The Xero (ASX:XRO) share price is up 3% today. What's going on?

Why are Xero shares shooting higher today?

| More on:
A cloud with a blue arrow pointing upwards through its middle symbolising a rising asx share price

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

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is having a pretty decent start to this Wednesday's trading session. At the time of writing, the ASX 200 is up 0.33% so far today to 7,285 points. But there's one ASX company out there doing far better than that today. The Xero Limited (ASX: XRO) share price has had its Weetbix this morning, and is currently up 2.70% to $135.75 a share.

Investors will no doubt be pleased with this initial move today. After a couple of years of neck-turning growth, Xero has been somewhat stuck in the mud in 2021 so far. Remember, this is a company that was up roughly 80% in 2020, and before that, around 90% over 2019. But in 2021 so far, Xero shares are down a touch over 8% year to date. Not exactly what investors have come to expect from this cloud accounting software provider.

But enough dwelling on the past. So what's going on with the Xero share price today?

Xero share price on the move

Unfortunately, it's not exactly clear. There are no official news or announcements out of Xero today. Well, apart from some paperwork outlining how some of Xero's restricted stock units have lapsed. But that's hardly market moving stuff by conventional wisdom.

Another factor at play here could be broker bullishness on Xero. As my Fool colleague James reported on Monday, investment bank broker Goldman Sachs is currently rating Xero shares as a 'buy', with a 12-month price target of $151 a share for Xero. That implies a potential future upside of 11.6%, even after today's gains. It's possible that this optimism is feeding into the Xero share price gains today.

Finally, it's worth noting that ASX tech shares across the board are enjoying healthy rises today. The S&P/ASX All Technology Index (ASX: XTX) is currently up a robust 2.26%, with major ASX tech shares like Afterpay Ltd (ASX: APT), Zip Co Ltd (ASX: Z1P) and WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC) all enjoying gains of more than 2% today so far.

At the current Xero share price, the company has a market capitalisation of $20.18 billion and a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 1,059.6.

Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns shares of and has recommended AFTERPAY T FPO, WiseTech Global, Xero, and ZIPCOLTD FPO. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of and has recommended AFTERPAY T FPO, WiseTech Global, and Xero. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson.

More on Technology Shares

a group of tech people gather around a computer operated by a young woman while the group looks on in support.
Technology Shares

Brokers say this rapidly growing ASX 200 tech stock is a strong buy

Big returns could be on the cards for owners of this stock.

Read more »

A corporate female wearing glasses looks intently at a virtual reality screen with shapes and lights representing Block shares going up today
Technology Shares

Here are 'blue-sky valuations' for these hot ASX 200 tech stocks

These ASX 200 tech stocks could have huge potential according to analysts.

Read more »

A person sitting at a desk smiling and looking at a computer.
Technology Shares

'You could make a decent amount of money' from this ASX 200 tech stock

This stock could be an underrated play.

Read more »

A woman sits at her computer with her hand to her mouth and a contemplative smile on her face as she reads about the performance of Allkem shares on her computer
Technology Shares

What's happening with the NextDC share price on Thursday?

NextDC is raising $1.32 billion to accelerate its data centre developments amid the rapid growth of AI.

Read more »

A man sits in casual clothes in front of a computer amid graphic images of data superimposed on the image, as though he is engaged in IT or hacking activities.
Technology Shares

Goldman Sachs just slapped a buy rating on this ASX 200 tech stock

The broker thinks this market darling can keep rising.

Read more »

Happy man and woman looking at the share price on a tablet.
Technology Shares

Up 61% since February, why this ASX 200 tech stock could 'continue to surprise to the upside'

The ASX 200 tech share is poised for more growth, according to this leading fund manager.

Read more »

Man holding out Australian dollar notes, symbolising dividends.
Technology Shares

What could $5,000 invested in Block shares become in 1 year?

Is it worth investing in this tech stock? Let's find out.

Read more »

A man has a surprised and relieved expression on his face. as he raises his hands up to his face in response to the high fluctuations in the Galileo share price today
Technology Shares

DroneShield share price jumps 16% on 'significant' NATO deal

More big news has come out of this tech stock this morning.

Read more »