Constellation Software could be the best compounder ever, this fund manager says

Raymond James Investment Council portfolio manager Chris Blumas said on BNN Bloomberg’s Market Call on Oct. 15 that he continues to view Constellation Software (Constellation Software Stock Quote, Chart, News, Analysts, Financials TSX:CSU) as one of the best compounders ever created, calling the recent weakness in the stock a buying opportunity at attractive valuations.

“This is just a phenomenal compounder,” Blumas said. “It could likely be the best compounder ever created. You think of it as one company, but it’s really six different operating subsidiaries that all do something similar. They’re the masters of the small deal; buying businesses other people don’t even know to buy, often at four or five times cash flow. Their whole infrastructure is essentially a private equity firm that focuses on software.”

Blumas said the recent selloff, partly tied to market fears about AI and Constellation’s cautious comments on a recent conference call, created an opportunity to buy the stock near its five-year median multiple.

Constellation shares have fallen 10.11% over the past year but are up 191.2% over the past five years.

“You’re going to get solid growth and there’s a higher likelihood of multiple expansion from here,” Blumas said. “This is one that I like and would be happy to buy today.”

He added that concerns about artificial intelligence disrupting Constellation’s software portfolio are overstated.

“This is a combination of more than a thousand businesses,” Blumas said. “If AI disproportionately impacted one or two, it wouldn’t take down the ship. It’s a lot different than Intuit or Salesforce, where they depend on a handful of dominant products. Constellation’s defence comes from its diversification; a thousand very small software operators give it much more embedded resilience against AI disruption.”

Of the analysts covering the stock, nine rate it “Buy,” three “Hold,” and none “Sell,” with a consensus target price of US$5,360.42.

The shares closed Oct. 16 at $3,855.64.

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