Why is the Megaport share price rocketing 17% today?

This tech share is catching the eye following its quarterly update.

The Megaport Ltd (ASX: MP1) share price is on fire on Tuesday morning.

In early trade, the elasticity connectivity and network services interconnection provider's shares are up 17% to $11.48.

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

Image source: Getty Images

Why is the Megaport share price rocketing?

Investors have been buying the company's shares this morning following the release of its quarterly update.

For the three months ended 31 December, Megaport reported total revenue of $48.6 million. This was an increase of 5% quarter on quarter and 31% year on year. This was driven by continued growth in customers and total services across all regions.

It was a similar story for its annual recurring revenue (ARR), which stood at $191.7 million at the end of the second quarter. This is up 1% quarter on quarter and approximately 27% year on year.

Management notes that its growth would have been stronger but was negatively impacted by significant foreign exchange headwinds from a strengthening Australian dollar. Underlying ARR excluding the impact of foreign exchange grew $7.6 million or 4% in the quarter.

Pleasingly, a strong turnaround in profitability while still investing in growth saw Megaport deliver positive EBITDA of $15.1 million for the quarter.

And while this is flat quarter on quarter, that's because it reflects the increase in expenditure to reignite its go-to-market engine. This includes additional costs for sales, marketing and customer success staff, events, marketing and travel, offset by the growth in revenue.

On an annual basis, Megaport's EBITDA was up $12.7 million or 500%+ from $2.4 million in the prior corresponding period.

Another positive that is giving the Megaport share price a boost is its cash flow. Megaport generated positive net cash flow of $6.9 million, which is up 23% quarter on quarter and by $18 million year on year.

This left the company with a cash balance of $62.5 million, which is an increase of $7.3 million since the end of September.

Business update

Management also provided investors with a few comments in relation to how the business is performing. It said:

The investment in our go-to-market (GTM) engine to drive future top-line growth is continuing, with North American Sales team hiring now complete and all roles "in seat". […] With the team now successfully built out, focus has shifted towards improving the effectiveness of the GTM engine. This includes optimising lead generation, nurturing the pipeline of opportunities, and simplifying and elevating both the sales process and GTM operating models and tools.

In addition, the company's Global WAN as a Service is starting to generate meaningful revenue. It said:

Our focus on delivering Global WAN as a Service is gaining traction with customers, as evidenced by a three-year agreement signed with a major US healthcare provider. With operations spanning multiple US states, this project enabled the customer to overhaul their IT infrastructure to connect eight data centres, modernise their point-to-point connectivity, and deliver diversity at the port level. This Global WAN solution enabled a significantly larger deal size, generating $1.4M in ARR and $4.2M in total contract value.

The Megaport share price is up 50% over the last 12 months.

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro 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 Megaport. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Megaport. 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 woman looks internationally at a digital interface of the world.
Technology Shares

How much could the Xero share price rise in the next year?

Can Xero rediscover its lost mojo?

Read more »

Woman and AI robot working together in the office.
Technology Shares

2 ASX tech shares I think the market is underestimating

Could the market be too pessimistic about these two technology businesses? I think it might be.

Read more »

Graphic illustration of buy now pay later technology overlaid on blurred photo of businessman on tablet
Technology Shares

Tyro Payments vs Zip: Which ASX Payments Stock Wins?

Which ASX payments stock is a better buy right now: Tyro Payments or Zip? Here’s my verdict based on the…

Read more »

happy teenager using iPhone
Technology Shares

Xero vs Life360: Which ASX tech share has more upside?

Xero and Life360 are both struggling on the ASX, but one looks to have more potential right now. Here’s my…

Read more »

Drone flying in the sky.
Technology Shares

DroneShield shares crashed 52%. This new weapon could flip the script

Market wants evidence, not promises. RfRecon orders could deliver just that.

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

Dicker Data vs Megaport: Which ASX tech share has more upside?

I compare Dicker Data and Megaport shares for dividends, value and upside — here's which ASX tech stock I'd back…

Read more »

A man sits at a desk with a phone in one hand, his other hand on his chin and studies a computer screen in front of him with what appears to be cryptocurrency data on both screens.
Technology Shares

Down 5% today to a 7-year low: What is going on with Xero shares?

Are brokers still bullish that the ASX tech stock can rebound?

Read more »

Man using his device in an airport.
Technology Shares

Should I invest $5,000 into WiseTech and Xero shares?

I take a closer look at whether these two ASX tech shares deserve a $5,000 investment today.

Read more »