Morgans names 2 small cap ASX stocks to watch

Big things could be on the cards for buyers of these small caps according to the broker.

| More on:
Small business family created to include people with disabilities in order to have equal opportunity as everyone else.

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

Key points

  • Atturra faced a contractual setback with an Australian public sector body, but Morgans sees this as a one-off event and an opportunity for investors, suggesting a 21% potential upside.
  • PeopleIn is refocusing its business on core strengths after divesting non-core segments, with the expectation of improved earnings quality and a promising 25% upside.
  • Small cap stocks like Atturra and PeopleIn offer intriguing growth opportunities in a market where small caps are outperforming larger indices this year.

Having a bit of exposure to the small side of the market can be a good thing for a portfolio if your risk tolerance allows it.

You only need to look at the performance of the S&P/ASX Small Ordinaries index to see this.

It is up 22% year to date, whereas the S&P/ASX 200 index is only up 7.4%.

But which small cap ASX stocks could be worth considering? Let's take a look at two that Morgans is positive on. They are as follows:

Atturra Ltd (ASX: ATA)

The first small cap ASX stock that Morgans has been looking at is Attura.  It is a technology company providing a range of enterprise advisory, consulting, IT services, and solutions to local government, utilities, education, defence, federal government, financial services, and manufacturing industries,

It recently revealed the immediate termination of a fixed term contract with an Australian public sector body. While this is disappointing, Morgans believes that significant share price weakness since the announcement has created an opportunity for investors. It said:

ATA have announced a contract dispute which will negatively impact its FY26 and its 1H26 result. Management commented that "Atturra does not have a history of disputes or termination of material contracts and views this as a one-off occurrence. ATA's balance sheet remains strong, and the Company sees no ongoing impact from this purported termination." We agree and see this as a largely one-off event. We reduce our forecasts in line with guidance which lowers our TP to 80cps (was 95cps).

Morgans has an accumulate rating and 80 cents price target on its shares. This implies potential upside of 21% for investors over the next 12 months.

PeopleIn Ltd (ASX: PPE)

Another small cap ASX stock that Morgans is positive on is PeopleIn. It is a workforce solutions company servicing over 4,000 businesses.

It focuses on high-demand and defensive employment sectors including engineering, trades and labour, food services and agriculture, technology, finance, corporate services, education and defence.

Morgans was pleased with the company's decision to divest businesses and believe it will create higher quality earnings. It explains:

PPE has now divested two businesses as it, refocuses on its core competencies, being Queensland infrastructure, food and agriculture, defence and professional services. Whilst the divestments have been opportunistic and at healthy earnings multiples, the impact has been dilutionary to EPS. Offsetting the lower EPS, the residual business should prove higher quality (and higher growth), as the business looks beyond what is approaching cyclically low earnings.

To this end, we continue to see earnings growth driving share price appreciation through FY27/28, with any turnaround unlikely to be visible until 4QFY26. Hence, we reiterate our Speculative Buy rating with a $1.10/sh price target.

Morgans has a speculative buy rating and $1.10 price target on its shares. This implies potential upside of 25% over the next 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 Peoplein. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Atturra and Peoplein. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

More on Small Cap Shares

Close-up of a business man's hand stacking gold coins into piles on a desktop.
Small Cap Shares

This ASX penny stock could rocket 40%, says broker

Here's the small cap that Bell Potter is recommending to clients with a high tolerance for risk.

Read more »

Young girl starting investing by putting a coin ion a piggybank while surrounded by her parents.
Small Cap Shares

2 ASX small-caps tipped to climb in 2026

Two small-caps worth watching this year.

Read more »

A young woman lifts her red glasses with one hand as she takes a closer look at news about interest rates rising and one expert's surprising recommendation as to which ASX shares to buy
Share Market News

ASX small-caps could be where the next wave of returns comes from

Looking beyond the ASX 200? Small-caps could offer more room for growth and more chances to outperform.

Read more »

A young boy sits on his father's shoulders as they flex their muscles at sunrise on a beach
Small Cap Shares

2 ASX small-caps with big upside to target in February

Watch out for these small-caps this month.

Read more »

Contented looking man leans back in his chair at his desk and smiles.
Small Cap Shares

Morgans names 3 exciting small cap ASX stocks to buy now

Big things could be coming for these small caps according to the broker.

Read more »

Happy man working on his laptop.
Small Cap Shares

Bell Potter names 2 small cap ASX shares to buy

Let's see which shares Bell Potter is recommending at the small side of the market.

Read more »

Ecstatic woman looking at her phone outside with her fist pumped.
Small Cap Shares

Morgans names 2 small cap ASX shares to buy

The broker has good things to say about these small caps.

Read more »

Man holding tablet sitting in front of TV
Small Cap Shares

Up 64% in a year, can ASX small cap BetMakers keep rallying?

The latest quarter was notable with a series of high-profile commercial wins.

Read more »