I think it could be a mistake to think that the largest S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) growth shares have finished expanding.

For starters, there are reasons why those businesses have been as successful as they have – their product/service attracted customers and the economic moat has kept them ahead of competitors. I think it’s likely these winning ASX 200 shares can continue to perform, which is why I’m a big fan of the below names.

Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO)

Xero is one of the world’s leading cloud accounting providers for small and medium businesses.

Its software is very popular with subscribers thanks to its easy-to-understand layout, efficiency tools and digital capabilities for reporting figures to the government.

The ASX 200 share has a subscriber retention rate of around 99% each year, which is a great sign of the value customers get and allows the business to implement price increases over time without losing many subscribers.

If its revenue and cash flow continue growing at a strong double-digit pace, the company’s valuation (which has fallen substantially in recent times – down 40% in six months) could be very attractive.

The fact its gross profit margin remains close to 90% is a very good sign for further profit growth as it adds more subscribers.

TechnologyOne Ltd (ASX: TNE)

This is another ASX 200 share with an exceptional record and plans to become much larger. It provides enterprise resource planning (ERP) software in multiple countries.

By the end of the decade, the business is aiming for $1 billion of annualised recurring revenue (ARR), which would be close to a doubling of that figure over the next five years.

That growth is likely to be driven by two key elements.

First, it’s targeting the UK which has similar sorts of potential customers as Australia: local councils, companies, governments, universities and so on. It recently won two important London borough councils as subscribers.

Another long-term driver of revenue could be the company’s high net revenue retention (NRR). This explains how much of last year’s revenue it retained from the existing client base. It’s hitting a NRR rate of 115%, meaning 15% more revenue than last year.

It’s achieving such a high growth rate because the ASX 200 share is successfully improving the software and selling more modules. Growing revenue at 15% per year means it would double in five years.

The business is also expecting its profit before tax (PBT) to climb towards 35% in the coming years, making it more likely that its bottom line can continue its ascent to much larger figures in the next five years.

According to the forecast on CMC Markets, the TechnologyOne share price is valued at 39x FY28’s estimated earnings.

The post 2 ASX 200 shares that could be top buys for growth appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• The a2 Milk Company shares fall 11% after responding to an ASX price query

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

Whitehaven Coal Ltd (ASX: WHC) shares have had an excellent start to 2026. 

Since New Year’s Day, its stock price has jumped more than 12%. 

Whitehaven Coal is a leading Australian coal producer. 

Investors have been gobbling up Whitehaven Coal shares to start the year for a combination of reasons: 

• The outlook for long-term coal demand is getting a big boost as China prepares to launch more than 100 coal-fired power generators that are expected to supply electricity across the globe this year.
• Broader investment in ASX energy sector. 
• Whitehaven Coal continues sound operational results despite challenging conditions.

These factors have helped push Whitehaven Coal shares higher, and for brokers to adjust near-term outlooks.

Bell Potter updates near-term coal price outlook

Whitehaven Coal’s main focus is in the Gunnedah Basin in northwest New South Wales, where it operates six mines – five open cut and one underground. It operates one in the Bowen Basin of QLD.

In a new report from Bell Potter yesterday, the broker said in 2026 to-date, extreme weather conditions have impacted supply across the Bowen Basin and logistics chain resulting in elevated shipping queues at Queensland’s coal export terminals.

The report also noted that the Newcastle thermal coal benchmark has remained relatively subdued, averaging US$108/t in the December 2025 quarter (down 2% QoQ, spot US$109/t) with strong quarterly shipments out of the Port of Newcastle of 42Mt. 

This is the highest level since the September 2021 quarter.

Bell Potter has raised its short-term coal price forecasts, which is supportive for Whitehaven Coal’s earnings in the next few years. Long-term assumptions remain unchanged.

We have tapered our production outlook across the forecast period in line with recent operational performance. Together with the coal price update, EPS changes are: FY26 +99%; FY27 +75%; and FY28 +49%.

Investment outlook for Whitehaven Coal shares 

Whitehaven Coal shares closed trading yesterday at $8.80 each. 

This is a rise of almost 40% in the last year. 

Bell Potter has raised its price target to $8.40 (previously $7.00). 

However the broker has a hold recommendation based on its current valuation. 

The broker said the miner is positioned to capitalise on improved coal markets with its portfolio of operating and development assets that are diversified by product (met/thermal) and location (Queensland/New South Wales). 

We have a positive long term met coal outlook, driven by constrained supply and increased demand from steel producers reliant on seaborne met coal (i.e. India). We maintain a Hold rating given WHC’s current market valuation.

The post Top broker just increased its price target on Whitehaven Coal shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today

Motley Fool contributor Aaron Bell 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.

ASX coal giant Yancoal Australia Ltd (ASX: YAL) shares finished Monday’s session up 1.48% at $5.47, ahead of the company releasing its latest quarterly report after market close.

The update covered the December 2025 quarter and offered a clearer picture of how Yancoal is navigating a mixed coal price environment. It also highlighted how the company closed out the year as market conditions remained challenging.

So, let’s take a closer look at the numbers.

Record production caps off a strong year

According to the release, Yancoal delivered 18.9 million tonnes of ROM coal production on a 100% basis in the December quarter. This translated into attributable saleable coal production of 10.4 million tonnes.

For the full year, attributable saleable coal production reached 38.6 million tonnes, marking a company record. The result came in at the top of the 35 to 39 million tonne guidance range. Management highlighted strong operational performance across most sites, with improved reliability and productivity offsetting weather and geological challenges at a handful of mines.

Sales volumes also remained solid, with 10.8 million tonnes of attributable coal sold during the quarter.

Coal prices stabilise as margins hold up

While international coal markets remained volatile, Yancoal’s realised pricing improved quarter-on-quarter.

The company reported an average realised thermal coal price of $138 per tonne and an average realised metallurgical coal price of $203 per tonne. That lifted Yancoal’s overall average realised coal price to $148 per tonne, up from $140 in the prior quarter.

This improvement came even as benchmark prices weakened, reflecting the strength of Yancoal’s product mix, and contract sales.

Cash balance jumps to $2.13 billion

One of the most notable outcomes was Yancoal’s balance sheet strength.

The company finished the quarter with a cash balance of $2.13 billion, up $307 million from the end of September. This came after covering all operating costs, capital spending, tax payments, and rehabilitation costs.

Management said the stronger balance sheet gives the company more flexibility, including the ability to consider dividends and future growth options. More detail is expected with the full-year results next month.

What about the coal market outlook?

Globally, coal markets remain challenged by high supply and uneven demand. Thermal coal prices have traded in a broad range over recent months, while metallurgical coal demand has been mixed amid slower steel production in parts of Asia and Europe.

That said, coal prices have shown signs of stabilisation, with Newcastle thermal coal recently trading around US$110 per tonne. Ongoing energy security concerns, especially in Asia, continue to support demand despite long-term decarbonisation plans.

Foolish takeaway

Yancoal’s latest quarterly report showed the business is executing well in a tougher pricing environment. Record production, improving realised prices, and a $2.13 billion cash balance underline the company’s resilience.

Despite cyclical coal markets, Yancoal’s strong operations and balance sheet have helped support the share price.

The post This ASX coal giant just delivered a record quarter. Is it back in favour? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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 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.

Are you hunting for an income boost? If you are, it could be worth checking out the five ASX dividend stocks listed below.

Here’s why I think they could be top picks for income investors in 2026:

Accent Group Ltd (ASX: AX1)

Accent Group operates a portfolio of well-known footwear brands and has shown it can manage inventory, margins, and store rollouts with discipline. While retail is often seen as unpredictable and trading conditions are tough at present, I believe the next decade will be very positive as it rolls out the Sports Direct brand across the country. So, with its shares down heavily over the past 12 months, now could be an opportune time to snap up shares.

Dicker Data Ltd (ASX: DDR)

Dicker Data could be an ASX dividend stock to buy for 2026. It is a computer hardware and software distributor. This position gives it exposure to long-term technology spending without the volatility often associated with frontline tech businesses. As long as businesses continue upgrading systems and infrastructure, demand flows through its network. That has translated into reliable earnings and dividends over the past decade. I expect this trend to continue over the next decade.

Harvey Norman Holdings Ltd (ASX: HVN)

Harvey Norman is one of Australia’s largest retailers. In addition, it owns a substantial property portfolio. This provides an additional layer of support during weaker retail cycles and gives management flexibility when allocating capital. While its earnings can move with consumer spending, Harvey Norman has historically been able to generate enough cash to reward shareholders across all cycles. I believe this will continue in the future.

Rural Funds Group (ASX: RFF)

Another ASX dividend stock to look at is Rural Funds Group. It owns agricultural assets such as farmland, water entitlements, and vineyards, leasing them to operators on long-term agreements. This structure means income is driven more by lease contracts than commodity prices and earnings visibility is very high. This has allowed the company to increase its dividend consistently over the past decade, with more of the same expected over the remainder of the 2020s.

Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW)

Finally, Woolworths could be an ASX dividend stock for income investors to buy. This supermarket giant sits at the centre of Australian household spending, with scale that allows it to manage pricing, supply, and margins more effectively than most competitors. That operational depth supports steady cash generation year after year. And while it may not offer the highest dividend yield in the market, it has potential to grow at a solid rate over the next 10 years.

The post 5 excellent ASX dividend stocks I would buy in 2026 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Accent Group and Woolworths Group. 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, Harvey Norman, Rural Funds Group, and Woolworths Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Accent Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

On Monday, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) started the week with a decline. The benchmark index fell 0.3% to 8,874.5 points.

Will the market be able to bounce back from this on Tuesday? Here are five things to watch:

ASX 200 expected to fall again

The Australian share market looks set to fall again on Tuesday following a poor start to the week in Europe. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is poised to open the day 35 points or 0.4% lower. Wall Street was closed for a public holiday, but in Europe the DAX was down 1.35%, the FTSE was down 0.4%, and the CAC dropped 1.8%.

Oil prices flat

It could be a subdued session for ASX 200 energy shares Karoon Energy Ltd (ASX: KAR) and Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) after oil prices traded flat overnight. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price is US$59.44 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price is trading at US$64.12 a barrel. This reflects easing tensions in the Middle East.

BHP update

All eyes will be on BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) shares on Tuesday when the mining giant releases its second quarter update. A relatively mixed result is expected from Australia’s largest miner. For example, Morgan Stanley expects copper production to come in ahead of consensus estimates. Whereas Macquarie expects iron ore and copper in line with consensus estimates and metallurgical coal to miss consensus estimates by 10%.

Gold price jumps

ASX 200 gold shares Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) and Ramelius Resources Ltd (ASX: RMS) could have a good session on Tuesday after the gold price jumped overnight. According to CNBC, the gold futures price is up 1.8% to US$4,676.7 an ounce. This was driven by safe haven demand after Donald Trump threatened tariffs on country’s blocking his move for Greenland.

Hold Whitehaven shares

Whitehaven Coal Ltd (ASX: WHC) shares are fully valued according to analysts at Bell Potter. This morning, the broker has retained its hold rating on the coal miner’s shares with an improved price target of $8.40. It said: “WHC is positioned to capitalise on improved coal markets with its portfolio of operating and development assets that are diversified by product (met/thermal) and location (Queensland/New South Wales). We have a positive long term met coal outlook, driven by constrained supply and increased demand from steel producers reliant on seaborne met coal (i.e. India). We maintain a Hold rating given WHC’s current market valuation.”

The post 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Tuesday appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
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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 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.

Your 30s are a powerful decade for investing. You typically still have time on your side, the ability to ride out volatility, and the option to focus on growth. That makes this stage ideal for backing long-term themes, high-quality businesses, and sectors that could still look very different a decade from now.

Exchange traded funds (ETFs) make this easier by offering diversified exposure without the need to pick individual winners. With that in mind, here are five ASX ETFs that could be particularly well suited to investors in their 30s.

iShares S&P 500 ETF (ASX: IVV)

The iShares S&P 500 ETF provides access to the engine room of global equity markets.

This ASX ETF tracks the S&P 500 index, which includes many of the world’s most influential companies across technology, healthcare, consumer goods, and financials. Holdings include global leaders such as Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL), Microsoft Corp (NASDAQ: MSFT), and Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ).

What could make the iShares S&P 500 ETF appealing for investors in their 30s is its balance. It offers exposure to innovation and growth, but through established businesses with scale, profitability, and long operating histories. Over long periods, this combination has proven to be a powerful driver of wealth creation.

Betashares Global Quality Leaders ETF (ASX: QLTY)

The Betashares Global Quality Leaders ETF is built around business strength rather than market size.

The ETF screens for stocks with high returns on equity, low leverage, and stable earnings, resulting in a portfolio that leans toward resilient global leaders. Holdings currently include companies such as Visa (NYSE: V), Nestlé (SWX: NESN), Uber (NASDAQ: UBER), L’Oreal, and UnitedHealth (NYSE: UNH).

For investors in their 30s, the Betashares Global Quality Leaders ETF offers an important lesson early. Not all growth comes from disruption. Some of the best long-term outcomes come from businesses that quietly compound by executing well year after year.

Betashares Australian Quality ETF (ASX: AQLT)

The Betashares Australian Quality ETF applies the same quality lens but closer to home.

Rather than simply owning the biggest Australian shares, this ASX ETF tilts toward businesses with strong balance sheets, consistent profitability, and reliable earnings. This often results in exposure to companies such as CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL), Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA), and Goodman Group (ASX: GMG).

This means that it can serve as a smarter way to access the Australian market. It keeps exposure local, but with an emphasis on business quality rather than pure size or yield.

Betashares Global Robotics and Artificial Intelligence ETF (ASX: RBTZ)

The Betashares Global Robotics and Artificial Intelligence ETF is about backing the tools shaping the future of work and production.

This ASX ETF invests in companies involved in robotics, automation, and artificial intelligence, including names such as NVIDIA (NASDAQ: NVDA), Intuitive Surgical (NASDAQ: ISRG), and Keyence Corp.

What arguably makes the Betashares Global Robotics and Artificial Intelligence ETF attractive for investors in their 30s is its long runway. Adoption of automation and AI is still unfolding across manufacturing, healthcare, logistics, and services.

Betashares Global Cybersecurity ETF (ASX: HACK)

Finally, the Betashares Global Cybersecurity ETF provides exposure to a growing industry.

As businesses, governments, and individuals move more of their lives online, cybersecurity has become essential infrastructure. This ASX ETF invests in companies focused on protecting data and networks, with holdings such as CrowdStrike (NASDAQ: CRWD), Palo Alto Networks (NASDAQ: PANW), and Fortinet (NASDAQ: FTNT).

Overall, the Betashares Global Cybersecurity ETF offers access to a theme driven by necessity rather than choice. This could make it a great buy and hold pick.

The post 5 strong ASX ETFs to buy in your 30s appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in CSL and Goodman Group. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Apple, BetaShares Global Cybersecurity ETF, CSL, CrowdStrike, Fortinet, Goodman Group, Intuitive Surgical, Microsoft, Nvidia, Visa, and iShares S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Johnson & Johnson, Nestlé, Palo Alto Networks, and UnitedHealth Group and has recommended the following options: long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Apple, CSL, CrowdStrike, Goodman Group, Microsoft, Nvidia, Visa, and iShares S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Catalyst Metals Ltd (ASX: CYL) shares started the week with a bang.

The ASX 200 gold stock surged 8% to a fresh record high of $9.73 on Monday but ending the session at $9.64.

Why did this ASX 200 gold stock jump?

Investors were buying the gold miner’s shares after it revealed a significant new high-grade discovery at its Plutonic Gold Belt in Western Australia.

According to the release, strong new drilling results have been achieved at the Cinnamon trend, located around 25 kilometres from the Plutonic processing plant.

The company notes that its latest drilling has confirmed a high-grade gold zone over a 400-metre strike length beneath the existing Cinnamon open pit resource. Importantly, this zone remains open both along strike and at depth, which highlights clear potential for further expansion as drilling continues.

The newly reported drill intercepts included standout results such as 18 metres at 9.7 grams per tonne of gold, 19 metres at 4.1 grams per tonne of gold, and 30 metres at 2.9 grams per tonne of gold.

The ASX 200 gold stock highlights that these results build on earlier high-grade intersections that were reported in October. This includes 33 metres at 7.4 grams per tonne and 22 metres at 14.3 grams per tonne.

While Cinnamon is currently an undeveloped open pit resource of 145,000 ounces, today’s announcement changes the investment narrative.

Management believes Cinnamon could now support a standalone underground mining operation, potentially becoming Plutonic’s sixth ore source. This would add further optionality and flexibility to the production profile, while helping underpin the company’s target of lifting annual gold production from ~100,000 ounces to ~200,000 ounces.

It is worth noting that Cinnamon is not included in Catalyst Metals’ existing 10-year production plan, meaning any successful development could represent upside beyond current forecasts.

Commenting on the news, the ASX 200 gold stock’s managing director and CEO, James Champion de Crespigny, said:

Since Catalyst acquired Plutonic, it has only had the time and capital to explore at Plutonic and Trident. Both Reserves have doubled under Catalyst’s ownership. The next target was Cinnamon. The results today, and those released back in October 2025, suggest the potential to replicate this success again. What is also exciting is that we are awaiting further results from K2 and Old Highway – two attractive prospects. The 2025 financial year had a strong focus on exploration at Plutonic and to date, this seems to be delivering results.

The post Why this ASX 200 gold stock jumped 8% to a record high today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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 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.

The post Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Lynas Rare Earths 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.

The a2 Milk Company Ltd (ASX: A2M) shares have fallen 11% after the company responded to an ASX price query, confirming no undisclosed material information. Management pointed to an external market announcement as a context for the volatility.

What did The a2 Milk Company report?

• The company confirmed it is not aware of any unannounced information that could explain its recent share price drop.
• The share price declined from a close of $9.40 on 16 January 2026 to a low of $8.01 on 19 January 2026.
• The company cited the official release of China’s newborn statistics for 2025 as a potential contributor to share price movements.
• A2M confirmed it continues to meet its ASX disclosure obligations.
• All responses to the ASX were properly authorised and compliant with its continuous disclosure policy.

What else do investors need to know?

The a2 Milk Company’s update was issued following a formal price query from ASX, triggered by the recent sharp fall in the a2 Milk share price. Management responded to assure investors and the market that no confidential or material information had been withheld.

The company also clarified that it remains compliant with all ASX Listing Rules, particularly around continuous disclosure. The only explanation provided for the market reaction was the public release of China’s annual newborn numbers, which are closely watched by investors due to the company’s exposure to the infant formula segment.

What’s next for The a2 Milk Company?

Looking ahead, The a2 Milk Company will continue to focus on its strategies in international markets, particularly China, where sector trends and birth rates can influence investor sentiment. The business remains committed to transparency and compliance to help bolster investor confidence in periods of share price volatility.

Investors can expect further updates from a2 Milk as new market data emerges, particularly as the company navigates evolving demographic and regulatory landscapes overseas. The company reassures shareholders that it remains vigilant in monitoring market disclosures.

The a2 Milk Company share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, the a2 Milk Company shares have risen 43%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has increased 6% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post The a2 Milk Company shares fall 11% after responding to an ASX price query appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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.

Shares in accounting software company Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO) have had a tough start to the year.

The Xero share price is now down almost 15% in 2026, and in the latest session it has fallen 4.77% to $98.69. Importantly, that move pushed the stock below the $100 psychological level for the first time since November 2023.

So why is Xero under pressure, and does this move signal something more serious for investors?

Earnings worries are weighing on sentiment

One key reason behind the weakness is earnings.

Xero continues to grow revenue at a healthy pace as more small businesses move to cloud accounting. Subscriber numbers are rising, and customer retention remains strong.

However, profit growth has fallen short of expectations. In its most recent results, Xero reported earnings per share (EPS) below what the market was looking for, despite higher revenue and a higher overall profit.

Investors also raised questions around costs and margins, particularly as Xero continues to spend heavily on product development and its US expansion. While these investments may support long-term growth, they have weighed on near-term profitability.

Big US expansion comes with risks

Another factor weighing on sentiment is Xero’s push into the United States.

The company has invested heavily to expand its presence in the US market, including major spending on payments and platform capability. Over the long term, this could unlock a much larger growth opportunity.

In the short term, though, investors are focused on higher costs and margin pressure. It appears the market wants clearer evidence that this spending will translate into stronger profits, not just revenue growth.

Global tech weakness is not helping

It is also hard to ignore the global backdrop.

Technology stocks have been volatile, particularly in the United States. As the old investing saying goes, when the US sneezes, the rest of the world often catches a cold.

As a well-known ASX technology stock, Xero is especially sensitive to changes in global risk sentiment. Recent weakness in offshore tech markets has likely added to the selling pressure on its shares.

The big picture

Despite the recent fall, Xero remains a high-quality business with recurring revenue, strong brand recognition, and a long growth runway.

That said, investors are becoming more cautious about profitability and execution. In my view, the move below $100 reflects hesitation rather than panic.

For investors, the key issue now is whether earnings growth can catch up to expectations. If it does, confidence could return. If not, the share price may continue to drift lower.

The post Xero breaks below $100 for the first time since 2023. What is happening? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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