Will a $10,000 Investment in Shopify’s (TSX:SHOP) IPO Be Worth $1 Million?

Canada’s best IPO of the past decade is just getting started. Shopify Inc.’s (TSX:SHOP)(NYSE:SHOP) stock is up 2,387% and has plenty of room to grow.

| More on:

As one of Canada’s hottest tech companies, investors can forget that Shopify (TSX:SHOP)(NYSE:SHOP) only went public a few years ago. Since making its debut on the TSX on May 21, 2015, it has been one of the best performing stocks on the Index. It has been Canada’s answer to Amazon.

Consider this: Shopify priced its initial public offering (IPO) at a mere $17. If you were one of the lucky early investors who were able to get in at the company’s list price, you would be sitting on gains of 2,387%. Yes, you read that correctly. A $10,000 investment would be worth $238,700 today.

On the first day of trading, Shopify’s price opened at $34.94. If you were “unlucky” and missed out on the IPO, you could still be enjoying 1,110% capital appreciation. A $10,000 investment would be worth $111,000 in only a few short years.

Investors tend to fear stocks that have had big gains. The prevailing theory is that the stock can’t possibly go higher, can it? It certainly can, and Shopify is a prime example of this.

A top stock hitting new highs

For the better part of 2018, Shopify was stuck in a range. Short analysts such as Citron Research came out with several bearish reports on the stock. It looked like the company was finally due for a potential correction or, at worst, a total meltdown.

A funny thing about Shopify: it does nothing but deliver. Stripping out all the noise, this is a company that has beat on both the top and bottom lines every quarter since it went public. That is 16 straight quarters of outperformance. This is a management team that knows how to execute, and it does not pay to bet against them. Short-sellers know this first hand.

In 2019, the company has more than doubled (+123%), and it is touching new highs on an almost weekly basis. It isn’t a good time to be a short-seller.

A top growth stock

Driving the company’s strong performance is its impressive growth profile. Over the next five years, Shopify is expected to grow earnings by 48.85% on average. Likewise, revenue is expected to grow by 36% annually over the next two years. Considering the company tends to beat estimates, these growth rates may end up being on the low end.

The company is a momentum stock and as such is prone to greater volatility. Given the strong performance of the markets in 2019, it is not surprising to see Shopify reach new heights.

Surprisingly, the company remains in neutral territory from a technical standpoint. Its 14-day relative strength index is only 59, which puts it firmly in neutral territory. As such, it isn’t overbought, despite its recent upwards trend. So long as the markets remain strong, so too will Shopify.

Canada’s best IPO of the past decade is just getting started. For a $10,000 to be worth $1 million, its share price would need to reach close to $2,000 per share. Sound impossible? If Shopify is Canada’s Amazon, then I would not bet against it.

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.

John Mackey, CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. Fool contributor Mat Litalien owns shares of Shopify. David Gardner owns shares of Amazon. Tom Gardner owns shares of Shopify. The Motley Fool owns shares of Amazon, Shopify, and Shopify. Shopify is a recommendation of Stock Advisor Canada.

More on Tech Stocks

Hourglass and stock price chart
Tech Stocks

1 Canadian Stock Ready to Surge Into 2025

There is a lot of uncertainty about the market in general as we move closer to the following year, but…

Read more »

stock research, analyze data
Tech Stocks

Apple vs. Shopify: Which Stock Is the Better Buy for the Next 3 Years?

Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) and Shopify (TSX:SHOP) are great tech titans, but they're ending the year with huge momentum.

Read more »

Investor reading the newspaper
Dividend Stocks

Emerging Investment Trends to Watch for in 2025

Canadians must watch out for and be guided by emerging investment trends to ensure financial success in 2025.

Read more »

nvidia headquarters with grey nvidia sign in front with nvidia logo
Tech Stocks

If You’d Invested $100/Month in Nvidia Starting a Decade Ago, Here’s How Much You’d Have Now

Nvidia has helped long-term investors create generational wealth. But is the tech stock still a good buy right now?

Read more »

chart reflected in eyeglass lenses
Tech Stocks

Is Shopify Stock a Buy, Sell, or Hold for 2025?

Shopify (TSX:SHOP) still looks like a tempting growth stock going into a new year with strength.

Read more »

A shopper makes purchases from an online store.
Tech Stocks

The Smartest Growth Stock to Buy With $1,000 Right Now

Given its solid sales growth, improved profitability, and healthy growth prospects, Shopify would be an excellent buy.

Read more »

Representation of deep learning neural networks and connectivity
Tech Stocks

Opinion: This AI Stock Has a Chance to Turn $1,000 Into $10,000 in 5 Years

If you’re looking for an undervalued Canadian AI stock with huge upside potential, BlackBerry (TSX:BB) should certainly be on your…

Read more »

chip with the letters "AI" on it
Dividend Stocks

The Top Canadian AI Stocks to Buy for 2025

AI stocks are certainly strong companies, and there are steady gainers in Canada as well. But these three are the…

Read more »