenue between US$245 million and US$260 million in CY22. The midpoint of this range represents 124% growth compared to CY21, predominantly driven by the addition of Tile.

Taking the midpoint of CY22 revenue guidance, Life360 shares are trading on a forward price-to-sales ratio of roughly 3x.

With a rapidly-growing user base, strong optionality, improving economics, and a founder at the helm, Life360 is an ASX tech share firmly on my watchlist.

Motley Fool contributor Cathryn Goh has positions in Apple. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Apple and Life360, Inc. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended the following options: long March 2023 $120 calls on Apple and short March 2023 $130 calls on Apple. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Apple. 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

A man in his 30s holds his laptop and operates it with his other hand as he has a look of pleasant surprise on his face as though he is learning something new or finding hidden value in something on the screen.
Cheap Shares

2 ASX 200 shares with massive upside potential according to brokers

WiseTech and NextDC shares have pulled back in recent times, but brokers see meaningful upside from current levels.

Read more »

Five happy friends on their phones.
Technology Shares

Why is everyone talking about DroneShield shares today?

The company is making some big changes after recent events.

Read more »

Man looking at digital holograms of graphs, charts, and data.
Technology Shares

This ASX AI stock is jumping 9% on huge news

Business is booming for this data centre operator.

Read more »

A man sits in deep thought with a pen held to his lips as he ponders his computer screen with a laptop open next to him on his desk in a home office environment.
Technology Shares

Why I think these 3 ASX shares are top-quality buying at today's prices

These 3 high-quality ASX shares have fallen out of favour. I think they all look attractive at today’s prices.

Read more »

Cheerful businessman with a mining hat on the table sitting back with his arms behind his head while looking at his laptop's screen.
Technology Shares

What's the latest update on takeover target RPM Global?

An extraordinary 99.88% of votes cast were in favour of the takeover.

Read more »

A woman jumps for joy with a rocket drawn on the wall behind her.
Technology Shares

Why is this ASX tech stock jumping 14% on Friday?

This tech stock is ending the week in style.

Read more »

Man ponders a receipt as he looks at his laptop.
Technology Shares

Why experts think the Xero share price could rise 70% in 2026!

This business is one of the most impressive businesses on the ASX.

Read more »

A male ASX investor sits cross-legged with a laptop computer in his lap with a slightly crazed, happy, excited look on his face while next to him a graphic of a rocket shoots upwards with graphics of stars scattered around it
Technology Shares

Rocketboots rockets 80% on blockbuster global deal. Is this ASX small cap just getting started?

Rocketboots shares have jumped 80% after landing a major global contract that could transform its growth outlook.

Read more »