Block share price sinks again and is now down over 50% since its ASX listing

Block has tumbled to a new ASX low…

| 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

The Block Inc (ASX: SQ2) share price has come under pressure yet again on Friday.

In morning trade, the payments giant's shares are down over 8% to a new ASX low of $80.64.

This latest decline means the Block share price is now down by over 54% since listing on the Australian share market in January.

Side-on view of a devastated male investor laying his head on his laptop keyboard

Image source: Getty Images

Why is the Block share price tumbling today?

Investors have been selling down the Block share price today following a market selloff on Wall Street which has spread to the local market.

The selling was particularly severe on the Nasdaq index, which fell 4.1% during overnight trade.

And while Block's US-listed shares are actually listed on the NYSE, they often move in tow with the tech-heavy Nasdaq index.

It isn't just Block that is falling hard today. Also deep in the red are the likes of Altium Limited (ASX: ALU), WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC), and Xero Limited (ASX: XRO).

This has led to the S&P/ASX All Technology index following the Nasdaq's lead and dropping 3.5% in morning trade.

Why the selling?

Investors were selling equities on Wall Street on Thursday night amid fears that the US Federal Reserve's rate hike plans to tame inflation will cause a recession. This is despite the market rallying on the news just a day earlier.

Susan Schmidt of Aviva Investors summarised things well. She told CNBC:

Investor sentiment seems to only be able to focus on one thing at a time. Yesterday, the Fed delivered as people expected. It was combating the consumer price index data that was much higher than people expected and raised concerns about inflation being so aggressive. Investors are now remembering that the counter to this is a slowing of the economy.

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Altium, Block, Inc., WiseTech Global, and Xero. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Block, Inc., WiseTech Global, and Xero. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

More on Technology Shares

Happy woman working on a laptop.
Technology Shares

Can Zip shares recover? Here's what the experts have to say

Twelve analysts, no sells, one ambitious target.

Read more »

A young man talks tech on his phone while looking at a laptop with a financial graph superimposed across the image.
Technology Shares

By September 2027, $5,000 invested in WiseTech shares could turn into…

The ASX tech shares are now down a huge 63% compared to 12 months ago.

Read more »

a man holds his hand to his chin with a furrowed brow, making an expression of puzzlement or confusion.
Technology Shares

Xero and Megaport: 2 ASX tech shares the market can't agree on

One divides brokers, one divides everyone else.

Read more »

A man in a business suit scratches his head looking at a graph that started high then dips, then starts to go up again like a rollercoaster.
Technology Shares

WiseTech shares are down 62%. Why are brokers still bullish?

Brokers see upside, but WiseTech must deliver in FY27.

Read more »

Buy, hold, and sell ratings written on signs on a wooden pole.
Technology Shares

Down 62%, are WiseTech shares now a buy, hold or sell?

A leading fund manager provides his outlook for WiseTech’s beaten-down shares.

Read more »

A silhouette of a soldier flying a drone at sunset.
Technology Shares

Which ASX drone company is surging more than 10%?

A large US order has investors fired up.

Read more »

Couple on their laptop in their home kitchen.
Technology Shares

Down 55%: Should I buy Life360 shares in September?

The company now has more than 100 million users, and I think the recent share price fall deserves a closer…

Read more »

A montage of planes, ships, and trucks.
Technology Shares

Down another 18%: Why I'd buy WiseTech shares in the dip

WiseTech shares are now around 61% lower than one year ago.

Read more »