Sydney, Feb 23, 2026, 18:11 AEDT — Market shut its doors for the day.
- WiseTech Global (WTC) finished the session 5.2% lower at A$44.63.
- Tariff jitters triggered a risk-off move, with Australian tech stocks taking the hardest hit.
- Next up, investors are eyeing WiseTech’s half-year results, due Feb. 25, as the potential spark.
WiseTech Global Ltd slid 5.2% to finish at A$44.63 on Monday, ranking among the bigger losers during a punishing day for Australian tech. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology index sank 4.5%, with the broader ASX 200 off 0.61% at 9,026. According to MarketIndex, investor anxiety over valuations and the risk of AI-driven upheaval fueled the selloff. Megaport plunged 17.5%, Pro Medicus fell 8.9%, and Technology One dropped 5.2%.
Markets pulled back as traders shifted to safer ground, reacting to the latest shakeup in U.S. trade policy. The Supreme Court tossed out President Donald Trump’s emergency tariffs, and he fired back with talk of a fresh 15% levy—though without details on when or how it would hit. “The tariff landscape is now more uncertain than before,” said Rodrigo Catril, senior FX strategist at NAB. Reuters
Australian stocks slipped early, dragged down by tech, real estate, and energy names as traders wrestled with the fallout from fresh trade barriers. “While investors may attempt to digest and move beyond the announcement efficiently, the broader implications remain complex,” said Chris Weston, head of research at Pepperstone. WiseTech and Xero both dropped over 2% by midday. mint
WiseTech isn’t far from a key moment. The company has circled Feb. 25 for half-year results, as well as a call on its interim dividend — the mid-year payout is on the table, with dividend dates laid out. WiseTech says its CargoWise platform is used by over 17,000 logistics customers spread across 193 countries.
This year hasn’t brought much relief for the stock, which is still searching for support after volatile moves in February. Shares have dropped around 31% in 2026, sinking about 57% since the beginning of its FY2026, InvestSMART’s numbers show.
Tariff headlines cut both ways for pricey software names—investors pouring in for growth can see that flip fast if sentiment sours. The new U.S. duties are set for 150 days; whether importers get refunds on tariffs already paid remains up in the air, leaving markets unsettled, strategists noted. “But there’s so many factors… it’s not tradable,” said BNZ strategist Jason Wong. Reuters
U.S. futures slipped during Asian hours, with bitcoin also heading lower, as traders stepped back from riskier positions following the court decision and the new tariffs. Gold and silver found buyers, drawing flows as investors sought out safer ground.
Monday’s drop is important for WiseTech holders, since the stock tends to serve as a fast signal for risk sentiment around Australian growth names—even when there’s no fresh news from the company itself.
