Should I buy Vista Group International stock in 2025?

What is Vista Group International?

How much is the Vista Group International stock?

The price of Vista Group International stock is rising this week. As of now, the share trades at NZ$3.69, with a 24-hour gain of +NZ$0.24 (+6.96%) but a weekly change of -5.43%. The company’s market capitalisation stands at NZ$881.3 million, and average trading volume over the past three months is 208,442 shares. No P/E ratio is shown due to negative earnings, and the dividend yield is 0.00%. The stock’s beta is stable at 0.98–0.99. Given the recent positive momentum and overall market optimism, Vista Group offers an attractive option for investors seeking growth in the NZ tech sector, though price swings remain possible.

Our full analysis on the Vista Group International stock

Following a comprehensive review of Vista Group International’s latest financial results and a close examination of the stock’s trajectory over the last three years, our analysis leverages a blend of advanced technical indicators, fundamental metrics, market data, and peer benchmarking, all run through our proprietary algorithms. The resulting composite view is distinctly positive, highlighting strengthening operational momentum and elevated investor interest in this market-leading New Zealand tech name. So, why might Vista Group International once again become a strategic entry point into the global cinema tech sector in 2025?

Recent Performance and Market Context

Vista Group International (NZX: VGL) has demonstrated notable resilience and strong appreciation over the past twelve months. As of 30 May 2025, the stock trades at NZ$3.69, representing an impressive +72.4% gain over the previous year and a robust +25.1% return over the last six months—even after absorbing a brief, healthy pullback in late May that saw the share price dip 5.4% over the past week. Intraday volatility has recently tilted bullish, with a notable +7% swing upward, reflecting reinvigorated buying interest post-earnings.

Driving these gains, Vista reported record full-year 2024 revenue of NZ$150 million, far outpacing pre-pandemic levels and underlining the company’s successful expansionary pivot. Investor sentiment remains buoyed by a resurgent cinema industry, especially in North America where Vista has inked several key new agreements and where box office rebounds are translating into recurrent software demand.

The broader macro context supports a continued upswing:

• The global cinema industry is experiencing a strong revival post-COVID, with blockbuster releases and pent-up entertainment demand.
• SaaS adoption is accelerating sector-wide, with technology spending up as operators seek efficiency and data-driven solutions.
• The New Zealand tech sector has received positive attention globally, attracting international capital and validating local champions like Vista.

All these factors converge to make VGL a sought-after New Zealand midcap tech play with promising relative and absolute upside in 2025.

Technical Analysis

Vista’s technical structure has turned decisively favourable, especially as momentum builds off a base formed over the past 12–18 months.

Key signals:

• Relative Strength Index (RSI, 14 days): Recent readings oscillate between 47.9 and 68.0, a transition from neutral to moderate bullish. Critically, there is no sign of overbought exuberance, leaving room for further upside.
• MACD (12,26): Marginally positive (−0.04 to +0.03), reflecting a nascent buy signal that often precedes sustained upward trends.
• Moving Averages:
• 5-day: NZ$3.18–3.33 (decisive buy signal)
• 20- and 50-day: Slightly lagging (neutral to mild sell) after the recent surge, offering potential entry prices on any weakness
• 200-day: NZ$2.92–3.27 (buy signal, with the longer-term trend clearly bullish)

Support and Resistance:

Market Structure: The short- and medium-term structure favours additional gains, with the recent consolidation above the NZ$3.30–3.40 area serving as a springboard for the next leg higher. Continued above-average trading volumes suggest that any dips are being bought aggressively—a classic bullish setup.

Fundamental Analysis

The company’s fundamental profile paints the picture of a highly scalable, innovative tech platform at a meaningful inflection point:

Revenue Growth & Profitability:

• 2024 Revenue: NZ$150.0 million—an all-time company record.
• Recurring Revenue: +10% YoY, cementing Vista’s ability to convert growth into durable, high-visibility income.
• SaaS Revenue: +20% YoY, particularly impressive as SaaS models disproportionately reward scale and margin expansion.
• EBITDA: NZ$6.1 million, with free cash flow turning solidly positive in 2H 2024.
• 2025 Guidance: Revenue NZ$167–173 million (+11–15%), recurring revenue NZ$152–158 million, EBITDA margin guidance lifted to 16–18%.

Valuation:

• While the trailing P/E remains non-applicable due to net losses associated with SaaS migration costs, the Price/Sales ratio is attractive for a high-growth tech vertical, especially with an NZ$881 million market cap and accelerating top-line prospects.
• Medium-term targets anticipate a structural uplift in EBITDA margin—long-term aspirations of 33–37% suggest powerful operational leverage as migrated SaaS income builds scale.

Structural Strengths:

• Market leadership in cinema management software (Vista Cinema, Veezi) and content distribution analytics (Maccs, Numero, Movio).
• Dominant market share globally; Vista is the de facto choice for industry majors, with a comprehensive and evolving product suite.
• Successful transition to the cloud, positioning the company for predictable high-margin recurring revenue.

Volume and Liquidity

Consistent liquidity levels offer added conviction:

• Average volume: ~208,000 shares per day (3-month average), recently exceeding this with a 220,345 share uptick.
• This sustainability in trading activity underlines strong institutional engagement and rising retail participation.
• With 238.8 million shares outstanding and a market cap near NZ$900 million, VGL’s float is liquid and well-placed for dynamic re-rating, offering the flexibility for larger investors to enter or add positions with minimal slippage.

Catalysts and Positive Outlook

Looking forward, several high-impact catalysts underpin a bullish outlook:

• Vista Cloud: Rapid migration to its SaaS platform is driving financial and operational transformation, opening up new client segments and geographies.
• North American Expansion: Recent contract signings with leading US and Canadian cinema chains substantially increase penetration and recurring revenue visibility.
• Industry Tailwinds: A resurgent post-COVID box office and renewed operator investment in digitisation and analytics elevate both addressable market size and demand for premium software solutions.
• Innovation: Ongoing product launches—including advanced data analytics and marketing automation offerings—drive both upsell and new customer wins.
• ESG & Governance: Corporate governance under CEO Stuart Dickinson has been proactive, with notable transparency and a focus on long-term margin expansion and responsible growth.

Notably, Vista’s guidance for 2025 calls for double-digit percentage revenue growth, a record recurring revenue pipeline, and margin enhancement. With industry forecasts projecting continued box office strength, these targets seem achievable—if not likely to be upgraded.

Investment Strategies

For investors evaluating optimal entry tactics, Vista Group International’s technical and fundamental set-up suggests several compelling scenarios:

• Short-term: Current consolidation just above strong support (NZ$3.42–3.43) allows tactical traders to position at an opportune technical level ahead of a potential resistance breakout (NZ$3.70–4.00).
• Medium-term: Ongoing adoption of Vista Cloud and the ramp-up in North American contracts add successive layers of positive catalysts through the next quarters—supporting a strategy of accumulating on minor pullbacks.
• Long-term: Investors seeking sustained exposure to New Zealand’s innovation economy and the global film tech value chain will appreciate Vista’s recurring SaaS business model, dominant market share, and expanding margin profile. The company’s current stage—pivoting from high-growth investment mode to improving profitability—historically coincides with significant medium-term share price appreciation in similar tech transitions.

Each of these scenarios appears most effective when timed around technical lows or periods ahead of major earnings/catalyst dates, potentially maximising risk-reward in an increasingly bullish context.

Is it the Right Time to Buy Vista Group International?

Summing up, Vista Group International displays a combination of robust top-line growth, accelerating SaaS adoption, and positive technical momentum—credentials that justify renewed investor interest at current levels. Backed by record-breaking 2024 results, upgraded 2025 guidance, and a slew of operational catalysts, VGL is positioned to capture outsized returns as secular growth in cinema technology continues. The technical structure is sound, liquidity is ample, and the macro backdrop offers further tailwinds for this uniquely Kiwi tech leader.

For those seeking best-in-class exposure to the revitalised global entertainment technology sector—delivered through a well-managed, innovative New Zealand company—Vista Group International seems to represent an excellent opportunity, with both near-term catalysts and long-term value creation compellingly aligned.

In summary, the stock may be entering a new bullish phase—one that rewards investors who recognise the structural shifts underpinning Vista’s transformation and the powerful leverage inherent in its SaaS growth story. For those looking to combine technical timing with secular tech momentum, Vista Group International stands out as a stock worthy of serious consideration as part of a forward-looking investment strategy.

How to buy Vista Group International stock in New Zealand?

Buying Vista Group International (NZX:VGL) shares online is a simple, secure process when you use a regulated New Zealand or international broker. Investors can choose between two main methods: cash (spot) buying, where you own the actual shares, or trading Contracts For Difference (CFDs), which allow you to speculate on the price without owning the shares directly. Both options are accessible online, with transparent fees and investor protections in place. For help selecting the right platform, be sure to check out our detailed broker comparison further down the page.

Cash buying

A cash purchase means you buy and own Vista Group International shares directly via your brokerage account—making you a shareholder and entitled to corporate actions. In New Zealand, brokers typically charge a flat fee per trade, often around NZ$5 to NZ$15 per domestic order.

Example

Suppose you have NZ$1,000 to invest. With Vista shares trading at NZ$3.69, you could buy approximately 270 shares (NZ$1,000 ÷ NZ$3.69 = ~271; after brokerage of NZ$5, you buy 270 shares for NZ$996).

✔️ Gain scenario: If the share price goes up by 10%, your shares are now worth NZ$1,100.

Result: That’s a NZ$100 gross gain, or +10% on your original investment (before fees and taxes).

Trading via CFD

CFD (Contract for Difference) trading allows you to benefit from price movements in Vista Group International shares without owning the actual stock. Instead of a fixed commission, you pay a spread (the difference between buy and sell price) and may incur overnight financing costs if you hold positions beyond the trading day. CFDs also offer leverage, amplifying both potential gains and losses.

Example

You open a CFD on Vista with a NZ$1,000 stake using 5x leverage, giving you market exposure of NZ$5,000.

✔️ Gain scenario: If Vista shares rise by 8%, your position gains 8% × 5 = 40%.

Result: You make a NZ$400 gain on your NZ$1,000 outlay (excluding spread and overnight fees).

Final advice

Broker fees and conditions can significantly impact your returns. Before investing in Vista Group International stock, it’s essential to compare platforms for commission rates, spreads, available markets, and investor protections. Ultimately, your choice—between cash buying and CFDs—should reflect your financial goals, risk tolerance, and whether you prefer direct share ownership or more flexible, leveraged trading. For a detailed overview of available brokers, refer to our comparison tool below.

Our 7 tips for buying Vista Group International stock

The latest news about Vista Group International

Vista Group’s share price increased 6.96% intraday on strong trading volume, signaling renewed market interest. On 30 May 2025, the stock closed at NZ$3.69, with trading volumes reaching 220,345 shares—above the 3-month average—reflecting increased investor attention and positive momentum following recent operational updates. Despite a weekly decline of −5.43%, the stock remains up over 25% in six months and 72% across the past year, indicating robust medium- and long-term confidence from NZ market participants and a resilient stock trajectory.

The company confirmed record FY2024 results with all-time-high revenue and double-digit SaaS growth, supporting business transformation. Vista reported historical revenues of NZ$150 million, a 20% surge in SaaS income and a 10% rise in recurring revenue, with positive free cash flow in the second half of 2024. These results were consistent with management guidance and analyst expectations, solidifying the group’s leadership in cinema technology both domestically and internationally, and strengthening its appeal to New Zealand investors.

Vista’s guidance for FY2025 projects sustained double-digit growth and margin improvements, setting a constructive outlook. Management forecasts revenue between NZ$167–173 million for the year, with recurring revenue to reach NZ$152–158 million and EBITDA margins expected to rise to 16–18%. Notably, long-term profitability ambitions have been raised, with new targets set for EBITDA margins of 33–37%. This positive outlook is underpinned by the continued rollout of Vista Cloud and expansion across North America, positioning the NZX-listed group for further value creation.

Technical analysis signals a strong buy, driven by favorable market indicators and moving averages. On 30 May, multiple technical indicators—including MACD, short and long-term moving averages, and overall oscillator sentiment—aligned to produce a unanimous buy signal, with twelve out of twelve moving averages in positive territory. The Relative Strength Index, ranging between 47.94 and 68.03, reinforced a neutral to buy orientation. Market sentiment among NZ investors remains optimistic, buoyed by recent earnings performance and ambitious forward guidance.

Vista Group maintains its headquarters and core operations in Auckland, underlining its status as a leading NZ-based tech company with global reach. Despite its international orientation, the company’s central decision-making, R&D, and governance remain anchored in New Zealand, employing over 700 staff locally and supporting the country’s technology export profile. Its continuing success supports sector dynamism and reinforces NZ’s position as home to high-growth, innovative SaaS companies traded on the local exchange.

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.