Which Stock to Buy: Shopify (TSX:SHOP) or Lightspeed POS (TSX:LSPD)?

The e-commerce wave drove Shopify (TSX:SHOP) and Lightspeed POS (TSX:LSPD) stocks to new highs last year. Are they still worth buying?

| More on:
Question marks in a pile

Image source: Getty Images

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s premium investing services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn moresdf

Have you been making a lot of online purchases these days? The primary hand behind these online purchases is the companies that provide the software and hardware to help digitize business. They do everything from setting up an online website to providing other services such as payments, marketing, shipping, customer engagement tools, and much more. Shopify (TSX:SHOP)(NYSE:SHOP) and Lightspeed POS (TSX:LSPD)(NYSE:LSPD) are riding the e-commerce wave.

The question is, which among the two will fetch you better returns?

Shopify’s e-commerce growth

The pandemic has catapulted the adoption of e-commerce. Retailers that were reluctant to e-commerce were forced to start selling online to stay afloat. Shopify was one of the biggest beneficiaries of this wave, thanks to its diverse revenue sources. It earns revenue from subscriptions and processing fees for merchant solutions like Shopify Shipping and Shopify Capital.

The pandemic increased its U.S. e-commerce market share to 8.6% in the first quarter of 2021 from 5.9% in the first quarter of 2020, standing second to Amazon. Shopify’s 2020 revenue growth rate surged to 85% in 2020 from 47% in 2019. But its growth may normalize in 2021 as the economy opens up and some of the online shopping traffic moves back to offline mode.

Shopify’s predominant market in North America, but it plans to move to new markets and gain global share. To materialize its plans, it is offering Shopify Fulfillment Network that stores, packs, and ships orders on behalf of merchants. It is also developing an all-in-one mobile shopping assistant named SHOP. It is expanding the reach of its platform through partnerships with Facebook Shops, Walmart Marketplace, Tiktok, Instagram and others.

With all the required services under one roof, Shopify is a go-to platform for merchants. I believe its revenues will continue to soar as it adds more products and services to its bouquet.

Lightspeed’s omnichannel growth

Valued at a market cap of just $9.3 billion, Lightspeed POS pales in comparison to the $169 billion market cap of Shopify. Also, Shopify’s 2020 annual revenue of $2.9 billion is mammoth compared with the $175 million revenue of Lightspeed.

Lightspeed isn’t profitable yet. But its small size and lack of profits should not intimidate investors. The company is in its early growth stages. Huge investment in business development weighs down on its bottom line.

Lightspeed primarily caters to the restaurant and retail industry, which still operates in the brick and mortar format. COVID-19 has accelerated the online shift for these industries. Lightspeed’s niche in this area will bring strong growth in the years ahead. It is looking for speedier growth via acquisitions. Its recent acquisitions of Vend, ShopKeep, and Upserve have doubled its global customer locations.

The growing number of customers is driving Lightspeed’s Gross Total Value (GTV). Its future success depends on its ability to grow its customer base, add more solutions, cross-sell and more acquisitions.

Should you buy Shopify or Lightspeed POS?

The question is which stock to buy. When it comes to buying a stock, you pay a price, and that is where valuation comes in.

Shopify stock trades at a lofty valuation of 49 times its sales per share, but it deserves the premium given its 80% revenue growth rate. The stock is down 29% from its 52-week high. Lightspeed is also 31% off its 52-week high and is trading at 53 times its sales per share at writing.

Both the stocks are worth buying the dip. However, to me, Lightspeed looks more promising given its visible growth trajectory. The company will benefit from the reopening of brick and mortar stores and restaurants. As for Shopify, its large size will slow its growth rate.

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. Randi Zuckerberg, a former director of market development and spokeswoman for Facebook and sister to its CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. Fool contributor Puja Tayal has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. David Gardner owns shares of Amazon and Facebook. Tom Gardner owns shares of Facebook and Shopify. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Amazon, Facebook, Shopify, and Shopify. The Motley Fool owns shares of Lightspeed POS Inc and recommends the following options: long January 2023 $1140 calls on Shopify, short January 2023 $1160 calls on Shopify, long January 2022 $1920 calls on Amazon, and short January 2022 $1940 calls on Amazon.

More on Tech Stocks

A worker uses a double monitor computer screen in an office.
Tech Stocks

Why Shopify Stock Sold Off Last Week

Shopify (TSX:SHOP) sold off heavily last week. A bad earnings release may have been the culprit.

Read more »

Hand arranging wood block stacking as step stair with arrow up.
Tech Stocks

2 Phenomenal Growth Stocks Down 30-60% That Could Rally in the Next Bull Market

Is it time to buy growth stocks? The worst of the interest rate hike and inflation is over, and now…

Read more »

stock market
Tech Stocks

2 Best Tech Stocks to Buy Before the Next Bull Market

Tech stocks such as Roku and Nuvei can help long-term investors generate outsized gains in 2023 and beyond.

Read more »

Wireless technology
Tech Stocks

Tucows Stock Trades Near its 6-Year Low: Is it a Buy?  

Tucows stock fell 63% in the tech stock sell-off and has failed to show any recovery. Is this domain and…

Read more »

Male IT Specialist Holds Laptop and Discusses Work with Female Server Technician. They're Standing in Data Center, Rack Server Cabinet with Cloud Server Icon and Visualization
Tech Stocks

Is Converge Stock a Buy?

A relatively new tech stock could soar higher with the pause in rate hikes, although a resumption of the cycle…

Read more »

online shopping
Tech Stocks

Up by 25%: Is Shopify Stock Finally a Buy in 2023?

The strong rebound in the TSX’s top tech stock remains uncertain. Investors will have to wait before it delivers stellar…

Read more »

Businessman holding AI cloud
Tech Stocks

2 TSX Tech Stocks Innovating Hard in AI

Shopify (TSX:SHOP) stock and another intriguing Canadian gem make good use of AI technologies.

Read more »

worry concern
Tech Stocks

Shopify Stock: Incredible Bargain or Deceptive Trap?

Shopify has quickly shifted from a market darling to something else. Is it a safe buy or risqué bet?

Read more »