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3 Buy-Rated Tech Stocks With Big Growth and Cheap Valuation

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Investors love technology stocks, as their rapid growth and market momentum are undeniably attractive.

Still, many point to the high valuations commonly found within these stocks, steering away those with a value-conscious approach. And with the sector’s massive run in 2023, many are feeling that technology stocks have gotten a bit rich.

However, they’re not all expensive.

Several stocks from the Zacks Computer and Technology sector – Juniper Networks (JNPR - Free Report) , StoneCo (STNE - Free Report) , and RingCentral (RNG - Free Report) – all carry impressive growth expectations paired with sound valuations.

For those seeking a blend of value and growth, let’s take a closer look at each.

Juniper Networks

Juniper Networks, a current Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), is a leading provider of networking solutions and communication devices. Analysts have been particularly bullish for the company’s current fiscal year (FY23), with the $2.35 per share estimate up nearly 8% since July 2022.

JNPR shares currently trade at a 12.8X forward earnings multiple (F1), nicely beneath the 20.8X five-year median. In addition, the forward price-to-sales (F1) presently sits at 1.7X, modestly below the five-year median.

Both values reside below the Zacks – Wireless Equipment industry average.

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

As mentioned above, the company’s growth expectations remain solid; earnings are forecasted to see 20% growth on 10% higher sales in FY23. And in FY24, estimates allude to a further 7% Y/Y uptick in earnings paired with 3% revenue growth.

JNPR could also entice income-focused investors, with shares currently yielding a solid 2.9% annually paired with a 4% five-year annualized dividend growth rate.

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

StoneCo

StoneCo offers an end-to-end cloud-based technology platform to conduct electronic commerce across in-store, online, and mobile channels. The stock sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), with earnings expectations drifting higher across several timeframes.

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

It’s difficult to ignore the company’s growth expectations, with estimates alluding to 115% earnings growth in its current fiscal year (FY23) and a further 20% in FY24. Revenue growth is also apparent, forecasted to improve by 4.4% in FY23 and 7.8% in FY24.

StoneCo shares have become notably cheap on a relative basis given the company’s favorable growth trajectory, with the current 17.4X forward earnings multiple (F1) a fraction of the 45.5X five-year median. The forward price-to-sales (F1) works out to be 1.9X, again a fraction of the steep 14.1X five-year median.

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

RingCentral

RingCentral, a current Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), provides businesses with cloud-based communication and collaboration products and services. The company has enjoyed positive earnings estimate revisions for its current fiscal year (FY23), with the $3.23 per share estimate up a sizable 33% since July of 2022.

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

RNG shares presently trade at a 12.3X forward earnings multiple (F1), a fraction of the 29.9X average within the Zacks – Internet and Software Services industry. Further, the current forward price-to-sales (F1) resides at 1.7X, nowhere near the steep 11.5X five-year median.

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

RNG posted solid results in its latest quarter, exceeding the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate by 10% and delivering a positive 1% revenue surprise. The company’s top-line growth has been mighty impressive, as we can see in the chart below.

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

And the growth is slated to continue, with estimates calling for 62% earnings growth on 10% higher revenues in FY23. Looking ahead to FY24, expectations reflect a further 13% bump in earnings paired with a 10% sales climb.

Bottom Line

Tech stocks have consistently been a favorite in the market, as their momentum and growth are difficult to ignore. However, some point to their high valuations, steering away potential investors who are looking for a ‘deal.’

Still, all three technology stocks above – Juniper Networks (JNPR - Free Report) , StoneCo (STNE - Free Report) , and RingCentral (RNG - Free Report) – all carry impressive growth expectations paired with sound valuations.

In addition, all three sport a favorable Zacks Rank, indicating optimism among analysts.


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Juniper Networks, Inc. (JNPR) - free report >>

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