2 ASX tech shares making massive moves right now on earnings updates

ASX investors are keeping a keen eye on companies' profitability in the new era of higher interest rates.

| 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

Two ASX tech shares are making big moves today.

Albeit in opposite directions.

The S&P/ASX All Technology Index (ASX: XTX) is down 1.4% following sharp losses posted by tech stocks on the NASDAQ Composite Index on Friday.

But that hasn't deterred investors from bidding up fintech stock Praemium Ltd (ASX: PPS), which was up 11% in earlier trading and remains up 7.12% at the time of writing.

Bigtincan Holdings Ltd (ASX: BTH) isn't receiving the same love today. Shares in the company, which provides an AI-powered, online sales enablement platform, are down 3.77%, having earlier posted losses of more than 8%.

Both ASX tech shares are making these big moves after releasing their half-year results for the six months ending 31 December.

Here's what investors are mulling over.

A young woman with glasses holds a pencil to her lips as she is surrounded by the reflection of data as though she is being photographed through a glass screen project with digital data.

Image source: Getty Images

ASX tech share sinks as losses mount

Kicking off with the earnings results for Bigtincan Holdings, the ASX tech share reported some mixed results for H1 FY23.

On the plus side, revenue from ordinary activities increased 31% from H1 FY22 to $60.2 million.

And annual recurring revenue (ARR) of $130 million represented a record result.

This helped drive a 74% lift in adjusted earnings before income, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) to $2.1 million.

But investors look to be selling off the ASX tech share amid rising costs.

Operating expenses for the half year came in at $70.1 million, up 38% year on year. This saw the company book a loss after income tax of $18.2 million, compared to a loss of $10.5 million in H1 FY22.

That was reflected in a big fall in diluted earnings per share (EPS). That came in at negative 3.97 cents per share, down from negative 2.46 cents per share in the prior corresponding period.

Commenting on the results pressuring the ASX tech share today, Bigtincan CEO David Keane focused on the company's boost in recurring revenues:

We are pleased to deliver another record ARR result in 1H FY23, with the Company continuing to deliver market leading products, win important customer deals, and progressing our commitment to materially improved adjusted EBITDA…

1H FY23 our Multi-Hub strategy continued to benefit the business with Multi-Hub ARR growing from 17% in the previous corresponding period, to 29% of total ARR at the end of 1H FY23.

The company reconfirmed its full-year guidance.

Which brings us to…

Praemium share price lifts on profit growth

The Praemium share price is charging higher post its half-year results.

The ASX tech share reported the divestment of its international operations was completed on 30 June. Its Australian segment is now the company's sole focus.

Investor interest looks to be piqued today by a big lift in statutory net profit after tax (NPAT) to $9.1 million. Revenue of $35.4 million was up 17% year on year.

Praemium also reported record half-year EBITDA of $11.4 million, up 52% from H1 FY22.

Also during the six-month period, the company paid a 5 cents per share, fully franked special dividend on 10 August. And it kicked off a $25 million share buyback, with $6.6 million deployed as at 31 December.

Funds under management on the investment platform grew 6% from 30 June to reach $42.7 billion.

Commenting on the results boosting the ASX tech share today, CEO Anthony Wamsteker said:

The 2023 financial half-year has seen key strategic decisions pay off with increased profitability and enhanced shareholder returns. This result, derived from strong net funds flow, margin expansion and discipline on costs, has delivered a step change improvement in operating leverage.

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

More on Earnings Results

One girl leapfrogs over her friend's back.
Earnings Results

Premier Investments shares jump 8% on results and big interim dividend

Peter Alexander is performing but Smiggle is struggling.

Read more »

A young woman looks happily at her phone in one hand with a selection of retail shopping bags in her other hand.
Earnings Results

Premier Investments posts $101.7m half-year profit and lifts dividend

Premier Investments delivers steady 1H26 profit and 45c dividend, with growth for Peter Alexander and a strategic reset at Smiggle.

Read more »

A man holds his head in his hands after seeing bad news on his laptop screen.
Earnings Results

New Hope shares crash 12% on profit crunch and big dividend cut

Let's see what the coal giant reported this morning.

Read more »

A woman presenting company news to investors looks back at the camera and smiles.
Earnings Results

West African Resources posts $567m profit as gold production grows

West African Resources reported strong 2025 earnings with $567 million profit and upbeat plans for its gold operations.

Read more »

A young woman wearing a blue and white striped t-shirt blows air from her cheeks and looks up and to the side in a sign of disappointment.
Earnings Results

Why this ASX stock just dropped 7% after today's announcement

Metallium shares fall after the company releases its latest half-year update.

Read more »

A small boy dressed in a bow tie and britches looks up, with books and an abacus on the table.
Earnings Results

This $1 billion ASX explorer just dropped 8%. Here's what happened

WA1 shares slide after the company released its latest half-year results.

Read more »

A young man clasps his hand to his head with a pained expression on his face and a laptop in front of him.
Earnings Results

This ASX stock just plunged 16% today. Here's what spooked investors

IperionX shares crash 16% after the latest update reveals deeper losses.

Read more »

A man sitting at his desktop computer leans forward onto his elbows and yawns while he rubs his eyes as though he is very tired.
Earnings Results

Liontown shares drop on $184m half-year loss

Let's see what this lithium miner reported today.

Read more »