Should I buy Phunware stock in 2025?

What is Phunware?

How much is the Phunware stock?

The price of Phunware stock is falling this week. As of now, the share trades at $2.98 USD, showing a 1.65% decline over the past 24 hours and a drop of 2.30% this week. Phunware’s market capitalisation stands at $61.12 million USD, with an average three-month daily volume of 252,385 shares.

The company currently does not report a P/E Ratio, pays no dividend, and has a stock beta of 1.41, indicating above-average volatility.

With these sharp movements, investors in New Zealand should be aware that Phunware’s shares can see significant price swings over short periods.

Our full analysis on the Phunware stock

Having conducted a rigorous review of Phunware’s latest published financials and three-year stock trajectory, complemented by advanced analysis of technical movements, sector trends, peer comparison, and proprietary market data algorithms, we bring forward an in-depth view of this dynamic Nasdaq-listed mobile software innovator. In a sector defined by volatility but also by immense innovation potential, Phunware presents a compelling profile for investors ready to capture emerging upside. So, why might Phunware stock once again become a strategic entry point into the next generation of mobile and AI-powered digital solutions in 2025?

Recent Performance and Market Context

Over the past year, Phunware (NASDAQ: PHUN) shares have undergone meaningful correction, with the current price at $2.98 USD reflecting a 56.69% decrease year-on-year and a 35.78% decline over six months. While this contraction underscores broader tech sector volatility as US and global equity markets adjusted to rising interest rates and tightening liquidity, it has also created a markedly discounted entry zone for investors seeking exposure to next-gen mobile and AI software.

Notably, the company’s 52-week range—$2.22 to $14.60—indicates significant historical momentum, with the present price near multi-quarter lows. This consolidation phase follows a period of market recalibration and, crucially, has unfolded alongside steady operational execution: Phunware outperformed Q1 revenue expectations by 14.67%, posted sequential service revenue growth of 40%, and secured new major client wins in hospitality and healthcare.

Meanwhile, sector tailwinds are gathering force. The global digital transformation in real estate, hospitality, and healthcare—Phunware’s core verticals—remains a leading theme for 2025. Generative AI integration, automation, and guest experience innovation are rapidly moving from optional to imperative. For investors in New Zealand and other developed markets, Phunware’s positioning aligns directly with these secular trends, providing a gateway to high-growth technology themes amid a broader global recovery.

Technical Analysis

A closer look at the technical framework reveals a constructive setup favouring accumulation. With a 14-day RSI hovering in the neutral range (52–59), Phunware sits neither overbought nor oversold, suggesting room for directional moves without the immediate risk of exhaustion. The MACD indicator, registering around +0.05 to +0.06, provides a light but positive buy signal, supporting momentum continuation from its current base.

Moving averages yield mixed outcomes—a typical feature in consolidation phases—yet short-term analyses display 92.86% bullish signals, reflecting emerging optimism for tactical buyers. Key support at $2.22 (52-week low) is well-defined and has recently been defended, while the first major resistance at $3.08 is within tangible reach. The wide resistance at $14.60 highlights upside potential on any outsized positive re-rating or catalyst.

From a short- and medium-term technical perspective, the combination of stable support, improving momentum, and technical clustering is consistent with stocks on the cusp of a reversal. This environment historically offers fertile conditions for astute investors looking to establish or build positions ahead of broader consensus moves.

Fundamental Analysis

Despite the headline contraction in total revenue ($0.688M in Q1 2025, down 25.3% year-on-year), Phunware’s most strategically relevant business segments are expanding rapidly. Revenue from software and services rose by 40%, reflecting successful focus on recurring, high-margin activities. The gross margin improved to 52%, a strong metric for a sub-$100M market cap tech firm, while the net loss per share improved substantially (-$0.18 versus -$0.33 a year prior) and is in line with analyst expectations.

Phunware’s substantial cash position—$109.7M—underpins its ability to fund research, scale operations, and pursue targeted acquisitions or IP monetisation without dilution risk. The company’s price/book ratio of 0.58 suggests it trades at a significant discount to net asset value, while its market cap, even after contraction, positions it well below sector median for AI/Software plays—often a sign of latent valuation opportunity.

Strategically, Phunware’s core strengths encompass:

• Proprietary AI-driven mobile application platforms for high-value verticals (hospitality, healthcare, real estate)
• A deep and expanding patent portfolio, with ongoing IP monetisation initiatives
• Demonstrated ability to land and expand major clients, as proven by new customer wins and healthcare contracts in 2025
• Recognition as an innovator, underscored by active development in AI, mobile user experiences, and digital transformation

In the context of an AI-driven sector upcycle, these attributes collectively support the thesis that Phunware’s underlying business has more embedded value than might appear from headline trailing revenues.

Volume and Liquidity

Phunware’s average daily traded volume stands at 252,385 shares—robust for a small-cap US tech play—signalling durable investor engagement and ample liquidity for institutional as well as sophisticated retail participants. The free float is essentially the entire issued share base (20.06M of 20.17M total shares), meaning price discovery is dynamic and susceptible to momentum surges on news, results, or sector rotation. Such liquidity, together with a tradable tight float, typically facilitates rapid price movement when sentiment pivots, often benefitting early-mover investors and active traders alike.

Catalysts and Positive Outlook

Phunware’s forward prospects are characterised by multiple high-impact catalysts poised to redefine its value proposition:

• AI Personal Concierge Launch (mid-2025): Phunware is on the cusp of releasing an advanced AI-powered personal concierge solution for the hospitality sector, positioning it at the vanguard of guest experience innovation. Early client adoption and vertical expansion provide powerful levers for accelerated revenue growth.
• Healthcare Expansion: New multi-site healthcare contracts, such as the recent $0.5M agreement, highlight both breadth and durability of demand for the company’s enterprise solutions.
• Generative AI Platform: The development pipeline includes a generative AI platform targeting wider applications, expected to deepen engagement and multiply addressable market opportunities.
• Patent Monetisation: With a well-developed IP portfolio, forthcoming licensing initiatives or even strategic transactions could drive significant non-dilutive value creation.
• Leadership Enhancements: Recent board additions bring Fortune 500 leadership experience, adding rigour and expanded networks at a critical inflection point.

Sector context remains powerfully supportive—with digital transformation, automation, and guest experience upgrades at the centre of global enterprise spend. Regulatory environments are increasingly favourable to digital, AI-driven engagement models, further lowering barriers to scaling. For NZ investors in particular, Phunware offers a direct conduit to US technology innovation at a stage where upside is both plausible and potentially asymmetric.

Investment Strategies

Phunware’s recent price action and technical structure present arguments for multiple, distinct investment horizons:

• Short-Term: Tactical participants may find reward in establishing positions at or near the $2.98 support zone, with a view to capturing movement towards $3.08 and beyond, driven by near-term news or pre-earnings speculation.
• Medium-Term: With the AI Personal Concierge launch approaching and new contract momentum building, a medium-term horizon captures upcoming catalyst-driven re-ratings—especially if uptake exceeds expectations or the company announces further healthcare/hospitality partnerships.
• Long-Term: For patient investors, Phunware’s strong cash reserves, persistent R&D commitment, and sectoral tailwinds suggest opportunity to participate in a multi-year recovery as the firm operationalises its vision for AI-powered mobile solutions.

Ideal positioning, from a technical and cyclical perspective, arguably coincides with the current consolidation phase near strong technical lows and ahead of an exceptional catalyst pipeline.

Is It the Right Time to Buy Phunware?

Taken together, Phunware’s current set-up seems to represent an excellent opportunity for those seeking high-upside exposure in the rapidly evolving domains of mobile software and AI integration. The stock’s depressed valuation, robust balance sheet, innovative product pipeline, and increasing commercial traction all justify renewed investor interest. With tangible catalysts visible on the near-term horizon—and a technical picture tilted towards bullish accumulation—Phunware may be entering a new growth phase.

For New Zealand investors looking beyond their domestic market towards transformative global tech opportunities, Phunware provides accessible, risk-managed leverage to the resurgence in digital transformation. As the countdown to key product launches and the next earnings results advances, the case for considering Phunware as a strategic portfolio addition grows increasingly compelling.

The confluence of contrarian valuation, strong liquidity, and imminent catalysts suggests that Phunware is a name that merits close attention in the months ahead—offering a rare intersection of innovation, operational improvement, and significant upside potential for well-positioned investors.

How to buy Phunware stock in New Zealand?

Buying Phunware stock online is straightforward and secure for New Zealand investors when you use a reputable, regulated broker. You have the flexibility to invest directly in shares (spot buying), or to speculate on price movements through Contracts for Difference (CFDs). Each method offers different advantages depending on your strategy and risk profile. Further down the page, you'll find a detailed comparison of popular NZ-friendly brokers to help you make an informed choice.

Spot buying

When you make a cash purchase of Phunware stock, you become a direct shareholder and own the actual shares, benefiting from any potential capital gains or future dividends (note: Phunware currently does not pay a dividend). Most New Zealand brokers charge a fixed commission per trade—this is typically around NZD 5–10 per order, depending on the platform.

Example

Suppose the Phunware share price is USD 2.98 (approximately NZD 4.80, using a 1.61 NZD/USD exchange rate). With a NZD 1,000 investment (about USD 621), and factoring in a NZD 5 brokerage fee, you could buy around 207 shares (1,000 - 5 = 995 NZD; 995 / 4.80 ≈ 207 shares).
✔️ Gain scenario: If the Phunware share price rises by 10%, your investment value increases to NZD 1,100.
Result: That’s a gross gain of +NZD 100, or +10% on your initial investment (excluding currency fluctuation and tax).

Trading via CFD

CFD (Contract for Difference) trading allows you to speculate on Phunware share price movements without owning the underlying shares. With CFDs, you can use leverage (typically up to 5x for shares with regulated brokers), meaning you control a larger position with less initial capital. Fees include a spread (the difference between buy/sell prices), and overnight financing if you hold a leveraged position beyond market close.

Example

With a NZD 1,000 deposit and 5x leverage, you gain NZD 5,000 worth of market exposure.
✔️ Gain scenario: If the Phunware share price rises by 8%, your position earns 8% × 5 = 40%.
Result: You make a profit of NZD 400 (excluding the impact of spreads and overnight fees), based on your original NZD 1,000 stake.

Final advice

Before investing, it’s crucial to compare available brokers’ fees, platform features, and trading conditions—this can have a significant impact on your returns and security. Whether you choose to own shares outright or trade via CFDs depends on your risk appetite, investment timeline, and financial goals. Review our broker comparison further down the page to find the most suitable option for you as a NZ investor.

Our 7 tips for buying Phunware stock

The latest news about Phunware

Phunware exceeded Q1 2025 revenue expectations by reporting results 14.67% above consensus forecasts. The company’s Q1 financials revealed revenues of $0.688M, outperforming analyst expectations and demonstrating notable momentum in its core software and services segment, which grew 40% year-over-year to $0.6M. While overall revenue declined compared to Q1 2024, the improvement in EPS to -$0.18 (from -$0.33) and the stable gross margin of 52% support a narrative of operational recovery. These resilient metrics may be viewed positively by New Zealand-based analysts seeking signs of stabilization in small-cap US tech, especially those tracking mobile and AI innovation and with a preference for companies beating earnings consensus.

The company secured three new hospitality clients in Q1 2025 and a $0.5M healthcare contract for Q2, underscoring strategic sector penetration. This expansion into hotels and healthcare facilities highlights Phunware’s ability to diversify end-market exposure, which is relevant for NZ investors interested in cross-vertical technology adoption. These wins, coupled with the company’s ongoing roll-out of vertical-specific mobile and AI solutions, align with regional trends in hospitality-tech in Australasia, where demand for digital guest services is robust and where NZ’s own tourism and healthcare operators often benchmark against US innovations.

Phunware is preparing to launch an AI Personal Concierge platform for hospitality mid-2025, reinforcing its technological leadership. The upcoming AI-powered concierge product, designed to streamline guest experience and boost operational efficiency for hotels, is especially pertinent given New Zealand’s substantial hospitality market and its proactive posture toward digital transformation in tourism infrastructure. This launch may serve as a potential catalyst for positive sentiment among NZ-based investors and could become a model reference for local hotels considering AI-driven guest engagement solutions.

The company maintains a robust cash position of $109.7M, enabling R&D and potential acquisitions despite near-term revenue headwinds. Phunware’s balance sheet strength provides a solid foundation for continued investment in artificial intelligence, software development, and global expansion. For financial analysts in New Zealand, this cash buffer is particularly relevant, as companies with strong liquidity are better positioned to weather macroeconomic volatility and to capitalize swiftly on M&A opportunities, especially in rapidly evolving sectors such as mobile and AI applications.

Analysts sustain a “Buy” consensus with a target price of $7.50, indicating optimism about recovery and growth prospects. Despite historical share price declines, current technical signals are neutral to slightly bullish (with 92.86% of short-term moving average signals being positive) and the stock trades at a considerable discount to consensus valuation. NZ-based investors tracking stocks with high potential rebound and innovative sector focus may find this combination of positive analyst outlook and constructive technical signals a promising backdrop for strategic monitoring.

FAQ

P. Laurore

Finance expert

Co-founder of HelloSafe and holder of a Master's degree in finance, Pauline has recognised expertise in personal finance, which she uses to help users better understand and optimise their financial choices. At HelloSafe, Pauline plays a key role in designing clear, educational content on savings, investments and personal finance. Passionate about financial education, Pauline strives, with every piece of content she oversees, to provide reliable, transparent and unbiased information for independent and informed financial management. To this end, she has tested over 100 trading platforms to help internet users make the right choices.