Growth AND dividends? 2 ASX tech shares that also pay you income

Technology companies are stereotyped as going for growth at all costs, but some actually pay you a decent distribution at the same time.

| More on:
A mature woman holds a plate of cake and licks her thumb.

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 debate between investment styles always seems to be very binary.

You are either a fan of growth stocks or dividend shares. You are shooting for a 10-bagger, or you are cashing in on regular income.

But what if I told you you can have your cake and eat it too?

The industry that most typifies growth shares is technology

The products and services are modern or future-facing, and they are usually scalable. The businesses are usually seeking to expand market share or the addressable market itself.

So if you combine a technology provider with dividend payouts, you have the best of both worlds.

Here are two tech stocks that fit that criteria:

A buying window open right now

Tech distributor Dicker Data Ltd (ASX: DDR) has seen its share price almost triple over the past five years.

That's despite the stock almost halving since the market turned against tech shares 18 months ago.

Despite this growth, Dicker Data pays out an amazing 4.72% dividend yield fully franked.

The stock has dipped 20.25% year to date, potentially opening up a nice buying opportunity.

The Motley Fool's Bronwyn Allen reported last week that "the digital transformation megatrend is providing a mighty nice tailwind for further growth" for Dicker Data.

"Morgan Stanley has an outperform rating on Dicker Data shares, with a 12-month price target of $10. That implies a potential upside of 23%."

According to CMC Markets, two out of the five analysts that currently cover the stock recommend it as a strong buy.

The building blocks for artificial intelligence

There is no doubt artificial intelligence is the hot topic currently, not just among investors, but in society in general.

But such sophisticated capabilities require tremendous amounts of computing power to run.

This means that a company like Altium Limited (ASX: ALU) could be in prime position to cash in on the trend.

The company, which originated in Australia but is now headquartered in California, makes software for designing printed circuit boards (PCBs).

These are the basic building blocks for computers and electronic devices.

According to scientist and PCB expert Zachariah Peterson, Altium Designer software is useful for embedded AI developers.

"The CAD features in Altium Designer enable all aspects of systems and product design, ranging from packaging and PCB layout, and up to harness and cable design," he said last month on a blog post titled The Path Forward for Embedded AI.

"When you've finished your design, and you want to release files to your manufacturer, the Altium 365 platform makes it easy to collaborate and share your projects."

At a 1.36% dividend yield, the income production is not quite as impressive as Dicker Data.

But it's a trade off for potentially greater growth potential. If you held Altium shares over the past decade, it would be an amazing 27-bagger for you now.

Motley Fool contributor Tony Yoo has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Altium and Dicker Data. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Dicker Data. 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

Doctor checking patient's spine x-ray image.
Technology Shares

This ASX technology company's shares are surging more than 20% on a new contract win

A new contract win has this company's management "excited".

Read more »

Man controlling a drone in the sky.
Technology Shares

This ASX tech stock is in focus after fresh US news

Elsight shares are in focus after the company secured a new US order, highlighting growing commercial adoption of its drone…

Read more »

Happy healthcare workers in a labs
Technology Shares

Prediction: CSL shares could soar past $270 in 2026

Here's what to expect from the Australian-based global biotechnology company this year.

Read more »

Two people in flying suits and helmets cruise in mid-air high above the earth with arms outstretched and the sun on the horizon.
Opinions

Prediction: WiseTech stock is going to soar past $150 in 2026

Here's what I expect from the stock in the next 12 months.

Read more »

Man on computer looking at graphs
Technology Shares

Down 36% in a year, is it time to consider buying shares in this dominant ASX tech company?

Is this ASX tech leader starting to look like a buying opportunity?

Read more »

A woman looks quizzical while looking at a dollar sign in the air.
Technology Shares

Up 161% in 3 weeks, why is this surging ASX tech stock tumbling today?

Despite today’s fall, an $8,000 investment in this ASX tech stock on 18 December is still worth $20,859!

Read more »

Happy mum and dad with daughter smiling on couch after relocation to new home.
Technology Shares

Up 38% in a year, Life360 shares sliding today on $120 million US acquisition news

Life360 is actively expanding its advertising reach in the United States.

Read more »

A silhouette of a soldier flying a drone at sunset.
Technology Shares

Has this red-hot ASX tech share hit the brakes?

Broker sentiment has cooled significantly.

Read more »