Author: openjargon

WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC) shares are taking a tumble today.

Shares in the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) logistics software solutions company closed on Friday trading for $37.69. During the Monday lunch hour, shares are changing hands for $36.50, down 3.2%.

This sees WiseTech shares down a painful 61.5% since this time last year.

For some context, the ASX 200 is up 0.1% today and up 1.8% in 12 months.

As you may know, the ASX 200 tech stock has come under heavy selling pressure on several fronts.

First, investors have been concerned over the company’s governance, with founder and executive chairman Richard White catching negative media headlines over allegations of inappropriate behaviour.

The stock has also come under pressure amid global concerns that artificial intelligence can potentially replace a lot of the services that Software as a Service (SaaS) like WiseTech provides.

Or the so-called the ‘SaaSpocalypse’.

But with the share price now down almost 62% over the past 12 months, is the ASX 200 tech stock trading at a bargain?

WiseTech shares: Buy, hold, or sell?

When asked which stock in his fund is the most undervalued by the market, Emanuel Datt, chief investment officer and founder of Datt Capital, pointed to WiseTech (courtesy of the Australian Financial Review).

Commenting on his bullish outlook for WiseTech shares, Datt said:

WiseTech Global has been in the media for all the wrong reasons over the past few years, suffering from governance issues and others related to the founder. Notwithstanding, this is one of the ASX’s highest-quality technology companies with a global customer base and significant upside.

Datt added:

The company has progressed in mitigating investor concerns, materially refreshing the board and management team whilst also driving business growth via the acquisition of a major competitor, e2open, and transitioning to value-based pricing. The business has a history of growing via M&A and has significantly outperformed its own guidance in extracting synergies from e2open.

And WiseTech’s growth potential shouldn’t be ignored.

Datt concluded:

WiseTech’s product portfolio is genuinely exciting, with customer identity verification products providing the foundational element of the company’s move into offering its own supply chain finance solutions; a multitrillion-dollar global market.

What’s the latest from the ASX 200 tech share?

WiseTech reported its FY 2026 results on 26 August.

Following the company’s successful e2open acquisition, WiseTech reported a 79% year-on-year increase in revenue to US$1.395 billion.

But while underlying net profit after tax (NPAT) increased 29% to US$313.5 million, statutory NPAT was down 11% from FY 2025 to US$178.7 million.

WiseTech shares closed down 10.1% on the day of the results release.

The post Down 62%, are WiseTech shares now a buy, hold or sell? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• These ASX shares benefit from a high Aussie dollar
• Why I’m buying WiseTech shares before the market catches on
• These ASX 50 shares have lost up to 60%. Is the sell-off overdone?
• 9 ASX shares downgraded by experts post-results this week
• Down another 18%: Why I’d buy WiseTech shares in the dip

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 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.

Shares in Pinnacle Investment Management Group Ltd (ASX: PNI) are down by almost a quarter over the past year, but according to the team at Macquarie, that presents a good buying opportunity.

The Macquarie analysts have an outperform rating on Pinnacle and a bullish share price target, which I’ll get to shortly.

First, let’s have a look at what Pinnacle does.

Major investment manager

The investment manager owns substantial stakes in a number of funds, which themselves invest across a wide range of sectors.

For example, it owns a 49.9% stake in Hyperion Asset Management, which invests in global and Australian growth equities, and has a 35.9% stake in Palisade, which invests in private infrastructure.

The amount of funds under management in these so-called affiliates came in at $229.4 billion at the end of June this year, which was up 27.9% year on year.

Pinnacle has what it calls a Three Horizons growth strategy, which involves firstly growing the management side of the business, launching brand new affiliates, and also buying stakes in and growing other affiliates.

At the time of the company’s FY26 financial report, Managing Director Ian Macoun said:

We continue to build Pinnacle to deliver sustained high rates of growth for many years into the future. Our distinct business model and Three Horizons growth strategy have built a highly diversified platform across asset classes, geographies and product formats. This platform has supported strong growth to date and provides multiple pathways for further growth, including in larger international markets where we have demonstrated that the Pinnacle model can operate successfully.

Mr Macoun said net inflows were robust across all three channels of the business.

Pinnacle’s net profit for the year was $176.7 million, up from $134.4 million, and the company increased its dividend by 25% to 78.1 cents.

Broker says shares are looking cheap

Macquarie recently reviewed the quarterly performance of three of Pinnacle’s affiliates, the Metrics Master Income Trust (ASX: MXT), the Metrics Income Opportunities Trust (ASX: MOT), and the Metrics Real Estate Multi-Strategy Fund (ASX: MRE).

The returns of these year on year came in at 8.21%, 7.38%, and 11.06% respectively, Macquarie said.

They said their outperform rating on Pinnacle shares reflects attractive organic growth supported by funds under management growth, net funds inflows, plus the potential for accretive mergers and acquisitions.

Macquarie has a price target of $23.95 for Pinnacle, compared with the current share price of $14.45.

Pinnacle is valued at $3.44 billion.

The post Macquarie says this ASX financial share could jump 65% appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• A rare buying opportunity in 1 of Australia’s top shares?
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Monday
• 37 ASX shares going ex-dividend next week

Motley Fool contributor Cameron England 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 and Pinnacle Investment Management Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Pinnacle Investment Management 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.

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is barely higher on Monday, despite more stocks falling than rising.

At the time of writing, the benchmark index is up around 0.1% to 9,014 points, after closing 0.16% lower at 9,005 points on Friday.

But the gains are pretty narrow across the market. Around 105 ASX 200 shares are falling, compared with 85 trading higher and 10 unchanged.

So, what’s holding the ASX 200 up today?

Resources are holding the index up

The big miners are giving the market some support today.

BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) shares are up 1.38% to $63.11 after reports that China Baowu Steel Group is considering buying a 15% to 25% stake in BHP’s Jimblebar iron ore mine in Western Australia.

BHP has not confirmed any deal and said it regularly considers options that could create long-term value for shareholders.

Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO) shares are also 0.76% higher at $177.24, while Fortescue Ltd (ASX: FMG) shares have gained 1.60% to $17.50.

Energy stocks are also getting a lift as oil prices rise again amid renewed tensions between the US and Iran.

Brent crude is trading around US$96.45 a barrel, while US crude is near US$91.85.

Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) shares are up 0.88% to $32.11, and Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) shares have climbed 1.16% to $8.31.

Wall Street adds to rate concerns

US markets finished lower on Friday after a stronger-than-expected jobs report increased expectations that the Fed Reserve could lift interest rates again this month.

The US economy added 162,000 jobs in August, well ahead of forecasts, while the unemployment rate remained at 4.1%.

That pushed bond yields higher and weighed on Wall Street. The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) fell 0.51%, the S&P 500 Index (SP: .INX) dropped 0.38%, and the Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) lost 0.29%.

Markets are now putting the chance of a September rate hike at around 60%, up from roughly 50% before the jobs data was released.

That has also put focus on US inflation figures due on Friday, which could have a big say in what the Fed does at its next meeting.

Foolish takeaway

The ASX 200 is only just in positive territory, and the session still looks fairly mixed.

Whether it stays there could depend on how long the strength in resources lasts, especially with rate expectations moving around again.

With US inflation data to come this week, there’s still plenty that could change the direction of markets.

The post What’s keeping the ASX 200 in the green today? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Experts reckon this high-flying ASX 200 blue-chip stock is a buy
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Monday
• ASX 200 bank shares led a financial sector rebound last week
• What’s driving the ASX 200 higher today?
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Friday

Motley Fool contributor Aaron Teboneras 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 recommended BHP Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

It’s important to keep on top of how much is in your superannuation at every milestone. How else can you make sure you’re on track with your retirement goals?

At age 65, many Australians have either already begun or are very close to retirement. By this age, you can access your superannuation balance regardless of whether you’ve decided to stop work or not, and you’re just two years away from potentially receiving the Age Pension payment too.

So, do you know how your super balance compares to other Aussies the same age?

And do you know how much money you actually need to be able to retire?

Let’s break it down.

What is the average superannuation balance of Australian men aged 65 in FY27?

There isn’t an exact figure for the average superannuation balance for men at age 65, but the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA) provides a helpful guide.

The average 65 to 69-year-old Australian male in FY27 has an average superannuation balance of $448,518.

What is the average superannuation balance of Australian women aged 65 in FY27?

Unfortunately, women the same age have a lot less.

The average 65 to 69-year-old Australian female has an average superannuation balance of around $392,274 in FY27. That’s a gap of over $56,000 compared to men the same age.

The gap is mostly due to women taking extended periods out of the workforce, during which time they earn lower, or even no, compulsory employer superannuation. 

How does your super balance stack up with men and women the same age as you?

And most importantly, how does your balance compare with what you actually need to retire comfortably?

How do these balances compare to what I actually need to retire?

ASFA estimates that it’ll cost single Australians around $55,923 per year to retire comfortably. Couples living together will need to have closer to $78,566 per year combined to finance a comfortable retirement.

These figures also assume you’ll start your retirement at age 67. It also assumes that you’ll receive a part Age Pension around this time and that you own your home outright.

In order to fund a comfortable retirement, ASFA calculates that single Australians will need around $630,000 in their superannuation at age 67. 

Couples will need around $730,000 combined at the same age.

Is my superannuation on track?

To be able to meet this goal, ASFA forecasts that all Australians should have around $604,500 in their superannuation by the time they reach age 65.

How does your superannuation balance compare now?

I think my balance is falling behind. What can I do?

Even at age 65 it’s not too late to try to boost your balance before you stop working.

It’s best to start by making additional contributions to your superannuation. Take advantage of additional concessional or non-concessional contributions, and this can be done via salary sacrifice or by making after-tax payments (provided they’re within your annual limits).

If you’re eligible, there are also government initiatives available that could also help you bridge the gap between the superannuation balance you have and what you need.

The post The average superannuation balance of Australians aged 65 in FY27. How does yours stack up? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• How I’d target $5,000 a year in passive income from ASX shares
• Why is everyone talking about China and BHP shares today?
• These ASX shares benefit from a high Aussie dollar
• How Woodside shares are building a ‘unique position’ to supply global LNG markets
• Where does it end? Corporate Travel hit with another blow after crashing 85%

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 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.

A $5,000 annual passive income stream from ASX shares could make a meaningful difference to many investors.

It could help cover regular expenses, fund a few extras, or simply provide more financial flexibility.

So, how would I go about building towards that amount?

How much you need for this passive income

The starting point is fairly simple. A portfolio with a dividend yield averaging 4% would need to be worth around $125,000 to generate $5,000 a year in dividends.

At an average yield of 5%, the required portfolio value falls to roughly $100,000.

I would probably aim somewhere within that range.

There are ASX shares offering much higher yields, but I would be careful about building the plan around them. A large yield can sometimes reflect concerns about the business or expectations that the dividend will eventually be reduced.

I would prefer a slightly lower starting yield from companies where I have more confidence in the underlying earnings.

What might I buy?

National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB) is the type of passive income share I would consider.

Its strong position in business banking gives it relationships with Australian companies across lending, deposits, payments, and everyday banking. I think that provides a solid base for dividends over time.

Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS) could also have a place.

Mobile and internet services have become part of everyday life, giving Telstra relatively resilient demand. The company has also made a sustainable and growing dividend an important part of its long-term plans.

I would probably add a company such as Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL) as well.

Its dividend yield may not be as high, but grocery demand is dependable and analysts expect earnings and dividends to grow over the next few years.

I like that combination because passive income does not have to mean chasing the largest payment available today. Growing dividends can become increasingly valuable over a long holding period.

Keep the income diversified

I would also spread the portfolio across several industries.

Owning only banks might produce an attractive yield, but it would leave the income stream heavily exposed to the same economic and regulatory risks.

Adding telecommunications, consumer staples, healthcare, infrastructure, or other dividend-paying businesses could make the portfolio more resilient.

Franking credits can provide another benefit for eligible Australian investors, although their value will depend on individual tax circumstances.

Once the portfolio was generating around $5,000 annually, I could take the dividends as income when I needed them. Until then, I would generally reinvest the payments and keep adding to the portfolio.

Foolish takeaway

I think a portfolio worth somewhere around $100,000 to $125,000 is a sensible starting target for generating $5,000 a year in passive income.

From there, I would focus on owning strong businesses with dividends I believe can be maintained and ideally increased over time.

For me, that is a much more comfortable way to build an income stream than simply hunting for the highest yields on the ASX.

The post How I’d target $5,000 a year in passive income from ASX shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• These ASX shares benefit from a high Aussie dollar
• No savings at 30? Here’s how I’d aim to retire early with $1 million buying ASX shares
• Looking for income for life? These are the ASX shares I’d consider
• ASX 200 bank shares led a financial sector rebound last week
• Is Coles still one of the best defensive ASX shares to own?

Motley Fool contributor Grace Alvino 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 Telstra Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) shares are outperforming today.

Shares in the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) mining giant closed on Friday trading for $62.25. In late morning trade on Monday, shares are swapping hands for $63.00 apiece, up 1.2%.

For some context, the ASX 200 is up 0.1% at this same time.

That’s today’s price action for you.

Now, why is everyone talking about BHP shares and China?

China eyeing more control over BHP shares

China has long been the top export market for Australia’s iron ore.

Indeed, the Middle Kingdom’s voracious appetite for the industrial metal, alongside copper and coal, have helped support BHP shares over the years.

You may also be aware that the Chinese government has long been trying to increase its influence over how iron ore prices are set. And to increase the nation’s own exposure to the metal.

In the latest developments, two anonymous sources familiar with the matter (referenced by various news sources, including Reuters) said that global steel making giant China Baowu Steel Group is looking at taking a 15% to 25% stake in BHP’s Jimblebar iron ore mine, located in Western Australia.

And Australia’s opposition government is not pleased with the development. The Coalition has said that Labor must not allow foreign entities to buy one of Western Australia’s top iron ore mines.

Responding to the media speculaitons putting BHP shares in the headlines, the miner said:

BHP notes the recent media speculation regarding a potential partnership involving part of the Western Australia Iron Ore (WAIO) business.

BHP has a long history of partnerships at its assets and regularly explores options that may create long-term value to its shareholders. WAIO remains central to BHP’s portfolio and BHP remains fully committed to WAIO and to Western Australia.

What’s the latest from the miner’s WA iron ore operations?

When BHP released its full-year FY 2026 results on 18 August, the miner reported a 1% year-on-year increase in total iron ore production to 265 million tonnes.

The bulk of that came out of WAIO, which produced 257 million tonnes of iron ore in FY 2026.

BHP also achieved a 1% increase in its underlying earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) from its iron ore division to US$14.5 billion.

Management provided FY 2027 iron ore production guidance in the range of 260 million to 272 million tonnes.

BHP shares closed up 2.7% on the day of the results release.

The post Why is everyone talking about China and BHP shares today? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• These ASX shares benefit from a high Aussie dollar
• This ASX 200 giant is up 37% in 2026. Is the pullback worth buying?
• Buy, hold, sell: Pro Medicus, BHP, CBA shares
• No savings at 30? Here’s how I’d aim to retire early with $1 million buying ASX shares
• What’s driving the ASX 200 higher today?

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

Last week, the Australian dollar crossed the 72 US cents mark for the first time in more than three months. Investors have today returned from the weekend to see our Aussie dollar at about the same level, currently buying 72.1 US cents. It’s quite a comeback for a currency that was, as recently as July, trading at under 70 US cents. Moves like this one can seem inconsequential. But they can have a real impact on the value of ASX shares, and Australian investors’ portfolios by extension.

Remember, the exchange rate really prices the value of our currency, which naturally has far-reaching consequences across our economy. There are countless factors that pay into what one currency trades at compared to another. I won’t pretend to know everything that has caused our dollar to appreciate by close to 5% over the past two months or so. But there’s little doubt that inflation (and interest rate) expectations, the ongoing wars in the Middle East and Europe, as well as concerns about the mounting levels of debt in the United States, are all playing a part.

What moves a dollar?

So what does a higher dollar mean for ASX investors, aside from the odd case of a healthy bout of nationalistic pride?

Well, at a simple level, the primary outcome from an increase in the value of the Aussie dollar is that exporting goods or services becomes cheaper for consumers and companies, while importing becomes more expensive. To illustrate, let’s say an agricultural company has to buy fertiliser every month for US$100 a bag. Back in July, that bag would have cost roughly $144.50. Today, that same bag would only set the buyer back by $138.90.

However, let’s say that a bushel of wheat that could be grown using that fertiliser costs US$700. Back in July, our company would have received over $1,000 in our local currency. Today, they would get just over $972.

Which ASX shares prosper from a higher Aussie dollar?

A higher Aussie dollar benefits companies that import more goods or services than they export, and punishes companies that export more than they import.

As such, it’s clear that the biggest losers from a higher Aussie dollar are our major exporters. Namely, our largest mining stocks. The likes of BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP), Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO), Fortescue Ltd (ASX: FMG), Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS), and Northern Star Ltd (ASX: NST) are arguably some of the companies most exposed. So to are companies that report their earnings in US dollars. That includes CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL) and WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC).

Conversely, net importers will be lining up to enjoy the benefits of a higher Aussie dollar. That might be Ampol Ltd (ASX: ALD), which imports petroleum products to refine or on-sell. It could be Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES), which receives a huge amount of its stock for Bunnings and OfficeWorks from overseas. Ditto with JB Hi-Fi Ltd (ASX: JBH) or Harvey Norman Holdings Ltd (ASX: HVN). It could even give Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL) and Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW) a bit of a margin boost on any food or drinks that are grown or manufactured beyond our shores.

Not all companies are winners or losers, though. Changes in our currency would have little to no impact on the earnings of something like Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS) or Transurban Group (ASX: TCL).

Changes in the Aussie dollar can have a tangible impact on one’s ASX share portfolio. Keep that in mind if you’re wondering why one of your investments has been a bit of a laggard of late, or has jumped in value with no other obvious catalysts.

The post These ASX shares benefit from a high Aussie dollar appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• How I’d target $5,000 a year in passive income from ASX shares
• Why is everyone talking about China and BHP shares today?
• How Woodside shares are building a ‘unique position’ to supply global LNG markets
• What Warren Buffett’s investing style can teach superannuation investors
• This ASX 200 giant is up 37% in 2026. Is the pullback worth buying?

Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen has positions in CSL and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended CSL, Transurban Group, Wesfarmers, and WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Harvey Norman, Telstra Group, Transurban Group, and WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended BHP Group, CSL, and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) shares are marching higher today.

Shares in the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) energy stock closed on Friday trading for $31.83. In morning trade on Monday, shares are changing hands for $32.13 apiece, up 0.9%.

For some context, the ASX 200 is up 0.1% at this same time.

This sees Woodside shares up 35.8% in 2026, smashing the 3.2% year-to-date gains posted by the benchmark index.

That’s the recent share price action for you.

Now here’s how the Aussie energy giant is building a global LNG portfolio.

Woodside shares expanding global LNG footprint

Woodside’s major growth projects include the Trion oil field, located offshore Mexico, which was 64% complete at the end of H1 2026.

On the liquid natural gas (LNG) front, Woodside shares could get long-term support on two fronts.

First, its Scarborough Energy Project, a natural gas resource project located in Western Australia. At the end of H1 2026, Scarborough was 98% complete and on track for first LNG cargo in Q4 2026.

Then there’s the mammoth Louisiana LNG project in the United States, which was 28% complete at the end of H1 2026.

The approximately AU$24 billion project got the green light from former CEO Meg O’Neill in April 2025.

On completion, Louisiana LNG has a total permitted capacity of 27.6 million tonnes per annum.

The company stated:

Development of Louisiana LNG will position Woodside as a global LNG powerhouse, enabling the company to deliver approximately 24 Mtpa from its global LNG portfolio in the 2030s, and operating over 5% of global LNG supply.

And MST Marquee analyst Saul Kavonic noted that the United States, and Louisiana in particular, provide regulatory certainty that Woodside and other energy companies aren’t getting from Australia.

According to Kavonic (quoted by the Australian Financial Review):

The fact that even Woodside is looking to spend most of its next wave of investment in the US instead of Australia is a stark signal that Australia is losing its competitiveness to attract investment in our world-scale gas resource base.

Commenting on the company’s LNG ambitions intended to boost Woodside shares over the years, Liz Westcott, who took over the reins as Woodside CEO in March this year, said, “We’ll have LNG facilities in the Atlantic and the Pacific. That is really quite a unique position for an operator to be in.”

Woodside owns 90% of Louisiana LNG, with United States-based Williams holding the rest.

The post How Woodside shares are building a ‘unique position’ to supply global LNG markets appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• These ASX shares benefit from a high Aussie dollar
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Monday
• How much superannuation do I need to retire with a $50,000 annual passive income?
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Friday
• Own BHP, Woodside or Coles shares? Here’s what investors should know

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 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.

Corporate Travel Management Ltd (ASX: CTD) shares only returned to the ASX last Thursday, and the week couldn’t have gone much worse.

After more than a year suspended from trading, the stock crashed 86% on its first day back to close at $2.32. The selling continued on Friday, with Corporate Travel shares dropping another 3% to finish the week at $2.25.

The shares are rebounding slightly today, up 4% to $2.35 at the time of writing. Even with that recovery, they remain around 85% below the $16.07 level they were trading at before the suspension.

And investors now have another problem to think about.

Another legal headache

According to The Australian, law firm Phi Finney McDonald is investigating a potential class action against Corporate Travel Management and its former auditor, PwC Australia.

The law firm said it was “well advanced in its investigation” into what it described as financial misreporting over several years.

Any class action would allege that Corporate Travel misled investors through its annual financial reports over a multi-year period up to 2024, in breach of the Corporations Act.

It would also allege PwC engaged in misleading or deceptive conduct and made false statements about its auditing of the company’s financial reports.

Phi Finney McDonald principal lawyer Roop Sandhu told The Australian that investors were “rightfully concerned about what has happened to their investments”.

At this stage, no class action has been filed, but it is another issue shareholders could probably have done without.

Some signs of progress

Corporate Travel shares were suspended in August 2025 after accounting problems emerged around customer charge rates in its UK operations.

Since then, the company has been working through a large customer remediation program. Around 78% of refunds have been agreed or are close to finalisation, leaving roughly $55 million still to be dealt with.

The FY26 result did at least show the underlying business is moving in the right direction.

Revenue and other income rose 4% to $669.9 million, while underlying EBITDA increased 36% to $113.6 million. Corporate Travel also returned to profit, reporting net profit after tax (NPAT) of $17.7 million compared with a $348.5 million loss a year earlier.

Transaction volumes climbed 13% to 18.3 million, while the company secured $669 million of new business and $1.5 billion of re-tenders and renewals during the year.

Would I buy Corporate Travel shares?

I can see why some investors might look at the $2.35 share price and wonder whether most of the bad news is already priced in.

The business is still operating, earnings improved in FY26, and the shares have already taken a huge hit.

But I’d still be staying on the sidelines.

There’s a sizeable remediation bill to work through, the accounts carry a modified audit opinion, and there is now another potential legal issue hanging over the company.

After everything that has happened over the past year, I’d want to see a few of these issues resolved before considering the shares.

The post Where does it end? Corporate Travel hit with another blow after crashing 85% appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 3 ASX shares that cut their dividend this reporting season
• Corporate Travel Management shares crashed 80% on their first day back. What happened?
• Why I’m still smiling after losing 85%
• Warning: Corporate Travel shares have crashed 80%. What on earth just happened?
• Corporate Travel Management shares resume trading after FY26 report

Motley Fool contributor Aaron Teboneras 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 Corporate Travel Management. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Corporate Travel Management. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

If I had $10,000 available for ASX growth shares today, I would be comfortable splitting it between the two businesses in this article whose share prices have fallen sharply.

Both still have plenty to prove, but I think the long-term opportunities remain substantial.

Here is where I would put the money.

Catapult Sports Ltd (ASX: CAT)

I would invest $5,000 into Catapult Sports.

Its shares may be down heavily from their highs, but I think the underlying opportunity in professional sport remains intact.

Professional sport is global, highly competitive, and increasingly willing to spend on anything that can improve preparation or decision-making.

Catapult develops technology used by elite sporting organisations to understand what is happening on the field, in training, and across an athlete’s wider performance.

What interests me is how deeply this technology can become embedded in a team’s decision-making. A club can use Catapult to measure physical workloads, review video, assess tactical patterns, and manage preparation. Over time, more of those functions can sit within the same technology ecosystem.

That gives Catapult room to grow by winning new customers and becoming more valuable to existing ones over the next decade and beyond.

SiteMinder Ltd (ASX: SDR)

My other $5,000 would go into SiteMinder, whose shares have also fallen heavily from their 52-week high.

This ASX growth share builds technology that sits behind hotel bookings.

Hotels need to make rooms available across multiple channels, manage pricing, encourage direct bookings, and keep inventory updated as reservations arrive. SiteMinder brings much of that together.

I think the long-term opportunity comes from the sheer number of accommodation providers that still have room to modernise how they sell rooms.

Running a hotel is already complicated enough without staff manually adjusting availability and pricing across numerous booking platforms. Better software can remove some of that work while helping operators reach more travellers.

SiteMinder is also developing more automated tools, including artificial intelligence capabilities that could help hotels respond to demand and manage distribution with less manual input.

If more accommodation providers decide their technology needs an upgrade, I think SiteMinder can become an increasingly important part of how hotels operate online.

Foolish takeaway

I would be comfortable putting $5,000 behind each of these ASX growth shares.

The recent falls do not remove the risks, and both companies still need to execute well. But I think Catapult Sports and SiteMinder are addressing markets that should keep becoming more technology-driven. 

At today’s lower share prices, I would be willing to back that opportunity with a long-term view.

The post Why I’d invest $10,000 into these ASX growth shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Where I’d invest $15,000 in ASX shares now
• 2 ASX shares tipped to grow 60% or more in the next 12 months
• Why I think this is a top ASX tech share to buy today
• SiteMinder: FY26 profit nearly doubles, revenue jumps 22%
• 3 ASX shares I’d buy for their global growth potential

Motley Fool contributor Grace Alvino 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 Catapult Sports and SiteMinder. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Catapult Sports and SiteMinder. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.