Why Appen, Brainchip, Liontown, and Mesoblast shares are falling today

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

| More on:
A man looks down with fright as he falls towards the ground.

Image source: Getty Images

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

In early afternoon trade, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has found its legs after a subdued start and is pushing higher. At the time of writing, the benchmark index is up 0.4% to 8,235.3 points.

Four ASX shares that have failed to follow the market higher today and are ending the week in the red are listed below. Here's why they falling on Friday:

Appen Ltd (ASX: APX)

The Appen share price is down 3.5% to $2.72. This is despite there being no news out of the artificial intelligence data services company today. Though, with the company's shares up over 350% since this time last year, it is possible that some investors are taking profit today. Appen's shares were on fire last year thanks to a major improvement in its performance in FY 2024 after a couple of years of significant struggles.

Brainchip Holdings Ltd (ASX: BRN)

The Brainchip share price is down almost 2.5% to 42.5 cents. This is also likely to have been driven by profit taking from day traders after the semiconductor company's shares rocketed higher in December. The gains were so strong that Brainchip was issued a speeding ticket from the Australian stock exchange operator last week. However, the company was at a loss to explain the rise in its share price.

Liontown Resources Ltd (ASX: LTR)

The Liontown share price is down over 2.5% to 55.5 cents. This lithium miner's shares have been sold off over the last 12 months amid concerns over weak battery material prices. So much so, Liontown's shares are now down by approximately 66% since this time last year. It seems that the market doesn't believe that lithium prices are going to rebound in 2025 and are cutting their losses again today.

Mesoblast Ltd (ASX: MSB)

The Mesoblast share price is down over 4% to $3.21. Investors appear to have been taking profit off the table today after some incredible gains recently. For example, even after today's pullback, this biotechnology company's shares are up by 74% since this time last month. The catalyst for this has been Mesoblast receiving US FDA approval for one of its stem cell therapies at long last. In December, the US FDA approved its Ryoncil (remestemcel-L) product as the first mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) therapy in the United States. It is also the only approved therapy for steroid-refractory acute graft versus host disease (SR-aGvHD) in children two months and older.

Should you invest $1,000 in Pro Medicus right now?

Before you buy Pro Medicus shares, consider this:

Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now... and Pro Medicus wasn't one of them.

The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys...

See The 5 Stocks *Returns as of 3 April 2025

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 positions in and has recommended Appen. 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.

More on Share Fallers

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

Why DroneShield, Generation Development, Oneview, and PWR shares are falling today

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

Read more »

plummeting gold share price
Gold

Why are ASX 200 gold stocks getting crushed today?

ASX 200 gold stocks have lost their shine on Wednesday. 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 Aurelia Metals, Cettire, Northern Star, and Woolworths shares are falling

These shares are having a tough time despite the market roaring higher.

Read more »

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

Why Block, Deep Yellow, Perenti, and Zip shares are dropping today

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

Read more »

A male investor wearing a blue shirt looks off to the side with a miffed look on his face as the share price declines.
Share Fallers

Why Imricor, Nanosonics, Perpetual, and Tourism Holdings shares are sinking today

These shares are having a tough finish to the week. But why?

Read more »

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

Why Bellevue Gold, Collins Foods, Hub24, and Zip shares dropped today

These shares were out of form on Tuesday. But why?

Read more »

A young man clasps his hand to his head with his eyes closed and a pained expression on his face as he clasps a laptop computer in front of him, seemingly learning of bad news or a poor investment.
Share Fallers

Why Ansell, EBR Systems, IDP Education, and Macquarie shares are falling today

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

Read more »

A woman with a sad face looks to be receiving bad news on her phone as she holds it in her hands and looks down at it.
Share Fallers

Why Flight Centre, Monash IVF, NextDC, and Woodside shares are sinking today

These shares are having a tough finish to the week. Let's see what is going on.

Read more »