Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO) shares are edging higher on Thursday.

At the time of writing, the accounting software stock is up 0.82% to $81.37.

It has been a much better story over the past month, with Xero shares gaining around 14% after falling to a 7-year low of $61.45 in late July.

But even after that rebound, the stock is still down close to 30% since the start of 2026 and more than 50% below its 52-week high of $166.

So, can Xero shares continue their comeback?

Xero is still growing

The share price has taken a beating, but the business itself is still growing at a decent rate.

Xero reported FY26 operating revenue of NZ$2.75 billion, up 31%, while annualised monthly recurring revenue jumped 37% to NZ$3.27 billion.

The company also added 506,000 customers during the year, taking its global customer base to 4.92 million.

Average revenue per customer rose 23% to NZ$55.44, while adjusted EBITDA increased 18% to NZ$757.4 million.

Net profit went the other way, falling 27% to NZ$167.4 million, with costs from the Melio acquisition weighing on the result.

Still, management expects another strong year ahead.

FY27 revenue guidance sits between NZ$3.62 billion and NZ$3.73 billion, which points to growth of around 30% at the midpoint.

And Xero still has plenty of room to grow. The company has previously estimated its total addressable market at around 100 million small and medium-sized businesses.

That compares with fewer than 5 million customers today.

What do the brokers think?

Despite the weak share price, several brokers still see plenty of upside.

Citi has a buy rating and $113.60 price target, while Morgan Stanley is even more bullish with a $130 target.

UBS sits at $127, Ord Minnett at $110, and Morgans at $111.

But there are some more cautious views as well. RBC Capital has a hold rating and $85 target, while Jefferies has a $77 target.

According to TipRanks, the average 12-month price target is $99.29.

That would put the shares around 22% above where they trade today.

Is the comeback getting started?

I think there’s still a bit more to prove before this rally can really get going.

Xero needs to keep growing while integrating Melio and making sure higher costs don’t eat too far into earnings.

However, the rebound from its $61.45 low is at least a sign that investors are starting to take another look at the stock.

At $81 a pop, Xero shares certainly look more appealing than they did when they were swapping hands for close to $200.

If the company delivers on FY27 guidance and keeps making progress in the US, the shares should keep climbing.

The post This ASX 200 tech giant is down 30% in 2026. Can it make a comeback? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• How I’d use ASX shares to build wealth outside my superannuation
• Xero shares jump 33% from a 7-year low: Buy, sell or hold?
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• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today

Citigroup is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. 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 Jefferies Financial Group and 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.

The Nine Entertainment Co. Holdings Ltd (ASX: NEC) share price is in focus after WIN Group announced it has increased its economic interest in Nine Entertainment to 31.18%, following on-market purchases of 47 million shares since April 2026. WIN Group’s voting power in Nine has also risen to 25.94%.

What did Nine Entertainment report?

• WIN Group acquired 47,012,885 Nine shares on market between 27 August and 3 September 2026.
• WIN Group’s aggregate economic interest increased from 28.22% to 31.18%.
• Voting power for WIN Group rose from 22.98% to 25.94%.
• No changes were made to WIN Group’s existing cash-settled equity swap position in Nine.
• Total shares held by WIN Group now stand at over 411 million.

What else do investors need to know?

Nine Entertainment disclosed these substantial shareholdings after receiving a formal update from WIN Group, led by Bruce Gordon through Birketu Pty Ltd and WIN Corporation Pty Ltd. The acquisitions reinforce WIN Group’s position as the largest shareholder in Nine, and mark a notable increase from its previously disclosed position in April 2026.

The move was disclosed in accordance with Takeovers Panel Guidance Note 20, ensuring the market is kept informed on changes that could affect control or influence within the company. Nine released the information to the ASX to maintain transparency and comply with regulatory requirements.

What’s next for Nine Entertainment?

Looking ahead, investors will be watching whether WIN Group continues to consolidate its interest in Nine Entertainment Co. Any further increases in shareholding or moves relating to the company’s strategic direction could influence future governance and business decisions.

The company plans to keep shareholders and the market informed about any future changes to major shareholdings, in line with its ongoing disclosure obligations.

Nine Entertainment share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Nine Entertainment shares have declined 41%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO), which has risen 2% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post WIN Group increases Nine Entertainment stake past 31% 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 recommended Nine Entertainment. 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.

Earnings season has just finished, the economy is growing slowly (but also too quickly!), and rate rises are on the horizon.

There is a lot going on in the world at the moment. And it’s affecting our economy and investments.

Our Chief Investment Officer, Scott Phillips, will be hosting a LIVE one-hour market update and Q&A TODAY, September 4, 2026 at 12pm AEST to update viewers with his thoughts on all of that and more.

Plus, taking your questions, LIVE, on YouTube in the process.

And you can watch it right here!

The post YouTube LIVE: Today at 12pm AEST appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Scott Phillips 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.