Why Afterpay, Altium, Mesoblast, & PolyNovo shares are dropping lower

Altium Limited (ASX:ALU) and Mesoblast limited (ASX:MSB) shares are two of four dropping notably lower on Wednesday. Here's why…

| 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

In morning trade the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is on course to record another decline. At the time of writing, the benchmark index is down 0.15% to 6,667.8 points.

Four shares that have fallen more than most today are listed below. Here's why they are dropping lower:

Afterpay Ltd (ASX: APT)

The Afterpay share price is down 1.5% to $110.25. The tech sector has come under pressure again on Wednesday amid a rotation to value and cyclical stocks. This has led to the S&P/ASX All Technology Index (ASX: XTX) falling 1% today. On Tuesday analysts at Citi held firm with their neutral rating but lifted their price target on the company's shares to $115.00.

Altium Limited (ASX: ALU)

The Altium share price is down almost 5% to $28.68. Investors have been selling this electronic design software company's shares since the release of its first half guidance on Tuesday. This morning analysts at Macquarie responded to the disappointing update by retaining their neutral rating but cutting their price target by 11.5% to $31.00.

Mesoblast limited (ASX: MSB)

The Mesoblast share price has fallen over 5.5% to $2.45. This appears to have been driven by profit taking after some strong gains this week. The biotech company's shares surged higher after it released a positive trial update. That update revealed that its rexlemestrocel-L drug provides a reduction in heart attacks, strokes, and cardiac death in patients with chronic heart failure.

PolyNovo Ltd (ASX: PNV)

The PolyNovo share price has fallen a further 7% to $2.75. The medical device company's shares have come under pressure this week following the release of a trading update. Although that update revealed a 31% increase in first half sales, it would have been much stronger had its second quarter performance not underwhelmed. PolyNovo delivered a 75% increase in sales during the first quarter, but this was offset by the softening of sales in October and November.

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 and recommends Altium. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns shares of POLYNOVO FPO. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of AFTERPAY T FPO. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson.

More on Share Fallers

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 Chalice Mining, Cleanaway, Kogan, and Perpetual shares are sinking today

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

Read more »

man grimaces next to falling stock graph
Share Fallers

Why did this ASX 100 stock just crash 11%?

Cleanaway shares have been on a crazy roller-coaster over the past 24 hours.

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 Brambles, Lifestyle Communities, Northern Star, and Select Harvests shares are sinking

These shares are having a tough session. 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 Cettire, DroneShield, St Barbara, and Star shares are dropping today

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

Read more »

Woman in dress sitting in chair looking depressed
Consumer Staples & Discretionary Shares

Cettire share price plunges 6% after major investor pulls the plug

A 'red flag' triggered this investment company to sell out completely.

Read more »

A skydiving man in a jester hat and carrying a burger and sauce, pokes out his tongue at the camera, indicating all is not lost when you're falling.
Technology Shares

Why is the Droneshield share price crashing 19% on Monday?

Investors are sending shares in Droneshield down 19% in morning trade.

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 COG, Karoon Energy, Netwealth, and Pilbara Minerals shares are dropping today

These ASX shares are ending the week deep 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 Evolution Mining, Karoon Energy, ResMed, and Sayona Mining shares are dropping today

These ASX shares are having a tough session. But why?

Read more »