• Zip shares crash another 11% this week: What is going on?

    A couple sits on a sofa, each clutching their heads in horror and disbelief, while looking at a laptop screen.

    Zip Co Ltd (ASX: ZIP) shares have crashed another 4% in Thursday lunchtime trade, to $2.20 a piece.

    Today’s sell-off follows a long run of declines, reversing any gains made during a brief recovery in June and July. The shares are now down 11% this week, and have shed just over 22% over the past month alone.

    The shares are now also around 52% lower than 12 months ago.

    What is going on with Zip shares this week?

    There hasn’t been any price-sensitive news out of Zip this week to explain the latest sell-off.

    The buy now, pay later (BNPL) provider’s shares have been very volatile throughout 2026 so far, swinging anywhere between $3.56 in January, and a low of $1.38 in March. 

    Most recently, the sell-off picked up pace after the company posted its FY26 results on the 20th of August. 

    Zip posted a record result, including a huge 57.9% increase in its cash EBTDA, a 24.7% increase in total revenue, and a 45.7% hike in its NPAT for FY26.

    The company also said it expects its cash EBTDA to climb even higher in FY27, by around 26% thanks to strong growth and greater scale across the business.

    The announcement was initially well received by investors, who rushed to snap up the BNPL provider’s shares. But gains were quickly reversed and the shares are now down around 28% since the announcement.

    While the result itself was positive, it looks like many investors were underwhelmed by the company’s expectations for future growth.

    Zip said it is aiming to deliver a group cash EBTDA of $340 million in FY27, up 26% on FY26, and target an operating margin of 20% to 22%. That’s much lower than the 57.9% cash EBTDA growth the company experienced in FY26.

    The news also came against a backdrop of volatile markets and weak investor sentiment, adding further pressure to the share price.

    Now the question is, is the latest sell-off a buying opportunity to buy the ASX tech shares for cheap, or is there more downside coming?

    Here’s what the experts think.

    What’s ahead for the ASX tech stock?

    Analysts are incredibly bullish on Zip shares, with widespread anticipation that we’ll see a significant upside over the next 12 months.

    Market Index data shows all brokers agree on a strong buy rating, and the $3.95 target price implies around a 78% upside, at the time of writing.

    TradingView data shows something similar. All 12 analysts have a buy/strong buy rating on the shares. The average $4.56 target price implies a potential 106% upside ahead, at the time of writing. Although some are confident that Zip shares can climb another 171% to $6.03 over the next 12 months.

    UBS recently confirmed its buy rating and $4.70 target price on Zip shares. The broker said that the outlook for the current year was better than expected, providing comfort around the defensive qualities of the buy now, pay later business model through slowing economic times.

    The team at Macquarie also agrees. The broker has a buy rating and $3.50 target price on the shares. Macquarie said “Zip’s outlook remains attractive as management executes the market opportunity in the US, supported by performance in AU”.

    The post Zip shares crash another 11% this week: What is going on? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Zip Co right now?

    Before you buy Zip Co shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Zip Co wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 August 2026

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    Motley Fool contributor Samantha Menzies 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 Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • Buy alert! Expert names 2 surging ASX All Ords tech stocks to buy today

    Red buy button on an Apple keyboard with a finger on it.

    Amid renewed selling pressure today, the All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO) is down 1.7% in 12 months, but don’t blame these two surging ASX All Ords tech stocks.

    The outperforming ASX tech shares in question are audio visual, electrical and communication products and services company SKS Technologies Group Ltd (ASX: SKS), and wholesale computer hardware and software distributor Dicker Data Ltd (ASX: DDR).

    During the Thursday lunch hour, Dicker Data shares are changing hands for $13.96 apiece, up 40.5% since this time last year.

    SKS Technologies shares have performed even better. Currently trading for $7.89 a share, the ASX All Ords tech stock has rocketed 155.3% in 12 months.

    To highlight the strength of this performance, the S&P/ASX All Technology Index (ASX: XTX) has tumbled 34.0% over this same period.

    As you’re likely aware, a lot of tech companies have come under pressure amid concerns that artificial intelligence could replace the services they offer at far cheaper prices. But Vestra Capital’s Mark Elzayed forecasts that the AI revolution will actually provide ongoing tailwinds for both SKS and Dicker Data shares (courtesy of The Bull).

    Here’s why.

    ASX All Ords tech stock tapping into data centre boom

    “SKS Technologies has established a significant market footprint in electrical, fibre optic and audiovisual integration for major data centre projects,” said Elzayed, who has a buy recommendation on the ASX All Ords tech stock.

    Commenting on SKS Technologies FY 2026 results, he noted:

    The company generated revenue of $347.93 million in full year 2026, up 33 per cent on the prior corresponding period. Net profit after tax of $27.11 million surged 93.2 per cent. Data centre revenue of $207.7 million was up 47.6 per cent year on year. The balance sheet is also stronger, with cash from operations increasing 30.5 per cent.

    Summarising his buy recommendation on SKS, Elzayed concluded:

    The primary catalyst for SKS is its accelerating work on hand and structural exposure to Australia’s expanding data centre market. In my view, SKS represents a high conviction growth opportunity, supported by strong demand visibility and a substantial project pipeline.

    Which brings us to the second outperforming ASX tech share you may wish to buy today.

    Dicker Data shares increasing AI exposure

    “This technology company distributes hardware and software solutions,” he said of Dicker Data. “It benefits from enterprise spending on AI capable servers, network upgrades and end point security hardware.”

    Commenting on Dicker Data’s H1 2026 results, he added:

    It generated gross revenue of $2.1 billion in the first half of 2026, up 14.2 per cent on the prior corresponding period. Net profit after tax of $60.7 million was up 54.1 per cent. Management has upgraded full year gross revenue guidance to between $4.3 billion and $4.4 billion, alongside profit before tax guidance of between $162 million and $165 million.

    Summarising his buy recommendation on the ASX All Ords tech stock, Elzayed concluded, “Double digit top line momentum, an appealing dividend yield and increasing exposure to AI infrastructure spending provides a bright outlook, in my view.”

    The post Buy alert! Expert names 2 surging ASX All Ords tech stocks to buy today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Dicker Data right now?

    Before you buy Dicker Data shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Dicker Data wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 August 2026

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    Motley Fool contributor Bernd Struben has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Dicker Data. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Sks Technologies Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • How much income can you earn while still qualifying for the age pension?

    An older farmer stands arms crossed among his crop, staring across the field.

    The income you can earn from your investments and/or work while still qualifying for the age pension will increase on 20 September.

    The changes reflect indexation adjustments, which are made twice per year, to keep up with inflation.

    Let’s take a look at the details.

    How much can you earn while still getting the pension?

    If you were born on or after 1 January 1957, you are eligible for the pension from age 67, whether you are retired or not.

    The pension is subject to an assets test and income test.

    On 20 September, the upper thresholds on both tests will change.

    In this article, we’re focusing on the rules for the income test.

    Currently, singles who earn less than $226 per fortnight qualify for the full age pension.

    Under the indexation changes, singles who earn between $227 and $2,701.40 (up from $2,627.80) per fortnight will get a part-payment.

    Couples who earn less than $396 per fortnight qualify for the full payment.

    Couples who earn between $397 and $4,128 (up from $4,016.80) per fortnight will qualify for a part-pension.

    Work bonus

    The Work Bonus reduces the amount of income that counts in your fortnightly income test.

    Every fortnight, $300 credit is added to your Work Bonus balance, up to a maximum of $11,800, as a matter of routine.

    When you work and declare your earnings, your Work Bonus balance offsets those earnings.

    If your earnings are higher than your Work Bonus balance, the excess counts toward your income test for that fortnight.

    This may mean you receive a lower pension payment for the fortnight.

    Investment income

    Pensioners do not need to declare actual income from each of their financial investments.

    Instead, income is calculated using deeming rates.

    (Rental income from an investment property is assessed separately, and exact amounts are used).

    The deeming rates will go up on 20 September, but they are still generously low.

    The lower deeming rate will be 1.75% for the first $66,800 worth of assets for singles and the first $110,600 for couples combined.

    Everything above these amounts will be deemed to have earned the new upper deeming rate of interest at 3.75%.

    Even the upper deeming rate is much lower than the typical interest rate you’d get on savings at the bank these days (5%-plus).

    Pension payments are also going up

    From 20 September, single pensioners will receive an extra $36.80 per fortnight under the inflation adjustments.

    That will take the full pension payment up to $1,237.70 per fortnight.

    Couples will get an extra $27.80 per partner, per fortnight.

    That will raise the full pension payment to $933 per partner, per fortnight.

    A very important note

    Even if your income is very close to the upper limit, it is still worth applying for the age pension.

    You may only get a small pension payment, but you’ll get the full benefit of the Australian Pensioner Concession Card (PCC).

    The PCC can save you thousands of dollars per year through discounted medicines and hearing services, bulk-billed GP appointments, and extra benefits under the Medicare Safety Net.

    Depending on which state or territory you live in, you may also qualify for discounted public transport, electricity, gas, council and water rates, dental and eye care costs, and car registration.

    The post How much income can you earn while still qualifying for the age pension? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Wondering where you should invest $1,000 right now?

    When investing expert Scott Phillips has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the flagship Motley Fool Share Advisor newsletter he has run for over ten years has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    Scott just revealed what he believes could be the ‘five best ASX stocks’ for investors to buy right now. We believe these stocks are trading at attractive prices and Scott thinks they could be great buys right now…

    * Returns as of 1 August 2026

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    Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. 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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