Last year was horrific for most businesses across several industries. However, the COVID year was momentous for the TSX’s tech superstar. In May 2020, Shopify (TSX:SHOP)(NYSE:SHOP) overtook Royal Bank of Canada as the largest publicly listed company in Canada.
The online merchant platform capped 2020 with another milestone. It ranked number one in the second edition of the TSX Top 30 list. The TSX introduced the flagship program that recognizes the 30 top-performing stocks in 2019. Shopify placed second to Canopy Growth in the first edition.
The TSX will announce the new winners of the third issue of the recognition program in September 2021. Will the technology stock repeat as the top growth stock for the second consecutive year?
Outperforming tech stock
As of July 9, 2021, Shopify is the largest Canadian company on the TSX by market capitalization ($232.31 billion). RBC is second ($180.09 billion), followed by Toronto-Dominion Bank ($154.04 billion). The tech stock outperforms both bank stocks with its 35.7% year-to-date gain. It also bests the TSX’s +16.2% gain thus far in 2021.
Shopify’s total return in the last 6.14 years is 5,861.50 (94.61% CAGR). Had you invested $10,000 in May 2015 when the price was only $17 per share, you’d be a millionaire today. The current share price of $1,862.97 is 10,868.65% higher than on the first trading day.
Making entrepreneurship easy
Shopify capitalizes on the growth of digital commerce. Its merchant-first business model is the reason entrepreneurs worldwide grow their businesses. Amy Shapero, Shopify’s CFO, said, “We are focused on building a commerce operating system that will help shape the future of retail.”
The company expects the digital commerce tailwinds in 2021 to remain strong. Thus, it could still capture massive opportunities that would propel the e-commerce platform some more. For Shopify’s president, Harley Finkelstein, the singular focus is making entrepreneurship easy so that it’s easier for entrepreneurs to succeed.
Business performance and highlights
In Q1 2021 (quarter ended March 31, 2021), Shopify’s momentum isn’t stopping. More merchants choose the platform to launch their businesses and peddle their wares. Total revenue grew by 110% to $988.6 million versus Q1 2020. Merchant Solutions revenue accelerated 137% due to the significant growth in gross merchandise volume (GMV).
Notably, Shopify reported a net income of US$1.25 billion compared to the US$31.4 million net loss in the same period in 2020. Canada’s tech giant had $7.87 billion in cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities at the quarter’s end.
Shopify has two growth drivers in 2021. It continues to build the foundation of the Shopify Fulfillment Network. The focus is to optimize its software and network and introduce features that will enable merchants to have better inventory control and more flexibility to manage orders.
The development of Shop, the all-in-one mobile shopping assistant, is ongoing. As of March 31, 2021, more than 107 million registered users, including buyers, use Shop Pay and Shop App. The number of monthly active users is now over 24 million. Shopify’s cash advances to local merchants and those in the U.S. and the U.K. reached a record US$308.6 million in Q1 2021.
Still #1
I can’t think of a company that could unseat Shopify from its lofty position. The e-commerce platform should still be number one in TSX’s Top 30 list in 2021.
