Sierra Wireless Inc. (TSX: SW)(NASDAQ: SWIR) stock is being killed today after releasing its fourth-quarter and year-end 2018 results that showed slowing revenue growth and mounting net losses, as well as 2019 company guidance that was well below expectations.
So what was once an investor darling tech stock is now a tech stock that is continuing its fall from grace amid uncertainty, weaker-than-expected end markets, and a company that looks to be in disarray, hoping to restructure to better position it for the expected “Internet of Things” boom.
For some investors, the temptation to head for the hills will be too great to ignore. For others, this massive share price drop looks like a great buying opportunity.
Do you think that a long-term value opportunity has just been created today for Sierra Wireless stock?
Let’s take a look.
On the downside, clearly there is a problem with slowing organic growth at Sierra, as a slowdown in the automotive and mobile computing end markets has stung the company.
Total revenue increased 9.7% versus last year; it fell 1% versus last quarter and organic revenue growth was 4% versus 10% last quarter.
Additionally, management issued guidance of no revenue growth in 2019.
For those of you who are looking to determine whether this a great long-term buy opportunity, let’s look at the company’s balance sheet.
Sierra has almost $60 million in cash on its balance sheet and no debt, leaving the company with plenty of wiggle room and flexibility, with regard to future acquisitions and capital spending.
The stock trades at 0.7 times sales, as sales growth is stalling and investors are worried that Sierra is losing its edge and that this is the beginning of the end for the company.
But what if the slowdown in its end markets is a temporary, industry-wide slowdown?
Sierra is restructuring in order to accelerate its transformation into a global Internet of Things solutions and services provider. The approximately $10 billion Internet of things market is large and addressable by Sierra, who has a leading position in many business verticals such as automotive, healthcare, and energy.
Sierra is investing in product innovation in order to secure its leading position.
Free cash flow business
Sierra Wireless has spent countless quarters burning through its cash, but in 2018 the company is generating healthy amounts of free cash flow, which bodes well for everyone.
In 2018, Sierra generated almost $28 million in free cash flow.
Final thoughts
While momentum is clearly to the downside right now for Sierra Wireless stock, investors should watch closely, as this may be a great opportunity to snatch up a leading internet of things stock at severely depressed valuations.
