Afterpay share price tumbles 8% in dire day for ASX tech shares

The Afterpay share price is taking a hit today.

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

A surprised and curious male investor drinks black coffee while reading the latest news on rising ASX shares in the newspaper

Image source: Getty Images

Key points

  • The Afterpay share price is falling more than 8% today
  • Block shares fell nearly 6% in the United States overnight
  • Bank of Spain approved Block's takeover of Afterpay this week

The Afterpay Holdings Ltd (ASX: AFY) share price is slumping today amid a tough time for tech shares in the United States.

Shares in the buy now, pay later (BNPL) share company are currently trading at $69.45, down 8.47%.

Let's take a look at what might be impacting this ASX tech share today?

What's happening to Afterpay?

The Afterpay share price is falling sharply today despite making gains earlier in the week on the back of news on its takeover by Block Inc (NYSE: SQ).

Block received approval from the Bank of Spain to buy Afterpay on Wednesday. Afterpay's shares may be falling today as a result of Block's shares falling in the United States.

In Thursday trading on the New York Stock Exchange, Block fell from $145.47 to $136.95, a 5.86% drop.

Meanwhile, the NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index (NASDAQ: NDXT) also fell 3.38% in the United States overnight. Investors were selling off technology shares due to inflation concerns, US News reported.

Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN) dropped 2.42%, while Apple Inc (NASDAQ: AAPL) fell 1.90%.

Looking at Afterpay's Australian competitors, Openpay Group Ltd (ASX: OPY) is also down 2.74% so far today while Zip Co Ltd (ASX:Z1P) is 3.33% in the red.

Afterpay shares will trade on the ASX for the last time on 19 January.

Afterpay share price snap shot

The Afterpay share price is down more than 42% in the past year and 23% in the last month.

In comparison, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has returned more than 10% to investors in the past year.

The company commands a market capitalisation of roughly $20.6 billion based on the current share price.

The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns and has recommended Afterpay Limited and Block, Inc. The Motley Fool Australia owns and has recommended Afterpay Limited. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson.

More on BNPL shares

Happy woman shopping online.
BNPL shares

Up another 9%, how much higher can Zip shares go?

Zip is up 36% in the past 5 days and some experts think it can still double in value.

Read more »

A young woman looks happily at her phone in one hand with a selection of retail shopping bags in her other hand.
BNPL shares

$10,000 invested in Zip shares one month ago is now worth…

Zip shares have come roaring back in recent weeks, smashing short sellers and delighting stockholders.

Read more »

A young man sitting at an outside table uses a card to pay for his online shopping.
BNPL shares

Why are Zip shares rocketing 24% today?

This buy now pay later provider released a strong update this morning.

Read more »

A man in a suit looks surprised as he looks through binoculars.
BNPL shares

Why are Zip shares flying 9% higher today?

Find out what brokers are tipping for Zip shares over the next year.

Read more »

A boy with sad eyes pulls the zip over his mouth and nose while doing up a large jacket where the collar stands up at head height.
BNPL shares

Zip shares plunge again after yesterday's 19% surge. Here's what changed

Zip shares tumble as ceasefire hopes fade and volatility returns.

Read more »

Man with a hand on his head looks at a red stock market chart showing a falling share price.
BNPL shares

Are Zip Co shares a buy right now?

Down 40% in 2026, is now the time to buy Zip Co shares?

Read more »

A man clenches his fists with glee having seen the share price go up on the computer screen in front of him.
BNPL shares

Are Zip shares still a buy after soaring 20%

Zip shares are now 67% higher than this time 12 months ago.

Read more »

Happy woman in purple clothes looking at ASX share price on mobile phone.
Broker Notes

Down 50% in 2026, Zip shares are 'one of the most compelling value opportunities on the ASX'

Blackwattle portfolio managers Robert Hawkesford and Daniel Broeren provide their assessment of this ASX financial stock.

Read more »