The ASX 200 finished 0.1% higher today

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX:XJO) finished higher by over 0.1% today. Some ASX growth shares were sold off including Megaport Ltd (ASX:MP1).

| More on:
a woman

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 S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) finished 0.12% higher today, ending at 6,192 points.

Here are some of the highlights from the ASX today:

Megaport Ltd (ASX: MP1)

Megaport reported its first quarter of FY21 to investors today.

It said that it grew its quarterly revenue to $17.3 million, up 2% from the last quarter. Monthly recurring revenue (MRR) for September 2020 was $5.8 million, up 2% quarter on quarter.

Total installed data centres grew 5% to 385 and total enabled data centres went up 5% to 702 over the quarter.

Megaport had 1,980 customers at the end of the quarter, an increase of 7% compared to the last quarter.

Total ports rose by 10% quarter on quarter to 6,333. Average revenue per port was $913. At the end of September 2020 it had $152.8 million of cash.

Megaport's CEO, Vincent English, said: "Megaport remains committed to driving value for our customers, partners and shareholders. We are constantly evolving our platform so our customers can more easily connect with the services they need to power their business. MVE will play a fundamental part in our success by allowing our customers to access Megaport's elastic interconnection platform from locations beyond traditional data centres – including branch offices, corporate campuses, and point of sale locations.

"Profitability remains a company-wide priority. We are focused on achieving earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) breakeven on an exit run-rate basis by the close of fiscal year 2021 by driving further customer growth across all regions."

The Megaport share price fell 13% today, making it the worst performer in the ASX 200.

Temple & Webster Group Ltd (ASX: TPW)

The e-commerce business announced a trading update today.

Year to date revenue for the period from 1 July 2020 to 19 October 2020 was up 138% compared to the prior corresponding period.

Temple & Webster reported that it made $8.6 million of EBITDA in the first quarter of FY21, which was more than the whole of FY20.

October revenue growth was still more than 100%. The company said this was pleasing because it has entered its peak trading months.

Management said the company is committed to a high growth strategy to take advantage of the structural shift towards online, to capitalise on both organic and inorganic opportunities.

However, the Temple & Webster share price sank around 17% today.

EML Payments Ltd (ASX: EML)

Payments business EML announced its first quarter trading update today as well.

EML revealed that its gross debit volume (GDV) was $4.85 billion in the first quarter. Up 20% on the prior quarter (being the fourth quarter of FY20) and up 51% on the prior corresponding period (PCP – the first quarter of FY20).

EML Payments said that its revenue was up 20% on the prior quarter and up 75% on the PCP. This helped drive EBITDA up 69% on the prior quarter and it grew 215% over the PCP.

Management were pleased with this update because historically the first quarter is normally the weakest quarter of the year.

Cost control initiatives by the ASX 200 share reduced cash overheads by $0.7 million compared to the prior corresponding period (excluding the PFS acquisition).

Looking at the PCP for the different divisions. Virtual account numbers' GDV was in line with the PCP.  Total general purpose reloadable GDV was up 234% largely due to the PFS acquisition – without the PFS acquisition, EML GDV increased 16% and PFS GDV went up 24%. Gift and incentive GDV was down 11% on the PCP because of COVID-19 impacts, however it was up 41% compared to the fourth quarter of FY20.

The EML share price fell 2.4% today. 

Tristan Harrison has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns shares of and recommends MEGAPORT FPO. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns shares of Temple & Webster Group Ltd. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of and has recommended EML Payments. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended MEGAPORT FPO and Temple & Webster Group 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 Market News

a woman with lots of shopping bags looks upwards towards the sky as if she is pondering something.
Opinions

The pros and cons of buying Zip shares in 2026

There are positive and negative aspects about Zip shares right now…

Read more »

A happy male investor turns around on his chair to look at a friend while a laptop runs on his desk showing share price movements
Broker Notes

Buy, hold, sell: CBA, REA Group, and Xero shares

Morgans has given its verdict on these popular stocks. Let's see if it is bullish on them.

Read more »

A man in a suit looks serious while discussing business dealings with a couple as they sit around a computer at a desk in a bank home lending scenario.
Share Market News

Here's what Westpac says the RBA will do with interest rates in 2026

Stick or twist? Let's see what the RBA could do with rates this year.

Read more »

A woman stretches her arms into the sky as she rises above the crowd.
Best Shares

Fastest rising ASX 200 share of each market sector in 2025

These shares outperformed their sector peers last year.

Read more »

A couple stares at the tv in shock, with the man holding the remote up ready to press a button.
Broker Notes

Brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy today

Here's why brokers are feeling bullish about these three shares this week.

Read more »

A young man goes over his finances and investment portfolio at home.
Broker Notes

Buy, hold, sell: Aristocrat, James Hardie, and TechnologyOne shares

Morgans has given its verdict on these popular shares. Is it bullish, bearish, or something in between?

Read more »

Group of entrepreneurs feeling frustrated during a meeting in the office. Focus is on man with headache.
Share Fallers

5 worst ASX All Ords shares of 2025, and why brokers rate 4 of them a buy

The ASX All Ords rose by 7.11% in 2025 but as always, there were losers in the pack.

Read more »

A female soldier flies a drone using hand-held controls.
Best Shares

These 5 ASX All Ords shares were the fastest risers of 2025

The ASX All Ords rose by 7.11% and delivered total returns, including dividends, of 10.56% in 2025.

Read more »