2 cheap technology small-caps for 2017

Edward Sheldon identifies two small-cap tech stocks with compelling prospects.

| More on:

The content of this article was relevant at the time of publishing. Circumstances change continuously and caution should therefore be exercised when relying upon any content contained within this article.

When investing, your capital is at risk. The value of your investments can go down as well as up and you may get back less than you put in.

Read More

The content of this article is provided for information purposes only and is not intended to be, nor does it constitute, any form of personal advice. Investments in a currency other than sterling are exposed to currency exchange risk. Currency exchange rates are constantly changing, which may affect the value of the investment in sterling terms. You could lose money in sterling even if the stock price rises in the currency of origin. Stocks listed on overseas exchanges may be subject to additional dealing and exchange rate charges, and may have other tax implications, and may not provide the same, or any, regulatory protection as in the UK.

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.

While there’s not an abundance of technology stocks listed in the UK, there are some interesting opportunities to be found in the small-cap area of the market. Here’s a look at two small technology stocks that have caught my eye recently. 

Softcat

Softcat (LSE: SCT) is a provider of IT infrastructure to the corporate and public sectors. The £590m market cap company provides organisations with datacentre, networking and security solutions and provides the services to design, implement, support and manage these solutions.

Although Softcat only listed on the London Stock Exchange in November 2015, the company has been in existence for over 20 years, growing significantly in this time. In the last five years alone, revenue has more than tripled from £219.2m in FY2011 to £672.4m in FY2016 and the impressive growth is forecast to continue, with City analysts pencilling-in revenue of £744.4m and £813.0m for the next two years.

The stock enjoyed a strong yet volatile run immediately after floating, rising from 240p to around 380p, however the Brexit result caused investors to panic and the shares were sold-off heavily. Softcat now trades at just under the 300p mark and at this price, the shares trade on a forward looking P/E ratio of 15.1, which seems relatively low given the company’s growth history.

Softcat also has appealing dividend prospects, with the company rewarding its shareholders last year with regular dividends of 5.3p as well as a generous special dividend of 14.2p. Analysts anticipate regular dividends of 10.3p per share for FY2017, a yield of 3.5%.

Although Brexit could potentially affect earnings, I believe that demand for cyber security and data storage services will remain robust in the coming years, and management recently stated that the company was off to a good start in 2017. After a 20% share price drop in the last six months, Softcat appears to offer broad exposure to the IT sector at a reasonable valuation.  

IQE

Semiconductor wafer manufacturer IQE (LSE: IQE) has also screened up as a fast-growing technology stock trading at an undemanding valuation. IQE manufactures wafers that are used by major global chip companies to produce chips used in technology such as smartphones, infrared systems, solar cells and LED lighting.

The £272m market cap firm generates around 60% of its sales from the US, 10% from Europe, and the remainder from the Asia Pacific region and revenue has grown significantly in recent years, climbing from £72.7m in FY2010 to £114m in FY2015.

The company announced in December that trading had been “strong across multiple markets”, and that it was on track to deliver FY2016 revenue and adjusted operating profit ahead of market expectations. City analysts forecast revenue and earnings per share of £129.3m and 2.91p respectively, meaning that the company trades on a forward looking P/E ratio of just 13.7.

While IQE has enjoyed strong share price momentum in the last six months, rising from 17p to 40p today, the company still looks attractively valued at the current price and it would not surprise me to see the share price run further this year.

Should you invest, the value of your investment may rise or fall and your capital is at risk. Before investing, your individual circumstances should be assessed. Consider taking independent financial advice.

Edward Sheldon has no position in any shares mentioned. The Motley Fool UK has no position in any of the shares mentioned. We Fools don't all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.

More on Investing Articles

Investing Articles

Could the JD Sports Fashion share price double in the next five years?

The JD Sports Fashion share price has nearly halved in the past five years. Our writer thinks a proven business…

Read more »

Bus waiting in front of the London Stock Exchange on a sunny day.
Investing Articles

If interest rate cuts are coming, I think these UK growth stocks could soar!

Falling interest could be great news for UK growth stocks, especially those that have been under the cosh recently. Paul…

Read more »

Investing Articles

Are these the best stocks to buy on the FTSE right now?

With the UK stock market on the way to hitting new highs, this Fool is considering which are the best…

Read more »

Petrochemical engineer working at night with digital tablet inside oil and gas refinery plant
Investing Articles

Can the Centrica dividend keep on growing?

Christopher Ruane considers some positive factors that might see continued growth in the Centrica dividend -- as well as some…

Read more »

Smiling family of four enjoying breakfast at sunrise while camping
Investing Articles

How I’d turn my £12,000 of savings into passive income of £1,275 a month

This Fool is considering a strategy that he believes can help him achieve a stable passive income stream with a…

Read more »

Person holding magnifying glass over important document, reading the small print
Investing Articles

2 top FTSE 250 investment trusts trading at attractive discounts!

This pair of discounted FTSE 250 trusts appear to be on sale right now. Here's why I'd scoop up their…

Read more »

Smiling young man sitting in cafe and checking messages, with his laptop in front of him.
Investing Articles

3 things that could push the Lloyds share price to 60p and beyond

The Lloyds share price has broken through 50p. Next step 60p? And then what? Here are some thoughts on what…

Read more »

Young female business analyst looking at a graph chart while working from home
Investing Articles

£1,000 in Rolls-Royce shares a year ago would be worth this much now

Rolls-Royce shares have posted one of the best stock market gains of the past 12 months. But what might the…

Read more »