Why the Afterpay share price crashed 9% lower today

The Afterpay Ltd (ASX:APT) share price crashed as much as 9% lower this morning. Here's why its shares have been sold off today…

| More on:

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

The Afterpay Ltd (ASX: APT) share price has been out of form on Friday and is on course to end the week with a sizeable decline.

In early trade the payments company's shares fell as much as 9% to $76.13.

They have since recovered a touch but are still down a disappointing 5% to $79.68.

Why is the Afterpay share price dropping lower?

Investors have been selling Afterpay and other ASX tech shares on Friday after Wall Street's tech-focused Nasdaq index crashed lower overnight.

The Nasdaq index fell a sizeable 5% on Thursday night in what appears to have been a move driven by profit taking after some very strong gains in 2020.

One of the worst performers was the Apple share price. It lost a massive 8% of its value overnight.

However, it is worth noting that even after the Nasdaq's sizeable decline, the famous index is up an incredible 26% since the start of the year despite the global pandemic.

What about other tech shares?

It isn't just the Afterpay share price that is under pressure on Friday. Australian investors are selling a wide range of popular tech shares this morning.

Among the declines are the Appen Ltd (ASX: APX) share price and the Xero Limited (ASX: XRO) share price. At the time of writing, Appen shares are down 6% to $32.65 and Xero shares are over 4% lower at $96.26.

The WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC) share price is another poor performer. The logistics solutions company's shares have fallen 7% to $27.70.

The Kogan.com Ltd (ASX: KGN) share price has also fallen by the same margin, along with fellow high-flying ecommerce company Redbubble Ltd (ASX: RBL).

Is this a buying opportunity?

When the dust settles on this selling I think there will certainly be a few buying opportunities.

The one that jumps out most to me is Appen. With its shares now down 25% from their 52-week high, I think it could be an opportune time to make a long term investment.

James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns shares of Kogan.com ltd, WiseTech Global, and Xero. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of AFTERPAY T FPO and Appen Ltd. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Kogan.com ltd. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

More on Share Fallers

a man weraing a suit sits nervously at his laptop computer biting into his clenched hand with nerves, and perhaps fear.
Share Fallers

Why Brightstar, EQ Resources, Novonix, and Pro Medicus shares are falling today

These shares are under pressure on hump day. But why?

Read more »

Frustrated and shocked business woman reading bad news online from phone.
Share Fallers

Why New Hope, Pepper Money, Pro Medicus, and Reece shares are falling today

These shares are having a tough time on Tuesday. But why?

Read more »

A man in a business suit looks at a gold phone with his head in an exploding cloud of gold dust.
Gold

Newmont stock has plunged 17% in March. Here's why

This war has had an unusual effect on the price of gold.

Read more »

a woman looks exhausted and overwhelmed as she slumps forward into her hand while looking at her laptop screen.
Share Fallers

Why Regis Resources, Strike Energy, Telix, and Virgin Australia shares are falling today

These shares are starting the week in the red. But why?

Read more »

A man sits in despair at his computer with his hands either side of his head, staring into the screen with a pained and anguished look on his face, in a home office setting.
Share Fallers

Why CAR Group, Immutep, Northern Star, and Syrah Resources shares are sinking today

These shares are ending the week in the red? Here's why.

Read more »

Frustrated stock trader screaming while looking at mobile phone, symbolising a falling share price.
Share Fallers

Why EOS, GQG, Liontown, and Temple & Webster shares are tumbling today

These shares are struggling on Thursday. Let's find out what's going on.

Read more »

Person with thumbs down and a red sad face poster covering the face.
Share Fallers

Why Breville, Forrestania Resources, GQG Partners, and WiseTech shares are falling today

These shares are having a tough time on hump day. But why?

Read more »

A young woman holds an open book over her head with a round mouthed expression as if to say oops as she looks at her computer screen in a home office setting with a plant on the desk and shelves of books in the background.
Share Fallers

Why Coles, Pantoro Gold, Seek, and Woodside shares are falling today

These shares are under pressure on Tuesday. But why?

Read more »