WAAAX stocks collapse as the ASX crashes as much as 200 points
As market volatility spikes, and panic around the Coronavirus grows, tech stocks across the globe have been sold-down heavily over the last week.
WAAAX off
The tech-focused NASDAQ – which tracks some of the world’s largest and most profitable tech companies – fell off a cliff overnight: dropping over 400 points or -4.61%.
Individually, the world’s premier tech companies were brutally sold-off in step: Facebook dropped 3.78%, Apple collapsed 6.54%, Amazon crashed 4.81%, Alphabet (Google) fell 5.39% and Microsoft was the worst hit: plunging 7.05%.
The pain isn't likely to end there; US Futures are pointing towards further declines for tech investors during the upcoming trading session.
Unsurprisingly then, when the ASX opened today, Australia’s most prominent tech stocks – collectively referred to as the WAAAX stocks – were sold off just as aggressively as their US counterparts.
The ASX 200 itself fell over 200 points in the first hour of trade.
With this volatile price action in mind, below we examine the performance from each of the WAAAX stocks over the last five trading sessions.
Are you bullish or bearish on tech stocks? Click here to create an IG Trading Account today.
Wisetech share price -19%
Swept up amongst disappointing FY20 earnings guidance, a lingering short attack, and now the Coronavirus crisis, the WiseTech (ASX: WTC) share price has continued its downward trajectory today – dropping as much as 11.46% – to a low of $14.99 per share (and -12% in the last five days).
Overall, WiseTech (ASX: WTC) has proven to be the worst performing WAAAX stock in the short-term, having now seen its share price more than halve from its 2019 peak.
Afterpay share price -12%
Buy now pay later stocks were some of the worst hit on the ASX today, as Afterpay (ASX: APT) saw its share price fall as much as 9.45% – to a low of $32.74 per share.
This comes after the tech darling reported a good set of interim results yesterday: notching up $4.8 billion in underlying sales (+109%), total income of $220 million (+96%) and seeing its active customers and merchants reach 7.3 million and 43.2 thousand, respectively.
Altium share price -7%
Altium has proven the most resilient of the WAAAX cohort in the last five trading sessions, dropping just 7% in that period.
Like many of the other WAAAX stocks, Altium reported its interim results to the market in the last two weeks: recording H1 revenues of US$92 million against earnings (EBITDA) of US$36.8 million.
The company also announced a 20 cent interim dividend as part of its half-year results.
Appen share price -14%
Appen was one of the few stocks that saw its share price surge this week: rising ~6% after the company reported a growthy set FY19 figures. Here, the AI-focused tech company reported that its full-year FY19 revenues reached $536.0 million (+47%); while underlying earnings (NPAT) came in at $64.7 million (+32%).
This share price surge proved short-lived however, APX fell 10% on Wednesday and then 3% on Thursday. The stock continued to trade in the red today.
Xero share price -12%
Though Xero (ASX: XRO) isn’t set to release its next round of financial results until May, the cloud-based accounting software company couldn't avoid the market-wide panic selling it would seem, with its share price falling more than 14% since 19 February.
Analysts currently favour the stock mind you: as it stands, Xero has eight Buy ratings, four Hold ratings and four Sell ratings, according to Bloomberg Data.
Practise trading Australian and international stocks with an IG demo account now.
This information has been prepared by IG, a trading name of IG Markets Limited. In addition to the disclaimer below, the material on this page does not contain a record of our trading prices, or an offer of, or solicitation for, a transaction in any financial instrument. IG accepts no responsibility for any use that may be made of these comments and for any consequences that result. No representation or warranty is given as to the accuracy or completeness of this information. Consequently any person acting on it does so entirely at their own risk. Any research provided does not have regard to the specific investment objectives, financial situation and needs of any specific person who may receive it. It has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and as such is considered to be a marketing communication. Although we are not specifically constrained from dealing ahead of our recommendations we do not seek to take advantage of them before they are provided to our clients. See full non-independent research disclaimer and quarterly summary.
Act on share opportunities today
Go long or short on thousands of international stocks with spread bets and CFDs.
- Get full exposure for a comparatively small deposit
- Trade on spreads from just 0.1%
- Get greater order book visibility with direct market access
See opportunity on a stock?
Try a risk-free trade in your demo account, and see whether you’re on to something.
- Log in to your demo
- Take your position
- See whether your hunch pays off
See opportunity on a stock?
Don’t miss your chance – upgrade to a live account to take advantage.
- Trade a huge range of popular stocks
- Analyse and deal seamlessly on fast, intuitive charts
- See and react to breaking news in-platform
See opportunity on a stock?
Don’t miss your chance. Log in to take advantage while conditions prevail.
Live prices on most popular markets
- Equities
- Indices
- Forex
- Commodities
Prices above are subject to our website terms and agreements. Prices are indicative only. All share prices are delayed by at least 15 minutes.
Prices above are subject to our website terms and agreements. Prices are indicative only. All shares prices are delayed by at least 15 mins.
