Top 5 FTSE tech stocks of 2021

Highlights

• Demand for advanced technologies was particularly high in 2021 as enterprises and businesses focused on stepping up digital transformation efforts.
• When the COVID-19 pandemic bought all operations to a standstill with the imposition of lockdowns and restrictions on movement, technology solutions helped businesses sail out of difficult conditions.

Demand for advanced technologies was particularly high in 2021 as enterprises and businesses focused on stepping up digital transformation efforts to address the changing conditions. When the COVID-19 pandemic bought all operations to a standstill with the imposition of lockdowns and restrictions on movement, technology solutions helped businesses sail out of difficult conditions and maintain continuity of operations while ensuring security as individuals accessed confidential organisational data on their personal networks.

Amidst the rising demand for advanced technology solutions, investors have been attracted by the lucrative returns offered by some of the technology stocks. Currently, technology stocks are among the most sought-after investment options for investors. Below is a detailed review of top 5 technology stocks that stood out in 2021.

GSTechnologies Ltd (LON: GST)

GSTechnologies Limited is an information technology and fintech solutions provider. GSTechnologies has successfully completed testing of all four Wise MPay’s enterprise chains, along with the deployment of a mainnet upgrade on its Coalculus platform.

In November, GSTechnologies raised £1.0 million funding through a placing of 50,000,000 shares at 2.0 pence per share.  It also concluded the acquisition of Angra Limited post approval from the Financial Conduct Authority.

GSTechnologies’ total income and total comprehensive loss stood at US$3.41 million and US$0.33 million, respectively, for the year ended 31 March 2021.

The shares of GSTechnologies have given a year-to-date (YTD) return of 1,569.0% to shareholders, and the company’s market cap currently stands at £35.94 million.

Argo Blockchain Plc (LON: ARB)

Argo Blockchain is a leading cryptocurrency mining firm. It focuses on the use of renewable energy sources for the development of blockchain technologies. In October 2021, Argo Blockchain mined 167 Bitcoin or Bitcoin equivalents up from 165 BTC in September. The total amount of BTC mined year-to-date was 1,646 BTC.

The company’s mining revenue for October was £7.24 million ($9.75 million), up from £5.50 million in September 2021. At the end of October, Argo Blockchain owned 2,128 BTC. Argo Blockchain added 220 PH/s, bringing its mining capacity to 1.295 EH/s as of 31 October 2021.

The shares of Argo Blockchain have given a year-to-date return of 327.3% to shareholders, and the company’s market cap currently stands at £660.00 million.

Universe Group Plc (LON:UNG)

Universe Group plc is a provider of retail management solutions. The company is engaged in designing, building, installing and supporting systems in over 5,700 retail sites that can process more than 15 billion transactions annually through its data centres. In November, Universe Group and Inform Information Systems Limited entered an acquisition agreement for approximately £33.1 million. The company also inked a £4.4 million supply agreement with a major existing retail customer for outdoor payment terminals.

Universe Group’s revenues were up by 19.8% year-on-year to £11.70 million in H1 2021 compared to £9.77 million in H1 2020. Its operating loss rose to £0.96 million during the period from the previous year’s operating loss of £0.65 million.

The shares of Universe Group have given a year-to-date return of 194.9% to shareholders, and the company’s market cap currently stands at £30.02 million.

Triad Group Plc (LON: TRD)

Triad Group is a provider of information technology development and consultancy services to the central government. Triad Group’s revenue stood at £8.58 million in H1 2021, down slightly from £8.73 million in H1 2020. Its profit before tax increased to £0.67 million in H1 2021 from £1k in H1 2020.

Triad Group’s board announced an interim dividend payout of 2.0 pence per share to shareholders for H1 2021 ended 30 September.

The shares of Triad Group have given a year-to-date return of 134.5% to shareholders, and the company’s market cap currently stands at £18.76 million.

Kape Technologies Plc (LON: KAPE)

Kape Technologies is a provider of digital security software. In September, Kape Technologies announced the acquisition of a virtual private network (VPN) company – ExpressVPN, for a consideration of $936 million.

Kape Technologies’ revenues increased by 61.9% year-on-year to $95.5 million in H1 2021 ended 30 June, compared to $59.0 million in H1 2020. Its operating profit was up 299% to $13.6 million in H1 2021 compared to the previous year’s $3.4 million.

The shares of Kape Technologies have given a year-to-date return of 113.9% to shareholders, and the company’s market cap currently stands at £1,204.52 million.