The shares of Blinkx (LSE: BLNX) look as if theyve found an inflection point. From here, after a precipitous fall, the price could go either way.
Maybe the worst is over
The internet media platform provider revealed a half-year balance sheet carrying a hefty slug of net net cash, not a mile away from the current share price, so nows the time to look at the upside potential.
The directors sound upbeat. They think the worst is behind Blinkx and that, since July, month-on-month growth suggests trading has reached an inflection point. So, thats two inflection points one for the share price and one for trading a promising sign. The firm pins its hopes for a turnaround of fortunes on mobile-related sales, which it expects to contribute approximately 20% of revenues during the current trading period.
However, the recent half-year report brought news of a gargantuan profit collapse, and revenue generation slowed considerably during the period, amplifying the effects of seasonally slower summer months. Its tempting to look at the firms trading record and assume that it can regain past glories with profits, but thats a big ask.
A year ago, Blinkx delivered post-tax profits in excess of $10 million, the recent six month period produced a loss of almost $10 million that $20 million difference occurred over twelve short months, which is why we saw the share price plunge from 220p or so at the start of 2014 to under 30p today.
Enormous upside potential
If Blinkxs profits collapsed so fast, perhaps they can resurge just as speedily? Maybe. Lets look at the upside case:
1) Valuation
With shares trading hands at about 28p today, rather than the 220p or so they used to, we might think the valuation is lower than it was. Thats not true in terms of the firms price-to-earnings ratio, though.
Before the collapse in profits, the shares commanded a P/E rating around 27. Now, we expect the P/E of the current trading period to be measured in the hundreds. The opportunity comes with forward guidance, which indicates the P/E rating may fall closer to the thirties as the hoped-for recovery in profits materialises from a shift to mobile-generated business. Such a valuation works to encourage us when considered with point two:
2) Balance sheet strength
Back in November Blinkx revealed a debt-free balance sheet trumpeting around 19p per share in cash. The firm reports in US dollars, so, if you want to calculate the earnings per share in pence, dont forget to convert to sterling before comparing the cash balance to the number of share holders that caught me out last time!
So, given the growth potential, we might consider Blinkx good value on the strength of its balance sheet regardless of its P/E ratio. However, persistent poor profit performance could lead to the firm eating its own cash pile to survive if things dont work out as planned. Nevertheless, the strength of the balance sheet currently works in favour of an investment.
3) Share price action
The share-price chart looks encouraging. Never buy a falling share price is one of my own golden rules. The chart looks like the share-price fall is over and the shares could be turning up.
Share price trends are important because they show us the combined weight of all participating investors views. A still-falling share price shows us that investors think the firms prospects might deteriorate further. A flat share price, one that has lain still for a while, neither rising nor falling, tells us that investors dont know what to think, so we can all wait and see.
Given the apparent downside protection of the firms cash pile, this wait and see could mean that any positive news may be welcomed with a share-price rise as the market adjusts to accommodate the new forward consensus.
What next?
Its tempting to bet on Blinkx pulling off a recovery on the back of a shift to a new business model driven by mobile applications. Who knows where the share price may take us if that happens. That said, Blinkx today remains a punt, as success is far from assured. There may be bumps along the way.
Opportunity abounds on the London stock market, but going into high-risk situations such as Blinkx now puts your capital at risk of loss. I’m trying to protect the downside first and one way of doing that is to think differently from other investors. A special Motley Fool wealth report discusses that point as one of Ten Steps To Making A Million In The Market. This useful paper is available free of charge and without obligation for a short time longer. To download a copy, click here.
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Kevin Godbold has no position in any shares mentioned. The Motley Fool UK has no position in any of the shares mentioned. We Fools don’t all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.