A bad week on the Nasdaq tends to ripple straight through to ASX tech stocks, but not always in the way the headlines suggest.

The Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) posted its fifth consecutive losing session on Friday, dropping 0.24% to close at 25,297.62. Investors rotated out of major technology stocks and into more defensive areas of the market.

For the week, the Nasdaq fell 4.6%, its worst weekly performance in months, even as the Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) actually rose 0.6% over the same period.

That rotation also affected ASX stocks, with the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) falling 0.42%, led by many well-known tech stocks.

What drove the selloff, and what this means for ASX tech stocks

A lot of this sell-off can be attributed to renewed caution about the entire AI infrastructure trade.

Chip stocks were weaker after reports that OpenAI is considering delaying its IPO to next year. This is due specifically to SpaceX’s poor performance following its own debut and broader volatility in AI-related shares.

That report raised concerns about the sustainability of AI infrastructure spending given the delay in funding from the capital markets.

This is a challenge to the thesis behind buying ASX data centre and AI infrastructure stocks this year: that mega-cap AI IPOs would keep validating and funding the buildout.

When the US sneezes, Australia catches a cold. These three ASX tech stocks all reacted in different ways to last week’s underperformance.

What it means for NextDC Ltd (ASX: NXT)

NextDC is the ASX tech stock most directly exposed to this specific news. This is because OpenAI is the foundational customer for its Western Sydney AI data centre campus.

A delayed OpenAI IPO does not cancel that contracted relationship, but it does remove, at least for now, one of the strongest near-term catalysts that has supported sentiment around NextDC’s AI infrastructure thesis.

The contracted capacity and capital expenditure NextDC has already committed to remain unchanged regardless of OpenAI’s listing timeline.

But investors should not assume the AI IPO wave will keep providing an automatic tailwind for the stock in the way it has over recent months.

What it means for WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC)

WiseTech is sensitive to broad technology sector rotation given its premium valuation and exposure to global growth-stock sentiment. But this week the company also gave the market its own, separate reason to worry.

Reports emerged that the Australian Federal Police is investigating founder Richard White over serious allegations involving a former employee.

This sent WiseTech shares down almost 13% in a single session, on top of an already difficult year for the stock.

Until there is clarity on both the investigation and the board’s response, the stock’s near-term moves are likely to reflect that overhang as much as any broader rotation out of growth names.

What it means for Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO)

Xero sits closer to the US SaaS peer group than either WiseTech or NextDC. This makes it the most directly comparable of the three to whatever is driving Nasdaq software valuations specifically.

When US growth software names sell off on rate or rotation concerns, Xero’s share price  tends to move in parallel. This is despite the fact that the company’s own performance has remained solid through the volatility.

Xero delivered operating revenue growth of 31% to NZ$2.8 billion in its most recent full-year result. The US stood out as its fastest-growing market on the back of its Melio bill pay integration.

This gives the Xero shares a company-specific growth story that has little to do with whatever is driving sentiment on the Nasdaq this week.

Foolish takeaway for ASX tech stocks

The Nasdaq’s worst week in months was driven by a rotation away from growth and AI-adjacent names, sharpened by a specific report that OpenAI may delay its IPO because of SpaceX’s shaky debut.

That detail matters more for NextDC than for WiseTech or Xero, given its direct contractual link to OpenAI.

For all three, however, the broader lesson is the same: ASX tech stocks are not immune to what is happening across the pond in the US.

The post The Nasdaq just had its worst week in months. Here’s what that means for ASX tech stocks appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 3 reasons why the Xero share price is a buy in July
• WiseTech shares are all over the place. Here’s why
• Buy, hold, sell: Woodside, Xero, BHP shares
• 4 ASX 200 shares I’d buy before the end of June
• Top brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy next week

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

It has been a rough few weeks for investors in DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO) shares.

The ASX defence stock has fallen around 16% over the past week and 29% over the past month. It is now down approximately 26% in 2026, leaving its once-spectacular 12-month gain almost completely erased at just 4%.

That’s a painful reversal for investors who piled into the ASX stock during this year’s defence rally.

But there’s another way to look at it. With much of the hype now gone, the recent pullback arguably makes the risk-reward equation more attractive for long-term investors. While DroneShield remains a higher-risk stock, its position in one of defence’s fastest-growing niches continues to make it an intriguing opportunity.

Here are three reasons investors may want to take a closer look at DroneShield shares this July.

1. Specialist in one of defence’s fastest-growing markets

DroneShield isn’t trying to compete across the entire defence industry.

Instead, it has focused almost exclusively on counter-drone technology. This is a market that has moved from niche to strategic priority in just a few years.

Demand for counter-drone systems has surged as conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East demonstrated how inexpensive drones can threaten military forces, critical infrastructure, airports, and public events.

Industry researchers estimate the global counter-UAS market could exceed US$15 billion annually by the early 2030s, driven by rising defence budgets and increasing adoption by military and civilian customers alike.

Those are powerful structural tailwinds for DroneShield shares that aren’t likely to disappear anytime soon.

2. DroneShield has built a genuine competitive niche

DroneShield is hardly the biggest name in defence. It competes with giants such as RTX Corp (NYSE: RTX), Lockheed Martin Corp (NYSE: LMT), and Thales SA (XPAR: HO), all of which have vastly greater financial resources and decades-long government relationships.

Yet DroneShield has successfully carved out a reputation as an agile counter-drone specialist. Rather than offering a single product, the company provides an integrated suite of technologies, including drone detection, electronic warfare systems, AI-enabled tracking software, and command-and-control platforms.

That breadth has helped it secure an increasing number of contracts with defence agencies and government customers.

Recent wins for DroneShield shares include multi-million-dollar contracts across Europe, Latin America, and Asia-Pacific, as well as ongoing supply agreements with military customers responding to heightened geopolitical tensions.

For a business of DroneShield’s size, those contract wins demonstrate growing credibility on the global stage.

3. The valuation looks more reasonable

Earlier this year, DroneShield shares were pricing in almost flawless execution. After the recent sell-off, expectations have become considerably more realistic.

That’s not to say the shares are cheap – they still carry meaningful execution risk – but investors are no longer paying peak multiples for the business.

If the company continues converting growing defence demand into larger, more frequent contract wins, today’s valuation could prove much more attractive than it appeared just a month ago.

Foolish takeaway

Investing in DroneShield shares is not without risks. Revenue remains lumpy because defence contracts are often awarded irregularly. Procurement decisions can be delayed, larger competitors may invest more heavily in counter-drone technologies, and rapid innovation means the company must continually invest in research and development.

But the long-term investment case remains compelling. Counter-drone technology is becoming an increasingly important part of modern defence. DroneShield has established itself as a recognised specialist in the field, and the recent share price correction has significantly lowered investor expectations.

For investors comfortable with volatility, July could present an opportunity to buy a quality defence growth stock after a sharp reset.

The post 3 reasons to buy DroneShield shares in July appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Here are the 10 most shorted ASX shares
• After a horror week: Are DroneShield shares a buy, hold or sell?
• Why DroneShield, WiseTech and Judo shares are leading the ASX 200 lower this week
• Is DroneShield the ASX growth share investors should be buying?
• Should I invest $5,000 in DroneShield shares before the end of June?

Motley Fool contributor Marc Van Dinther 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 DroneShield and RTX. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Lockheed Martin. 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.

There could be big returns waiting for investors in the healthcare sector according to analysts at Bell Potter.

In fact, the ASX healthcare share in this article is being tipped to almost double in value from current levels.

Which ASX healthcare share?

The share in question is Neuren Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: NEU).

It is a biotechnology company with two novel drug assets. Bell Potter notes that the most advanced is Daybue (trofinetide), which was out-licensed to Acadia (NASDAQ: ACAD).

The ASX healthcare share’s second asset, NNZ-2591, is under development for multiple rare diseases. The most advanced is Phelan McDermid syndrome.

Neuren Pharmaceuticals is currently conducting a Phase three trial in Phelan McDermid syndrome and has conducted Phase 2 trials in three other rare neurological conditions.

Bell Potter believes the market is ascribing no value to NNZ-2591, which it feels has created a compelling buying opportunity for investors.

At the same time, it highlights that European regulators have reversed a negative recommendation on Daybue in the region, putting it on a likely path to approval.

Commenting on this, Bell Potter said:

The addition of Daybue European sales adds ~$2/share to our NPV valuation based on current forecasts. We estimate the future value of Daybue licensing income to be ~$9.50 (comprising ~$7.50 from the US and ~$2 from Europe). The existing ~A$300m cash balance equates to ~$2.50/share. Hence a total value of ~$12/share for cash + Daybue licensing income, excluding any contribution from NNZ-2591.

At the latest closing price, we therefore see effectively zero implied value for NEU’s second asset, which in itself would be a multi-billion-dollar value asset should it succeed in the Phase 3 trial. The Phase 3 remains in the early stages of recruitment, with results not expected until the end of CY27 at the very earliest (pending recruitment pace).

Big potential returns

According to the note, Bell Potter has retained its buy rating on the ASX healthcare share with an improved price target of $23.50 (from $22.00).

Based on its current share price of $12.20, this implies potential upside of approximately 93% for investors over the next 12 months. It said:

We maintain our BUY recommendation and increase PT to $23.50.

To put that into context, a $5,000 investment would turn into approximately $9,650 by this time next year if Bell Potter is on the money with its recommendation.

The post Bell Potter says this ASX healthcare share could rise 93% (It’s not CSL) appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in CSL. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended CSL. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended CSL. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.