Q3 2021 Momentum-driven technology stocks to consider

By Kirsteen Mackay

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Stock picking based on momentum is a popular strategy. Here are some technology stocks that have been enjoying momentum in EPS and sales growth.

Investing in the technology sector can be a lucrative area of investment and has become very popular in recent years.

Traditionally, technology companies were those that manufacture a wide range of computer hardware and software products such as electronic components, semiconductors, and computer software packages.

Nowadays, major US technology stocks include the social aspect of technology through e-commerce and social interaction. Moreover, this is rapidly being extended to include artificial intelligence, machine learning, 5G, virtual reality, self-driving cars, robotics, drones, internet security, and much more.

Some big-name technology stocks include Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), Facebook(NASDAQ: FB), Google (Alphabet (NASDAQ: GOOGL)), Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN), and IBM (NYSE: IBM).

The technology sector covers six primary industries. These are hardware, software, semiconductors, technology, and IT services.

According to market intelligence consultancy IDC, the technology sector is the most significant stock market sector of all. It has an estimated global market value of around $5 trillion.

Momentum-driven technology stocks by EPS for Q3 2021

EPS stands for earnings per share. It is a financial ratio relating the earnings generated by the business to the number of shares in issue. The EPS refers to earnings generated during a specific time frame.

EPS growth can be a sign that a company is growing profits.

However, a rising EPS on its own does not guarantee a worthwhile investment. That’s because share buybacks will reduce shares in issue and boost the EPS.

The following technology stocks are showing momentum in EPS growth:

A10 Networks Inc

A10 Networks Inc (NYSE: ATEN) is a provider of software and hardware solutions. ATEN has a $992m market cap, total debt is $26m, while cash and equivalents are $166m. Meanwhile, the short interest on this stock is 3.7%.

A10 Networks has a forward P/E of 21. It doesn’t offer a shareholder dividend. ATEN displays EPS growth of 335% TTM, and its 2021 consensus average EPS forecast is $0.54.

Analyst consensus on this stock is a 12-month average share price target of $16.33. That gives a potential 26% upside. ATEN stock appears in 53 exchange-traded funds (ETFs). A10 Networks stock is showing momentum in EPS growth.

Cyberoptics

Cyberoptics (NASDAQ: CYBE) is a developer and manufacturer of sensing technology solutions. CYBE has a $304m market cap, total debt is $3.7m, while cash and equivalents are $16.8m. Meanwhile, the short interest on this stock is 2.1%.

Cyberoptics has a forward P/E of 30. It doesn’t offer a shareholder dividend. CYBE displays EPS growth of 239% TTM, and its 2021 consensus average EPS forecast is $1.29.

Analyst consensus on this stock is a 12-month average share price target of $50. That gives a potential 25% upside. CYBE stock appears in 13 exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Cyberoptics stock is showing momentum in EPS growth.

Shutterstock Inc

Shutterstock (NYSE: SSTK) operates a marketplace for licensed content. It licenses images, video, music, editorial assets, and custom content tailored to a brand’s needs.

SSTK has a $3.7bn market cap, total debt is $38m, while cash and equivalents are $411m. Meanwhile, the short interest on this stock is 3.3%. Shutterstock Inc has a forward P/E of 36. It also offers shareholders a 0.8% dividend yield.

SSTK displays EPS growth of 218% TTM, and its 2021 consensus average EPS forecast is $3.06. Analyst consensus on this stock is a 12-month average share price target of $118. That gives a potential 16% upside.

SSTK stock appears in 97 exchange-traded funds (ETFs). The Shutterstock share price is showing signs of momentum in EPS growth.

Onto Innovation Inc

Onto Innovation Inc (NYSE: ONTO) is a semiconductor manufacturing company. ONTO has a $3.3bn market cap, total debt is $21m, while cash and equivalents are $410m. Meanwhile, the short interest on this stock is 2.7%.

Onto Innovation Inc has a forward P/E of 17. It doesn’t offer a shareholder dividend. ONTO displays EPS growth of 177% TTM, and its 2021 consensus average EPS forecast is $3.56.

Analyst consensus on this stock is a 12-month average share price target of $90.20. That gives a potential 34% upside. ONTO stock appears in 77 exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Onto Innovation stock is showing momentum in EPS growth.

Momentum-driven technology stocks by sales growth for Q3 2021

Sales growth is an important financial metric for any business to track. If sales are increasing, the company should be thriving, whereas if sales are declining, the business may be in trouble.

To calculate the sales growth rate year over year, simply divide the current sales by the prior year’s sales. Sales growth = this year’s sales / last year’s sales.

The following technology stocks are showing momentum in sales growth:

Himax Technologies Inc

Himax Technologies Inc (NASDAQ: HIMX) is is a Taiwanese fabless semiconductor company. HIMX has a $2.1bn market cap, total debt is $159m, while cash and equivalents are $270m. Meanwhile, the short interest on this stock is 7.6%.

Himax Technologies Inc has a forward P/E of 5.5. It also offers shareholders a 2.16% dividend yield. HIMX displays EPS growth of 0% TTM, and its 2021 consensus average EPS forecast is $2.03.

Analyst consensus on this stock is a 12-month average share price target of $20.8. That gives a potential 65% upside. HIMX stock appears in 5 exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Himax Technologies is showing sales growth of 67% TTM.

Kulicke And Soffa Industries Inc

Kulicke And Soffa Industries (NASDAQ: KLIC) is is another semiconductor manufacturing company. Its headquarters are in Singapore.

KLIC has a $3.9bn market cap, total debt is $21.4m, while cash and equivalents are $635m. Meanwhile, the short interest on this stock is 3.3%.

Kulicke And Soffa Industries has a forward P/E of 9.8. It also offers shareholders a 0.88% dividend yield. KLIC displays EPS growth of 476% TTM, and its 2021 consensus average EPS forecast is $6.01.

Analyst consensus on this stock is a 12-month average share price target of $78.8. That gives a potential 24% upside. KLIC stock appears in 75 exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Kulicke And Soffa Industries is showing sales growth of 106% TTM.

Onto Innovation Inc

Onto Innovation is showing sales growth of 44% TTM.

For further details, see above in momentum-driven technology stocks by EPS.

NOVA

NOVA (NASDAQ: NVMI) is an Israeli company servicing semiconductor manufacturing with metrology devices.

NVMI has a $2.7bn market cap, total debt is $215m, while cash and equivalents are $420m. Meanwhile, the short interest on this stock is 2.7%. NOVA has a forward P/E of 25. It doesn’t offer shareholders a dividend.

NVMI displays EPS growth of 52% TTM, and its 2021 consensus average EPS forecast is $3.06. Analyst consensus on this stock is a 12-month average share price target of $113. That gives a potential 20% upside. NVMI stock appears in 30 exchange-traded funds (ETFs). NOVA is showing sales growth of 36% TTM.

Camtec

Camtec (NASDAQ: CAMT) is an Israeli optical products company operating in the semiconductor industry. CAMT has a $1.5bn market cap, total debt is $0, while cash and equivalents are $189m. Meanwhile, the short interest on this stock is 0.84%.

Camtec has a forward P/E of 21.5. It doesn’t offer shareholders a dividend. CAMT displays EPS growth of 130% TTM, and its 2021 consensus average EPS forecast is $1.53.

Analyst consensus on this stock is a 12-month average share price target of $45.6. That gives a potential 28% upside. CAMT stock appears in 9 exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Camtec is showing sales growth of 60% TTM.

Clearfield

Clearfield (NASDAQ: CLFD) is manufactures and distributes passive connectivity products using fiber. CLFD has a $558m market cap, total debt is $2.75m, while cash and equivalents are $32m. Meanwhile, the short interest on this stock is 2.6%.

Clearfield has a forward P/E of 26.6. It doesn’t offer shareholders a dividend. CLFD displays EPS growth of 154% TTM, and its 2021 consensus average EPS forecast is $1.32.

Analyst consensus on this stock is a 12-month average share price target of $45.5. That gives a potential 11% upside. CLFD stock appears in 34 exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Clearfield is showing sales growth of 36% TTM.

Conclusion

Investing in growth stocks is a popular investing strategy.

Growth investors tend to look for young or small companies with earnings they expect will rise at an above-average rate compared to industry peers and the wider sector.

Seeking out popular areas of growth or niche markets is a good starting point for investors looking for growth stocks.

For instance, the advancement of tech to service the green revolution increases demand in the semiconductor industry. Meanwhile, AI, 5G, VR/AR, and machine learning are at the cutting edge of new niche developments.

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Author: Kirsteen Mackay

This article does not provide any financial advice and is not a recommendation to deal in any securities or product. Investments may fall in value and an investor may lose some or all of their investment. Past performance is not an indicator of future performance.

Kirsteen Mackay does not hold any position in the stock(s) and/or financial instrument(s) mentioned in the above article.

Kirsteen Mackay has not been paid to produce this piece by the company or companies mentioned above.

Digitonic Ltd, the owner of ValueTheMarkets.com, does not hold a position or positions in the stock(s) and/or financial instrument(s) mentioned in the above article.

Digitonic Ltd, the owner of ValueTheMarkets.com, has not been paid for the production of this piece by the company or companies mentioned above.

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