Why You Should Invest in These 2 Canadian Tech Stocks

Why these 2 tech stocks are better than Shopify (TSX:SHOP)(NYSE:SHOP) and promise higher returns.

| More on:

Although the popular Shopify stock surged this year on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX), Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) investors should look at these two technology stocks instead.

Kinaxis (TSX:KXS) and Open Text (TSX:OTEX)(NASDAQ:OTEX) are in industries with higher growth expectations, larger profit margins, and much less competition. Both companies provide cloud-based enterprise data analytics software. Cloud-based software, data analytics, and artificial intelligence capabilities are the next big technology revolution.

Both these companies are much better options than the more expensive Shopify. Between Open Text and Kinaxis, Open Text is more than likely the better choice for TFSA investors hoping to profit from both capital gains and high dividend yields.

Not only is Open Text the less expensive option, but it also offers a dividend yield of 1.69% annually.

Open Text free cash flow higher than Shopify

Open Text is more profitable than both Shopify and Kinaxis, and yet shares in this stock sell for much less at $52.86 per share. At $772.34 million per year, Open Text’s levered free cash flow (FCF) is much higher than both Shopify and Kinaxis. To compare, Shopify’s FCF is a mere $18.21 million, while Kinaxis only pulls in $28.27 million.

Kinaxis and Shopify are both overvalued. Shopify stock currently sells for almost $367 per share, and Kinaxis shares cost nearly $79. Shopify doesn’t even pull in positive annual earnings per share (EPS). Last year, Shopify’s EPS came in at around negative $0.71.

Kinaxis EPS can almost compete with Open Text, but not really. For 2018, Kinaxis reported annual earnings per share of positive $0.62. As Kinaxis isn’t as expensive as Shopify, Kinaxis is still an excellent investment opportunity – just not as good as Open Text.

Kinaxis serves the profitable aerospace and defense industry

There’s a lot of money to be made from the government – and Kinaxis understands how to sell to government clients. This means that Kinaxis is not your typical software company. It offers a platform along with a business development strategy with the potential to triple its earnings over the next five years.

Kinaxis software is designed to manage global supply chain operations throughout the United States, Europe, Asia, and Canada. Post-Huawei scandal and the increase in cyber warfare between world governments put supply chain security in increased focus.

Supply chain threats, particularly in technology, automobile, and aerospace, are a top priority for Western countries particularly our neighbour to the south. U.S. president Donald Trump’s trade war with China and accusations of espionage through global corporations opens the door for Canada to position itself as the trusted cloud-based software solutions provider.

Foolish takeaway

Open Text shares a similar business model as that of Kinaxis, and boasts partnerships with some of the world’s top technology and consulting firms. These corporations include SAP SE, Microsoft, Oracle, Salesforce.com, Accenture, and Deloitte Consulting. Because Open Text issues dividends to shareholders, Open Text is the best TSX investment a TFSA investor can make in a technology corporation.

That’s not to say that Kinaxis shares aren’t worth their weight, however. They certainly are – and in the next couple of years, Kinaxis is also likely to offer a healthy dividend yield like Open Text. For Canadian savers with extra money to invest, Kinaxis is an excellent Canadian technology investment to make today.

Fool contributor Debra Ray has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. Tom Gardner owns shares of Shopify. The Motley Fool owns shares of Shopify and Shopify. Shopify and Kinaxis are recommendations of Stock Advisor Canada.

More on Dividend Stocks

Dividend Stocks

3 Beginner-Friendly Stocks Perfect for Canadians Starting Out Now

Looking for some beginner-friendly stocks? Here’s a trio of options that are too hard to ignore right now.

Read more »

The RRSP (Canadian Registered Retirement Savings Plan) is a smart way to save and invest for the future
Retirement

1 TSX Stock to Safely Hold in Your RRSP for Decades

This is a long-term compounder that Canadians can add in their RRSPs on dips.

Read more »

Close-up of people hands taking slices of pepperoni pizza from wooden board.
Dividend Stocks

3 of the Best Canadian Stocks Investors Can Buy Right Now

These three Canadian stocks are all reliable dividend payers, making them some of the best to buy now in the…

Read more »

hand stacks coins
Dividend Stocks

How to Max Out Your TFSA in 2026

Maxing your 2026 TFSA room could be simpler than you think, and National Bank offers a steady dividend plus growth…

Read more »

A woman shops in a grocery store while pushing a stroller with a child
Dividend Stocks

This 7.7% Dividend Stock Is My Top Pick for Monthly Income

Slate Grocery REIT offers “right now” TFSA income with a big yield, but its payout safety depends on cash-flow coverage.

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

1 Incredible Canadian Dividend Stock to Buy for Decades

Emera pairs a steady regulated utility business with a solid yield and a huge growth plan that could fuel future…

Read more »

engineer at wind farm
Dividend Stocks

Outlook for Brookfield Stock in 2026

Here's why Brookfield Corporation is one of the best stocks Canadian investors can buy, not just for 2026, but for…

Read more »

top TSX stocks to buy
Dividend Stocks

3 Canadian Growth Stocks to Buy for Long-Term Returns

Add these three TSX growth stocks to your self-directed portfolio if you seek long-term winners to buy and hold forever.

Read more »