Do These ASX Tech Highflyers Still have Steam Left?

Team Veye | 28-Nov-2024

Identifying potential growth companies often comes with a dilemma. If these have become overbought and is there further upside potential. However, stocks with good business models and fundamentals often resolve overbought issue by time correction or minor retracements. The best growth stocks to buy now are

Xero Limited (ASX: XRO)

Xero Limited (ASX: XRO) reported a strong performance for the half year ending 30 September 2024 (H1 FY25), showing continued growth and effective execution. Operating revenue increased by 25% to $995.9 million, with a notable rise in annualised monthly recurring revenue (AMRR) by 22%, reaching $2.2 billion. The company achieved a 51% increase in EBITDA to $311.7 million, and free cash flow surged to $208.7 million, contributing to a free cash flow margin of 21%, up from 13.3% the previous year. 

Xero is among the top growth stocks, its growth being driven by a balanced strategy, focusing on adding more subscribers and increasing revenue per user (ARPU) in its main markets. In Australia and New Zealand, Xero saw revenue rise by 24% (23% in constant currency) to $567 million, with 84,000 new subscribers in Australia and 9,000 in New Zealand. International markets also saw strong results, with revenue growing by 25% (23% in constant currency) to $428.8 million, and ARPU rising 20% to $45.59. Despite the removal of long idle subscriptions, Xero added 186,000 net new subscribers, reinforcing its market position. Product development also accelerated, with new features like Tap to Pay in the Xero Accounting mobile app and new integrations, including the acquisition of Sy Analytics to enhance reporting and analytics capabilities for customers.

Xero’s focus on building solutions aligned with its "Win the 3x3" priority contributed to the company’s momentum. This includes ongoing product improvements and new partnerships, such as the extended collaboration with payroll partner Gusto for a new embedded payroll solution in the US. Xero’s market growth in regions like the UK, North America, and the Rest of World was also driven by continued cloud adoption, with strong momentum in the UK and solid growth in the US despite a seasonally weaker half. Xero’s international markets, particularly in South Africa, continued to deliver robust revenue growth. The company’s disciplined investment approach and purposeful mergers and acquisitions were key to supporting its ongoing strategy to provide seamless, value-driven solutions for small businesses.  

Life360, Inc. (NASDAQ: LIF) (ASX: 360)

Life360, Inc. delivered an impressive Q3 FY24 performance, reflecting strong execution across its subscription, advertising, and hardware businesses. The company achieved record highs in Monthly Active Users (MAUs), Paying Circles, and Subscription Revenue, marking an 18% YoY increase in total revenue to $92.9M. Core subscription revenue was a standout, growing 34% YoY to $66.2M, while Annualized Monthly Revenue (AMR) increased 30% YoY to $336.2M. The U.S. back-to-school period proved to be a significant growth driver, contributing to 6.3M net new MAUs (+32% YoY) and a record 159K net new Paying Circles (+35% YoY). This brought total Paying Circles to 2.2M, supported by improved conversion and retention rates. Average Revenue Per Paying Circle (ARPPC) grew 6% YoY due to a shift toward higher-priced products and successful premium tier launches in international markets such as the UK and ANZ. Life360 also made significant strides in international markets, with international MAUs rising 51% YoY and Paying Circles increasing 37% YoY. Enhanced pricing strategies and product mix optimization in these regions drove a 53% YoY increase in ARPPC, showcasing the company’s ability to scale globally while capturing higher-value customers.

The advertising business demonstrated early potential, highlighted by the Uber partnership, which leverages Life360’s first-party location data to deliver highly relevant offers. Initial results significantly outperformed industry benchmarks, validating the platform’s ability to monetize user signals. Management envisions advertising as a future revenue stream comparable in scale to its subscription business, supported by ongoing backend and sales platform development. On the hardware front, the launch of Life360’s in-house designed Tile lineup positioned the company as a differentiated player in safety devices, integrating unique SOS functionality. Despite temporary supply chain disruptions, direct-to-consumer sales doubled YoY in the first six weeks post-launch. Management is optimistic about Black Friday sales setting a new baseline. Looking ahead, the planned launch of GPS-based pet and elder care devices in 2025-2026 represents an additional avenue for subscription growth.

Profitability remains a core focus. Life360 reported its eighth consecutive quarter of positive Adjusted EBITDA at $9.0M, a 64% YoY improvement, alongside a 55% YoY increase in positive operating cash flow to $6.3M. The company achieved its first net income ($7.7M) in the period, driven by a one-time investment gain and a tax benefit. With disciplined cost management (operating expenses up 10% YoY vs. 18% revenue growth), Life360 remains on track to achieve sustained positive EBITDA by 2025. Guidance for FY24 reflects continued confidence, with consolidated revenue expected at $368M-$374M (+25% YoY in core subscription revenue), positive Adjusted EBITDA of $39M-$42M, and a year-end cash balance of $150M-$160M. Strategic partnerships with Placer.ai and Hubble further enhance its growth trajectory, bolstering data monetization and hardware capabilities. Life360’s Q3 results underscore the scalability of its subscription-led model, international expansion, and emerging advertising and hardware strategies, positioning the company for sustained growth and profitability.

Source: Company’s Report

Disclaimer

Veye Pty Ltd(ABN 58 623 120 865), holds (AFSL No. 523157 ). All information provided by Veye Pty Ltd through its website, reports, and newsletters is general financial product advice only and should not be considered a personal recommendation to buy or sell any asset or security. Before acting on the advice, you should consider whether it’s appropriate to you, in light of your objectives, financial situation, or needs. You should look at the Product Disclosure Statement or other offer document associated with the security or product before making a decision on acquiring the security or product. You can refer to our Terms & Conditions and Financial Services Guide for more information. Any recommendation contained herein may not be suitable for all investors as it does not take into account your personal financial needs or investment objectives. Although Veye takes the utmost care to ensure accuracy of the content and that the information is gathered and processed from reliable resources, we strongly recommend that you seek professional advice from your financial advisor or stockbroker before making any investment decision based on any of our recommendations. All the information we share represents our views on the date of publishing as stocks are subject to real time changes and therefore may change without notice. Please remember that investments can go up and down and past performance is not necessarily indicative of future returns. We request our readers not to interpret our reports as direct recommendations. To the extent permitted by law, Veye Pty Ltd excludes all liability for any loss or damage arising from the use of this website and any information published (including any indirect or consequential loss, any data loss, or data corruption) (as mentioned on the website www.veye.com.au), and confirms that the employees and/or associates of Veye Pty Ltd do not hold positions in any of the financial products covered on the website on the date of publishing this report. Veye Pty Ltd hereby limits its liability, to the extent permitted by law to the resupply of services.

veye logo

Grab Your Free Report On 5 ASX Dividend Stocks To Buy In 2024

(+61)

DIVIDEND
INVESTER REPORT

Dividend-Investor-Report

Each week we cover companies offering a good combination of growth & dividends, maintaining a balance between stable 'cash flow' and risker 'raising stars'. Our guidance helps you choose companies with regular dividends and opportunities for lower-risk capital growth.

  • The best High Yield Dividend Stocks picked by our team of analysts every week.
  • Detailed in-depth Analysis with our expert Recommendations Buy, Hold or Sell.
  • Free Daily Analysis Report to keep up with the latest on what's hot and what's not.
  • Gain instant access to a wide range of Dividend Share Reports, exclusive to members only.
Frequency: Every Tuesday