WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC) shares were climbing higher in early-morning trade on Wednesday before nosediving around 14% just after midday.

At the time of writing, the ASX tech shares are down around 10% for the day at $38.90 a piece.

The latest decline means the shares are now down 43% for the year-to-date and 66% lower than 12 months ago.

What happened to WiseTech shares today?

Investors rushed to sell up their shares after the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) executed a search warrant on the company. The move is part of an investigation into potential breaches of competition law.

In a statement to the ASX, WiseTech said that an “ACCC search warrant was executed on the Company requiring the production of documents and electronic data in relation to the supply of global logistics services and software”.

The company added that it intends to “fully cooperate with the investigation”.

WiseTech said the action forms part of an ACCC investigation into alleged contraventions of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010. It didn’t offer any further details about the allegations or which sections of the business the ACCC is investigating.

WiseTech shares have been smashed this year

Today’s decline is just one of many steep sell-offs that the company has suffered from this year. The declines have mostly been driven by a tech sector-wide sell-off and an investor rotation to more stable assets amid global volatility earlier this year. 

WiseTech shares also experienced a steep and sustained share price crash through to a five-year low of just $28.76 in late June. The dip followed media reports that the Australian Federal Police was investigating founder Richard White over alleged trafficking matters. The matters relate to a former cleaner at WiseTech.

The company responded at the time that the alleged investigation concerns Richard White in a personal capacity. It added that there is no suggestion in this media commentary of an investigation into WiseTech. But it didn’t stop investors rushing for the exit.

ASIC and the AFP also searched WiseTech Global’s headquarters in late October 2025. The search concerned alleged trading in WiseTech shares by founder Richard White and three employees. At the time, WiseTech said no charges had been laid and that there were no allegations against the company itself. 

There is no indication that any of these events are related to today’s search warrant. 

Should investors buy in the dip or stay clear of WiseTech shares?

At the time of writing, the outlook for WiseTech shares is unchanged. Brokers and analysts are still very bullish on where we’ll see the share price travel from here.

Market Index shows that the majority of brokers (three out of four) are very bullish on the ASX tech stock and hold a strong buy rating. The average $54.71 target price implies a potential 39% upside over the next 12 months, at the time of writing.

The post Why did WiseTech shares just crash 10%? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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 WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The European Lithium (ASX: EUR) share price is in focus today after the company announced key changes to its proposed merger with Critical Metals Corp (NASDAQ: CRML), including a new floating share exchange ratio and updates to the timeline for implementation.

What did European Lithium report?

• The previously fixed share exchange ratio for the merger is now a floating ratio, subject to a cap (0.045 CRML shares for each EUR share) and a collar (minimum 0.025 CRML shares per EUR share), depending on CRML’s 20-day VWAP before the scheme vote.
• Based on current market prices (CRML VWAP below US$8.00), the maximum exchange ratio applies, increasing consideration by 28.6% compared to earlier terms.
• The merger rationale and key deal protections, including a reimbursement fee, remain in place.
• The independent board committee continues to recommend the scheme, and the timeline now anticipates completion in October 2026, following shareholder and court approvals.

What else do investors need to know?

European Lithium holds a significant 31% stake in Critical Metals and has additional direct and indirect interests in strategic minerals projects, such as Tanbreez in Greenland and Wolfsberg in Austria. With the revised scheme terms, shareholders’ equity in the merged group will directly reflect movements in CRML’s market value.

The scheme booklet, including the independent expert’s report, is on track for distribution in early September 2026. Shareholder and optionholder meetings will be held to approve the transaction, with the court process to follow. If successful, European Lithium shareholders are expected to own around 38% of the combined entity.

What’s next for European Lithium?

The updated transaction structure aims to give shareholders more value certainty by softening the impact of CRML’s share price volatility before the deal closes. European Lithium and Critical Metals Corp continue to seek the required approvals and are focused on meeting regulatory, court, and shareholder milestones to complete the merger in October.

Strategically, the combination could position the combined group as a key supplier to Europe’s critical minerals and battery industries, with assets that align well to rising demand from the clean energy and electric vehicle sectors.

European Lithium share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, European Lithium shares have risen 227%, outperforming the All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO), which has risen 1% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post European Lithium updates merger terms with Critical Metals Corp appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Sell alert! Why this expert is calling time on Xero and Northern Star shares
• Why did WiseTech shares just crash 10%?
• WAM Global lifts dividend despite underperforming global benchmark
• These 3 ASX 200 shares look like classic Warren Buffett investments
• 20% a year: Is this the ASX’s best index fund?

Motley Fool contributor Laura Stewart 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. This article was prepared with the assistance of Large Language Model (LLM) tools for the initial summary of the company announcement. Any content assisted by AI is subject to our robust human-in-the-loop quality control framework, involving thorough review, substantial editing, and fact-checking by our experienced writers and editors holding appropriate credentials. The Motley Fool Australia stands behind the work of our editorial team and takes ultimate responsibility for the content published by The Motley Fool Australia.

The WAM Global Ltd (ASX: WGB) share price comes into focus after the company announced a fully franked full-year dividend increase to 13.2 cents per share, despite the investment portfolio falling 4.2% in FY26 while the MSCI World Index (AUD) climbed 14.8%.

What did WAM Global report?

• Investment portfolio declined 4.2% for the twelve months to 30 June 2026
• MSCI World Index (AUD) benchmark rose 14.8% over the same period
• Fully franked full year dividend increased to 13.2 cents per share
• Fully franked final dividend of 6.6 cents per share, payable 16 November 2026
• Reported operating loss before tax of $50.3 million (last year: $147.6 million profit)
• Operating loss after tax was $35.2 million (last year: $103.3 million profit)

What else do investors need to know?

The Board highlighted that the fund’s listed investment company structure and profits reserve enabled ongoing payment of fully franked dividends, even during challenging market conditions. Shareholders benefit from a fully franked dividend yield of 6.0% and a grossed-up yield of 8.6%, both well above global equity averages.

Performance lagged its benchmark primarily due to historic concentration of returns among AI-driven companies and a 4.3% negative impact from a stronger Australian dollar. While WAM Global held several AI beneficiaries, this was not enough to outpace broader markets as seen over the year.

The company’s experienced investment team maintains a diversified, quality-focused portfolio. Participation in the dividend reinvestment plan (DRP) is available, with new shares issued at the VWAP following the ex-dividend date, and no discount applied.

What did WAM Global management say?

Chairman Geoff Wilson AO said:

The benefits of the listed investment company structure, together with the profits reserve available, have enabled the Board to continue to provide fully franked dividends to shareholders through market cycles. The investment team remains focused on our proven investment process, particularly during times where there is a lack of breadth in the market.

What’s next for WAM Global?

Looking ahead, WAM Global’s management remains disciplined and focused on investing in high-quality AI beneficiaries across sectors such as hardware, infrastructure, and semiconductors, while avoiding speculative names with stretched valuations.

Despite ongoing market volatility and elevated index valuations, WAM Global expects ongoing dispersion in company returns to create opportunities for patient, value-seeking shareholders. The team is committed to using its investment process to identify undervalued growth companies and maintain dividend payments through various market cycles.

View Original Announcement

The post WAM Global lifts dividend despite underperforming global benchmark appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Sell alert! Why this expert is calling time on Xero and Northern Star shares
• Why did WiseTech shares just crash 10%?
• European Lithium updates merger terms with Critical Metals Corp
• These 3 ASX 200 shares look like classic Warren Buffett investments
• 20% a year: Is this the ASX’s best index fund?

Motley Fool contributor Laura Stewart 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. This article was prepared with the assistance of Large Language Model (LLM) tools for the initial summary of the company announcement. Any content assisted by AI is subject to our robust human-in-the-loop quality control framework, involving thorough review, substantial editing, and fact-checking by our experienced writers and editors holding appropriate credentials. The Motley Fool Australia stands behind the work of our editorial team and takes ultimate responsibility for the content published by The Motley Fool Australia.