Why is the Zip share price behaving so strangely on the ASX today?

Zip shares have been wild on Thursday. What's going on?

| More on:
A woman puts up her hands and looks confused while sitting at her computer.

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

It's been a fairly lacklustre day of trading thus far this Thursday for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO). At the time of writing, the ASX 200 has lost 0.29% and is back to around 7,110 points. But it's a different, and far stranger, story when it comes to the Zip Co Ltd (ASX: ZIP) share price.

Zip shares… well, they just don't seem to know what to do today. The Zip share price initially opened in the red this morning at $1.06, before climbing and then dropping briefly into negative territory. Then, the company seemed to jump on a rocket, rapidly climbing as high as $1.144 a share (up more than 4%).

But investors have since gotten cold feet again, and sent Zip shares back down. At present, the ASX buy now, pay later (BNPL) share is back in the red, having recorded a loss of 0.93% at present to $1.06 a share.

So what on earth is going on here?

What's going on with the Zip share price today?

Well, the first thing to note is that there hasn't been any news out of Zip itself today.

However, we have heard from Zip's fellow BNPL share Sezzle Inc (ASX: SZL) today.

As we covered this morning, Sezzle has come out with a business update today. The company reported that its underlying merchant sales had lifted 9.5% over the previous month to US$141.2 million.

Total income is also up 4% to US$10.2 million. Investors have clearly liked what they've seen from Sezzle today, going off of the company's share price performance. Sezzle shares are currently up a pleasing 13.8% at 82 cents a share. But the company rose as high as 93 cents earlier this morning, a rise worth a whopping 27.8% or so.

So it could be the stunning rise (and cool-off) of Zip's BNPL peer Sezzle that could provide an explanation of the wild swings we have seen in Zip shares today.

Even so, Zip shares remain down a painful 75% in 2022 thus far.

At the current Zip share price, this ASX 200 BNPL share has a market capitalisation of $730 million.

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. has positions in and has recommended ZIPCOLTD FPO. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

More on BNPL shares

A man pulls a shocked expression with mouth wide open as he holds up his laptop.
BNPL shares

Zip share price charges higher on Q3 results and stellar US growth

How did Zip perform during the quarter?

Read more »

A businessman carrying a briefcase looks at a square peg or block sinking into a round hole.
BNPL shares

Why is the Block share price getting pulped on Friday?

ASX 200 investors are bidding down the Block share price on Friday.

Read more »

A woman sits back and enjoys the view from a paraglider, indicating share price lifts for ASX travel and adventure shares
BNPL shares

Up 71% in 3 weeks, have Zip shares topped out?

Despite the stellar run higher, Zip shares are still trading at a fraction of their February 2021 highs.

Read more »

A woman sits on a chair smiling as she shops online.
BNPL shares

Why is the Zip share price the best-performing ASX 300 stock so far this year?

The best-performing ASX 300 stock of 2024 so far is an unlikely hero.

Read more »

A happy girl in a yellow playsuit with a zip gives the thumbs up
Share Gainers

If I'd put $5,000 into Zip shares on 9 October, here's what I'd have now!

The stars have been aligning for Zip shares.

Read more »

woman using affirm to pay
BNPL shares

Up 288% in 6 months, Zip share price tipped for more outsized gains

Zip shares have rocketed 288% in just six months.

Read more »

A businessman stacks building blocks.
BNPL shares

Up 93% since October, why are Block shares marching ahead again on Friday?

ASX 200 investors have been snapping up Block shares.

Read more »

A man wearing glasses and a white t-shirt pumps his fists in the air looking excited and happy about the rising OBX share price
BNPL shares

Zip share price up 58% in 7 trading days! What's going on?

This BNPL provider has been on fire recently. But why?

Read more »