Why Okta Stock Jumped Thursday

Were shares oversold?

| More on:
Hand arranging wood block stacking as step stair with arrow up.

Image source: Getty Images

What happened

Shares of identity management company Okta (NASDAQ: OKTA) jumped on Thursday, rising nearly 11% by the time the market closed.

The stock’s increase was likely fueled primarily by strength in the broader market, particularly in growth stocks. But a positive analyst note on the stock likely helped as well.

So what

Over the last few weeks, the market has pulled back several percentage points. But growth stocks like Okta have seen outsize declines. High-growth stocks The Trade Desk (NASDAQ: TTD), Shopify (NYSE: SHOP), and Roku (NASDAQ: ROKU), for instance, have seen their shares decline 25%, 19%, and 32%, respectively, in the 30 days ending on Oct. 2. But growth stocks regained some of their lost ground on Thursday. The aforementioned three companies rose 3%, 5%, and 6%, respectively, on Thursday alone.

Similarly, Okta stock lost 19% of its value in the 30 days ending Oct. 2. But shares rose along with other growth stocks on Oct. 3.

Adding to optimism for the stock on Thursday was a bullish note from an analyst at SunTrust Robinson. The brokerage firm increased its 12-month price target for the stock from $130 to $134 and upgraded its rating from hold to buy.

Now what

While it’s useful to have some context on these stock price moves, investors should remain focused on Okta’s underlying fundamentals.

In the company’s fiscal second quarter, revenue surged higher, rising 49% year over year. For the full year, management expects revenue to rise 40% to 41% year over year and to report a non-GAAP loss per share between $0.42 and $0.44.

This article represents the opinion of the writer, who may disagree with the “official” recommendation position of a Motley Fool premium service or advisor. We’re Motley! Questioning an investing thesis — even one of our own — helps us all think critically about investing and make decisions that help us become smarter, happier, and richer, so we sometimes publish articles that may not be in line with recommendations, rankings or other content.

Daniel Sparks has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Okta, Roku, Shopify, and The Trade Desk. The Motley Fool has the following options: short January 2020 $125 calls on The Trade Desk and long January 2020 $60 calls on The Trade Desk. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

More on Tech Stocks

Businessman holding AI cloud
Tech Stocks

Could Investing $20,000 in Nvidia Make You a Millionaire?

Nvidia stock has made investors millionaires in the last 10 years. Is it too late to invest to become a…

Read more »

Business man on stock market financial trade indicator background.
Tech Stocks

1 Growth Stock Down 50 Percent to Buy Right Now

There are plenty of growth stocks in the market worth considering, but Shopify (TSX:SHOP) looks like one of the best…

Read more »

Woman has an idea
Tech Stocks

Prediction: 1 Stock That Could Trounce the Market 

The TSX has been favouring tech stocks, but not this one. However, it has the potential to trounce the market…

Read more »

clock time
Tech Stocks

Long-Term Investing: 3 Top Canadian Stocks You Can Buy for Under $20 a Share

These three under-$20 stocks offer excellent buying opportunities for long-term investors.

Read more »

Businessman holding AI cloud
Tech Stocks

AI Will Transform Everything: Investors, Be Early Adopters and Buy These 3 Stocks

Investors looking to invest in companies doing big things in AI should consider these three stocks for their portfolios.

Read more »

stock research, analyze data
Tech Stocks

Forget Shopify: These Unstoppable Stocks Are Better Buys Today 

Should you consider buying Shopify stock while rivals consider a buyout or should you go for stocks with a stronger…

Read more »

A colourful firework display
Tech Stocks

2 Potentially Explosive Stocks to Buy in March

These two growth stocks are destined for many more years of market-crushing returns.

Read more »

edit CRA taxes
Tech Stocks

TFSA Millionaires Are Learning They Can Still Be Taxed

If you day trade stocks like Shopify (TSX:SHOP) in a TFSA, you may be taxed.

Read more »