These 3 Small-Cap Tech Stocks Are Diamonds in the Rough

Before you go out and bet all your tech allocation on Shopify Inc. (TSX:SHOP)(NYSE:SHOP), you might want to consider these three small-cap gems.

Shopify (TSX:SHOP)(NYSE:SHOP) is Canada’s second-largest tech stock by market cap, and is arguably Canada’s favourite tech stock. Fool contributor Prosper Bakiny picked Shopify as his top stock for 2019.

Who doesn’t like Shopify? It’s a fantastic business, and I recently sang its praises. However, before you bet all of your tech allocations on SHOP, you might want to consider these three stocks for a small, complementary portion.

Solium Capital (TSX:SUM)

I first came across the Calgary-based company several years ago while working in the financial services industry. Recently, The Globe and Mail highlighted Solium as part of a stock screen for profitable tech stocks.

The company markets Shareworks, a software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform that enables companies to manage and administer their equity compensation plans. Given the growth in stock options, awards, grants, etc., its service is highly sought after.

Companies that use Shareworks include Royal Bank of Canada, Levi Strauss, Barclays, BHP Billiton. It’s a global company with a three-pronged sales effort encompassing its own direct sales force, white label partners, and third-party partners such as law firms and wealth managers.

In the trailing 12-months ended September 30, 2018, Solium had revenue of $104.1 million and adjusted EBITDA of $12.9 million. Approximately 52% of its revenue is in the U.S., Canada represents another 32%, and the rest of the world the remaining 16%, most of that from Australia and New Zealand.

Critically important is the fact 66% of its revenue is recurring, another 30% is re-ocurring revenue (more than one-time purchase), and just 4% is a one-time purchase.

Solium plans to grow in three ways: organically, by acquisition, and geographically. Considering it’s operating in four countries, the world is its oyster.

At 5.4 times sales, it’s not a cheap stock, but future growth suggests it deserves an above-average multiple.

Real Matters (TSX:REAL)

Based in Toronto, Real Matters provides a network management services platform to help 60 of America’s top 100 mortgage lenders make better lending decisions. It estimates that the total market for its services tops US$13 billion annually.

Seems like a great business?

Real Matters went public in May 2017. Unfortunately, investors have not bought into its story. The company’s stock’s fallen to below $5, losing 65% of its market cap in the process.

National Bank of Canada analyst Richard Tse has a $6 target price on Real Matters (32% upside as I write this) and a “sector perform” rating. That said, Tse does tend to lean to the negative side of the argument.

“Nothing we saw or heard during today’s results and conference call changes our view that 2019 will remain a challenging year for REAL despite what the recent price appreciation would seem to signal,” Tse stated in early February. “Given the continued headwind in the originations market, particularly for refinance activity, we believe the risk-to-reward profile looks balanced.”

Currently trading at 25 times its projected 2020 EBITDA, it isn’t cheap. Nonetheless, I expect CEO Jason Smith to surprise a lot of the detractors in 2019 despite the headwinds it faces.

It’s a speculative buy.

Information Services (TSX:ISV)

Talk about a company that flies under the radar. You would think from its name that it does research work, but it provides interested parties with information about land titles, property liens, survey plans, aerial photos, and corporate registrations. 

For a fee, of course.

Formerly a Saskatchewan Crown corporation until 2013 when it went public at $14 a share, J.C. Clark money manager Colin Stewart suggested in mid-November that it had 40% upside. At the time it was trading around where it is now, so you’ve still got an excellent opportunity ahead of you.

According to Stewart, this type of company should trade at 25 times EBITDA. It trades around one-third that multiple. With a dividend yield of 5.0% and a strong balance sheet, ISV is an income investor’s dream stock.

 

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.

Fool contributor Will Ashworth has no position in any stocks mentioned. \Tom Gardner owns shares of Shopify. The Motley Fool owns shares of Shopify and Shopify. Shopify and Solium are recommendations of Stock Advisor Canada.

More on Tech Stocks

Tech Stocks

Top Canadian Stocks to Buy for Growth in 2025

There are a lot of growth stocks you can buy and hold for the long term to build a sizable…

Read more »

hand stacking money coins
Tech Stocks

Billionaires Are Selling Tesla Stock and Betting on This TSX Stock

Tesla stock has long been the one to beat, but after falling in share price, stability may be more key.

Read more »

chart reflected in eyeglass lenses
Tech Stocks

OpenText Stock: Down 27%, Buy Now for Pure Long-Term Perfection

OpenText stock may have dropped after earnings, but according to its CEO, future growth is just getting started.

Read more »

ETF chart stocks
Dividend Stocks

These ETFs Are My 2 Favourites to Buy for 2025

These two top ETFs may be going through some volatility right now, but both are due for huge returns in…

Read more »

A person uses and AI chat bot
Tech Stocks

Missed Out on Nvidia? My Favourite AI Stock to Buy and Hold

Its high growth potential, resilience to the emergence of low-cost LLMs, and low valuation make it a compelling stock in…

Read more »

Abstract Human Skull representing AI
Tech Stocks

1 Top Tech Stock to Invest in Canadian AI Stocks for Long-Term Gains

While many AI companies attract attention for high but speculative growth, this reliable AI stock is worth a look by…

Read more »

e-commerce shopping getting a package
Tech Stocks

Why Shopify (TSX:SHOP) Could Be the Hottest TSX Stock in 2025

Shopify (TSX:SHOP) might have enough steam to push the TSX higher and higher in 2025.

Read more »

online shopping
Tech Stocks

Down 22% From All-Time Highs, Is Shopify Stock a Good Buy in 2025?

Shopify stock has delivered market-beating returns to shareholders since its IPO in 2015. Is the TSX tech stock still a…

Read more »