WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC) shares are among the worst performers on the ASX 200 index on Tuesday.
At the time of writing, the logistics solutions technology company's shares are down 16% to $71.50.
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Why are WiseTech Global shares being sold off?
Investors have been hitting the sell button in a panic today after the company released a bombshell announcement.
According to the release, officers from the Australian Securities and Investments Commission and the Australian Federal Police attended WiseTech's Sydney office on Monday.
The company notes that they executed a search warrant requiring the production of documents regarding alleged trading in WiseTech Global shares by its founder Richard White and three WiseTech employees.
This was during the period from late 2024 to early 2025.
For context, the company's shares were trading in and around the $130.00 to $140.00 levels late last year, before slumping into the $70s in early 2025.
As things stand, the company advised that no charges have been laid against any of its staff or the company. It stated:
So far as WiseTech is aware, no charges have been laid against any person and there are no allegations against the Company itself.
It also revealed that it will cooperate with any investigation by ASIC or the Australian Federal Police, adding:
WiseTech intends to fully cooperate with any investigation.
Is this a buying opportunity?
Today's news is certainly not a good look for a company that is trying hard to rebuild its image after a turbulent 12 months. However, whether it warrants such a selloff remains to be seen.
A number of brokers currently see significant value in WiseTech Global shares at current levels.
And while their recommendations could change in the wake of this news, their latest ratings are summarised below.
Last week, Citi put a buy rating and $121.35 price target on its shares, which offers potential upside of approximately 70% for investors.
Ord Minnett has a buy rating and $123.00 price target on WiseTech Global's shares. This suggests that upside of 72% is possible from current levels.
And Macquarie, which put a note out this morning in response to the news, has a neutral rating and $108.50 price target. This implies potential upside of 50% for investors.
Macquarie also suggested that today's weakness could be a buying opportunity for investors with a longer time horizon. Though, it concedes that an investigation could last 18 months if one goes ahead.
