Sydney, Feb 15, 2026, 17:17 AEDT — Market closed.
WiseTech Global Ltd slumped 10.4% on Friday to finish at A$42.62, scraping a 52-week low of A$40.59 along the way and putting the logistics tech firm on shaky ground for Monday. Shares gave up A$4.95 from Thursday’s A$47.57 close, trading in a volatile band between A$40.59 and A$45.04 during the session. The company is valued at roughly A$14.32 billion, with a trailing P/E near 50, according to Google Finance. (Google)
Software stocks have been caught in a sharp pullback, part of a wider flight as investors fret that new AI tools might take over jobs once handled by subscription software. Reuters has labeled this the “AI scare trade” following Anthropic’s rollout of a legal AI plug-in. Barclays equity strategist Emmanuel Cau put it bluntly, describing the current mood as “sell first think later.” (Reuters)
That’s a key point for WiseTech. Recurring fees make up a large chunk of revenue for software-as-a-service—SaaS—companies, who rely on subscriptions instead of selling licences outright. Whenever investors doubt how solid those margins really are, the initial reaction can be sharp.
Australian shares slid as well. The S&P/ASX 200 ended down roughly 125 points, losing 1.4% on Friday. AMP chief economist Shane Oliver said the “rotation from tech to non-tech” could keep playing out—so long as tech stocks don’t face excessive pressure. (ABC News)
Jefferies analysts Roger Samuel and Lucy Krimmer described the recent plunge in Australian software stocks as “indiscriminate,” saying some stocks are now trading near valuation floors. WiseTech, they said, stands out as the “most resilient” name in the face of AI disruption, thanks largely to the complexity of global logistics workflows. Looking ahead, they see CargoWise revenue growth picking up to 18% in the back half of 2026. There’s also room for upside, they added, as e2open integration could drive cost synergies. Jefferies put “buy” calls on WiseTech, TechnologyOne and SiteMinder, and kept Xero at “hold,” according to the note. (Investing)
But there’s a catch with this trade: chasing “AI losers” can trigger a rough cycle, where investors dump shares now and worry about the rationale later. WiseTech’s high valuation and sharp moves so far this year leave it vulnerable—another jolt in global tech mood could ricochet right into Monday’s open.
The ASX stays closed for the weekend, so focus shifts to U.S. tech action, volatility readings, and fresh AI product news until local sessions start up again. As for WiseTech, all eyes on whether buyers hold the line at Friday’s low—or if the stock drifts down there again when trading kicks off.
WiseTech’s next big event lands Feb. 25, when it reports half-year results. That’s the next hard catalyst on the schedule. (Wisetechglobal)
