With inflation debates heating up again, Cathie Wood’s latest comments about cooler underlying price pressures and potential support from the Federal Reserve have put growth-oriented technology stocks back in focus. If inflation is closer to 2% than headline data suggests and policy eventually leans more toward supporting growth, companies with strong revenue expansion, solid balance sheets, and moderate volatility could stand out. This article looks at how that backdrop connects to our Growth-oriented Technology Stocks screener and reveals 3 stocks that appear positively exposed to the current macro story, helping you decide whether they deserve a spot on your watchlist.

Samsara (IOT)

Overview: Samsara is an IoT software company that connects data from fleets, equipment, and industrial sites into a single cloud platform so customers can monitor vehicles, improve driver safety, and manage operations in real time. Its tools use AI, cameras, and sensors to help sectors like transportation, construction, logistics, and public services cut costs, reduce accidents, and respond faster to issues on the ground.

Operations: Samsara generates about US$1.73b in revenue from Software & Programming, with roughly US$1.48b coming from the United States and around US$255.6m from other regions.

Market Cap: US$18.2b

Against the backdrop of falling inflation worries and the prospect of more supportive policy for growth stocks, Samsara provides exposure to a profitable IoT and AI platform that is tightly linked to real world cost savings. The company is now GAAP profitable with ARR near US$2b, strong large customer momentum, and new AI products like Agent Studio and shipment tracking tools that aim to automate manual work and address cost pressures. At the same time, a rich P/S multiple, insider selling, governance turnover, and reliance on external borrowings mean the stock carries risks, which is one reason many investors are looking more closely at what they might be missing in Samsara’s story.

Samsara’s shift to GAAP profitability and nearly US$2b in ARR creates a powerful story of scale, but the rich P/S and insider moves raise real questions. Get the full context with the 3 key rewards and 1 important warning sign

AppFolio (APPF)

Overview: AppFolio is a US based software company that provides a cloud platform for property managers, investors, residents, and vendors to handle accounting, leasing, marketing, maintenance, and communication in one place, with premium tiers adding deeper analytics, CRM tools, and AI powered workflow automation.

Operations: AppFolio generates about US$995.3m in revenue from its cloud based business management software and value added platforms, all from customers in the United States.

Market Cap: US$5.26b

AppFolio stands out in a growth focused tech screen because its real estate workflow software sits at the crossroads of AI adoption and rate sensitive housing cycles. The company reports recurring cloud revenue, strong cash flow, and a reported ROE of 32.3%. Management is focusing on agentic AI tools that automate leasing, accounting, and resident support. These initiatives are intended to support future margin expansion, with profit margins recently moving from 23.9% to 15.3%. At the same time, insider selling, heavy reliance on external borrowings, and a premium P/E highlight execution risk if domestic real estate conditions or AI competition change. These are areas where many investors may want a deeper look before deciding how AppFolio fits into a growth oriented portfolio.

AppFolio’s agentic AI push and 32.3% ROE are grabbing attention, but the premium P/E and shifting profit margins mean the full story is less straightforward, so it is worth reviewing the 3 key rewards and 2 important warning signs

Megaport (ASX:MP1)

Overview: Megaport operates a global software defined networking platform that lets businesses connect quickly and flexibly to major cloud providers, data centers, and internet services without locking into long term hardware contracts. By offering on demand connections for hybrid cloud, cloud to cloud, and secure data center links, Megaport helps enterprises move data where it is needed while keeping performance high and complexity lower.

Operations: Megaport generates about A$150.1m of revenue from The Americas, A$63.6m from Asia Pacific, and A$41.5m from Europe.

Market Cap: A$3.7b

Megaport is drawing attention because it sits at the heart of cloud and AI data flows, where lower underlying inflation and a more growth friendly policy stance could make it easier for customers to keep investing in network upgrades. The business is still loss making with negative ROE and relies heavily on external borrowing. Analysts expect strong revenue and earnings growth and see benefits from new services like Megaport Storage and built in DDoS protection that tie storage, security, and connectivity into one platform. The recent equity raise and governance refresh show management leaning into expansion, which could either set up a powerful compounding story or expose investors to capital intensity and competition risks they may not fully appreciate yet.

Megaport’s expanding role in global cloud and AI traffic is exciting, but the recent equity raise and heavy borrowing hint at a different story beneath the surface. Review the Megaport financial health report for more detail.

The three stocks in this Growth-oriented Technology Stocks idea are just a starting point, and the full Growth-oriented Technology Stocks screener surfaces 28 more companies with similarly compelling growth, balance sheet, and volatility profiles. Use Simply Wall St to identify and analyze the specific catalysts and narratives that matter most to you so you can focus on the highest conviction opportunities in this theme.

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This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.