Why has the Appen share price just dropped to a new 5-year low?

It has been another disappointing day for the Appen Ltd (ASX: APX) share price on Friday.

In morning trade, the artificial intelligence data services company’s shares are down 5% to $3.09.

This means the Appen share price is now trading at a new five-year low.

Why is the Appen share price at a five-year low?

Investors have been selling down the Appen share price on Friday amid significant weakness in the tech sector.

This follows a very poor night of trade on Wall Street for tech stocks. This led to the tech-focused NASDAQ index falling a sizeable 2.85% overnight, with Apple leading the way with a decline of almost 5%.

In morning trade in Australia, the S&P/ASX All Technology Index is down 2.6%.

What else?

In addition, on Thursday, Facebook’s parent Meta warned that the “macroeconomy remains tough and volatile” and it would aim to cut costs accordingly.

This may have sparked fears that demand from Meta, one of Appen’s biggest customers, could soften in the near term.

And if other tech giants, such as Google, are also feeling the heat from the tough economic environment, demand for artificial intelligence data services from them could also lessen and put Appen at risk of falling short of its guidance for FY 2022.

While Appen hasn’t provided any real guidance, it has advised that it expects the second half to bring higher revenue. Some investors may be doubting that this will happen now based the Appen share price decline today.

Time will tell if that is the case.

The post Why has the Appen share price just dropped to a new 5-year low? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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More reading

• Why is the Appen share price climbing today?
• Pain continues for Appen share price amid ASX tech sell-off
• Down 65% this year, where to next for the Appen share price?
• Megaport share price soars 10% as ASX tech shares trump on Thursday
• Down 68% so far in 2022, can Appen shares ‘get through this?’

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Appen Ltd. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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