By the time the markets closed, the index had added another 0.76% to finish at 8,783.2 points.

This encouraging start to the week's trading for ASX investors today followed a similarly bullish end to the American trading week on Saturday morning (our time).

The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) was in fine form, gaining a healthy 0.83%.

The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) was a little less enthusiastic, but still managed a respectable 0.64% rise.

But let's return to this week and to our local markets now for a checkup on what the different ASX sectors were up to this session.

Winners and losers

Despite the market's rise this Monday, quite a few sectors still missed out on the buying.

The most prominent of those red sectors was communications stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) had a shocker today, plunging 1.94%.

Real estate investment trusts (REITs) were also on the nose, with the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) sinking 1.39%.

Consumer staples shares were no safe haven. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) retreated 0.56% this session.

Its consumer discretionary counterpart fared similarly, evident from the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ)'s 0.42% dive.

Energy shares were left out of the fun as well. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) slid 0.41% lower this Monday.

Our last losers were utilities stocks, with the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) slipping by 0.15%.

Our last losers were industrial shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) inched 0.08% lower.

Turning to the green sectors now, it was financial shares that finished in front. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) had soared 1.56% higher by the time trading finished.

Mining stocks were also in high demand, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ)'s 1.52% surge.

Tech shares put on a decent show, too. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) roared 0.85% higher this Monday.

Gold stocks were just behind that, with the All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) jumping 0.84%.

Finally, healthcare shares had a great day, as you can see from the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ)'s 0.75% leap higher.

Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown

Titanium stock IperionX Ltd (ASX: IPX) was our best performer on the charts this Monday. IperionX shares rocketed up 5.91% today to close at $2.33.

This came despite no news or announcements from the company.

Here's the rest of today's best:

Our top 10 shares countdown is a recurring end-of-day summary that shows which companies made big moves on the day. Check in at Fool.com.au after the weekday market closes to see which stocks make the countdown.

The post Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

When it comes to payments stocks on the ASX, Zip Co Ltd (ASX: ZIP) and Block Inc (ASX: XYZ) catch the eye for anyone watching the fast-moving world of digital money and buy-now, pay-later (BNPL) services. With both companies offering innovative ways for consumers and businesses to handle payments, everyday investors might be weighing Zip and Block against each other for their next portfolio move. Here's how they compare on the fundamentals, value, and recent share price action.

The case for Zip

Zip is an Australian financial technology business focused on disrupting the traditional credit card and payments market. Zip operates in Australia, New Zealand, the United States, and 12 countries altogether, offering point-of-sale credit and BNPL services through products like Zip Money and Zip Pay. Founded in 2013, the company's core pitch is to give shoppers more flexibility and an alternative to old-school credit cards.

Looking at the fundamentals:

• Market cap stands at $2.58 billion, so it's a mid-cap ASX player with solid reach.
• Zip's P/E ratio is 22.63, which is at the lower end for a payments or fintech stock, potentially signalling more attractive value compared to fast-growth peers.
• Earnings per share come in at $0.091, supporting its move toward profitability.

Dividend hunters won't find much here, though — Zip currently pays no dividend.

The case for Block

Block formerly known as Square, was originally a US payments upstart. Now, it's a global force in payments tech, offering everything from merchant point-of-sale solutions to Cash App for peer-to-peer payments, as well as hosting platforms like Weebly. In 2022, Block snapped up Aussie juggernaut Afterpay in a headline-making deal, adding serious BNPL firepower to its roster. The business is dual-listed in the US and Australia, catering to a broad investor base.

Key stats for Block Inc:

• Its market cap is a substantial $4.21 billion, making it notably bigger than Zip on the ASX stage.
• The P/E ratio is 132.23, vastly higher than Zip's, which indicates investors are pricing in a lot of future growth or that current profits are relatively slim compared to the company's valuation.
• Earnings per share are showing at $0.560.

Block also offers no dividend at this time.

Valuation comparison

With three key valuation metrics available for both, here's how Zip and Block stack up:

Note: Block Inc's reported P/E appears very high compared to its EPS, suggesting investors are paying a heavy premium for expected growth and the Afterpay component. Both companies are not offering dividends right now.

Recent share price momentum

To line things up evenly, let's use 2 October 2026 as the most recent shared date both companies have closing prices for. Here's what the short-term momentum looks like as of that date:

• Zip: Closed at $2.07 on 2 Oct 2026, up 3.5% from the previous close. Despite the daily bounce, its year-to-date return sits deeply in the red at -37.7% — meaning Zip shares have struggled significantly so far this year.
• Block: Closed at $106.62 on 2 Oct 2026, up 0.7% on the day. Block, on the other hand, has delivered a positive year-to-date return of 9.0%, showing stronger recent momentum versus Zip.

Which is the better buy?

Looking at the numbers, I'd lean toward Block as the pick of these two payments stocks right now. The decisive factor for me is the year-to-date performance: Block shares have pushed ahead nearly 9%, while Zip is down a hefty 37.7%. That sort of divergence tells me Block is winning investor confidence and, crucially, executing better in this tough market for fintechs.

Yes, Block's P/E ratio is sky-high at 132, and that does make me pause — but with its diversified business, global scale, and the Afterpay acquisition now bedded down, I can see why the market is backing Block for future earnings growth. Zip is fighting hard and has managed to move towards profitability, but its steep price decline and smaller scale leave me with less confidence, at least based on the data I have in front of me.

Of course, neither company is paying shareholders a dividend, so it's really about capital growth potential. On current fundamentals and recent momentum, Block gets my vote as the more compelling buy.

The post Zip vs Block: Which ASX payments share is better? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

This sad end to the local trading week for ASX investors comes after a more nuanced night of trading on Wall Street.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) was in a bad mood, losing 0.31% of its value.

However, the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) managed to hold its own, rising a slight 0.012%.

Let's get back to ASX shares now and take a closer look at how the various ASX sectors traversed today's tough trading conditions.

Winners and losers

There were only a couple of sectors that held their value this Friday. But first, let's get to the far more numerous red sectors.

Leading said losers this session were tech shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) had a rough one, tanking by 1.66%.

Consumer discretionary stocks were in the firing line today too, with the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) plunging 1.36%.

Joining them were utilities shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) cratered 1.25% today.

Industrial stocks were also on the nose, as you can see from the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ)'s 0.87% dive.

Mining shares had a day to forget as well. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) suffered a 0.84% swing against it this Friday.

Healthcare stocks didn't live up to their name this session, with the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) shedding 0.79% of its total.

Communications shares matched that result. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) gave up 0.79% as well.

Gold stocks were no safe haven, evidenced by the All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD)'s 0.48% tumble.

Real estate investment trusts (REITs) weren't much better. The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) ended the day down 0.33%.

Even energy shares weren't spared, with the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) dipping 0.3%.

That's it for the red sectors, though, so let's get to the good stuff.

Leading the winners this Friday were consumer staples stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) was a harbour in the storm, shooting 0.73% higher.

Finally, the other sheltered corner of the market was financial shares, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ)'s 0.27% jump.

Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown

Defence stock Electro Optic Systems Holdings Ltd (ASX: EOS) took out this Friday's top index spot. Electro Optic Systems shares surged 5.99% higher today to finish the week at $11.32 each.

This big leap came after the company announced a new procurement for one of its weapons systems.

Here's the rest of today's best:

Enjoy the weekend!

Our top 10 shares countdown is a recurring end-of-day summary that shows which companies made big moves on the day. Check in at Fool.com.au after the weekday market closes to see which stocks make the countdown.

The post Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Block offers exposure to some of fintech's most attractive growth themes, including payments, lending, financial services, point-of-sale software, and buy now, pay later. Its Cash App, Square and Afterpay businesses give it multiple avenues to capture that growth.

Investors may also have another reason for optimism: analysts believe Block shares are far from done. 

Block has multiple growth engines

Block has one of the most attractive long-term growth runways in the ASX tech sector. The company owns Square, Cash App, Afterpay, and other payment and financial technology businesses, giving it exposure to merchants, consumers, payments, lending, point-of-sale tools, buy now, pay later, and broader financial services.

Two powerful ecosystems sit at the centre of the strategy of Block shares. Cash App serves consumers, while Square provides payments, software, and financial services to businesses. Afterpay adds another connection between shoppers and merchants.

Cash App's opportunity extends well beyond peer-to-peer payments. The app is increasingly becoming a financial hub where customers can receive wages, use a debit card, save, borrow, invest, and pay for purchases.

That gives Block several ways to deepen relationships with existing users. Someone who starts by sending money to a friend could eventually use Cash App as their primary financial account.

Is Block's strategy starting to pay off?

The strategy appears to be gaining momentum. Cash App gross profit rose 38% year on year in the first quarter of FY26, while consumer lending origination volume jumped 82%.

Square provides another substantial growth engine. Its combination of payments, point-of-sale hardware, banking tools, and industry-specific software allows sellers to manage more of their operations through a single platform.

International expansion could provide another leg of growth for Block shares. Square's international gross payment volume rose 35% year on year in the latest quarter, yet international volumes remain materially smaller than those in the US, representing approximately 22% of total Square GPV.

AI could add another growth catalyst

Block is also investing in practical artificial intelligence.

Moneybot is now live across Cash App, while Managerbot is being scaled across Square sellers. The tools are designed to help customers and merchants take action rather than simply receive information.

If AI helps sellers identify problems, improve workflows, or understand patterns, Square could become even more valuable. Similarly, AI-powered financial guidance could encourage deeper Cash App engagement.

Analysts see major upside

Analysts remain broadly optimistic about Block shares, with several brokers maintaining buy ratings based on the company's long-term growth potential and prospects for a rebound as economic conditions stabilise.

The average 12-month price target stands at $172.33, implying approximately 50% upside from the current share price.

The most bullish forecasts reach as high as $256, suggesting potential returns of approximately 123%.

For investors seeking exposure to a diversified fintech business, Block's combination of Cash App, Square, Afterpay, and AI initiatives could make the shares one of the more interesting long-term growth opportunities in the ASX technology sector.

The post Experts tip Afterpay owner Block shares to deliver over 50% returns appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

After opening sharply lower this morning, the ASX 200 stayed in red territory all day and ended up closing with a substantial 0.8% loss. That leaves the index at 9,115.2 points as we head into the weekend.

Today's rough end to the trading week for local investors follows a notably more positive night up on Wall Street.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) overcame a mid-session dip to finish up a lucky 0.13%.

The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) did better, enjoying a 0.81% rise.

But let's get back to the local boards now and check out how today's selling filtered down into the various ASX sectors this Friday.

Winners and losers

There were still a few sectors that managed to come out ahead this session.

But first, it was mining stocks that were the hardest-hit corner of the market today. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) was slammed, tanking 2.58%.

Gold shares weren't much better, with the All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) plunging 2.38%.

Industrial stocks didn't get a reprieve either. The S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) cratered 1.38% this session.

Real estate investment trusts (REITs) weren't popular, as you can tell by the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ)'s 0.78% dive.

Nor were healthcare shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) had tumbled 0.68% by the end of trading.

Energy stocks did better, but the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) was still walked back by 0.31%.

Financial shares were in that ballpark, too. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) slid 0.12% lower this Friday.

But that's it for the red sectors, so let's get to the good stuff.

Leading the winners today were tech stocks, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ)'s 2.83% surge.

Utilities shares also ran hot. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) enjoyed a 1.03% jump today.

Communications stocks were in demand as well, with the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) lifting 0.47%.

As were consumer discretionary shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) advanced 0.28% over today's trading.

Finally, consumer staples stocks escaped unscathed, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ)'s 0.14% improvement.

Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown

This Friday's index winner was classifieds stock Seek Ltd (ASX: SEK). Seek shares roared 9.13% higher this session to close the week at $15.18 each.

This came despite no fresh news. Perhaps it was a reobund after the big drops we saw earlier in the week, or perhaps a reaction to a buy rating from a broker.

Here's the rest of today's best:

Enjoy the weekend!

Our top 10 shares countdown is a recurring end-of-day summary that shows which companies made big moves on the day. Check in at Fool.com.au after the weekday market closes to see which stocks make the countdown.

The post Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Will the market be able to build on this on Thursday? Here are five things to watch:

ASX 200 expected to edge lower

It looks set to be a soft session for Australian investors on Thursday following a mixed night on Wall Street. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open the day 8 points or 0.1% lower this morning. In the United States, the Dow Jones rose 0.5%, but the S&P 500 fell 0.15% and the Nasdaq dropped 0.8%.

ASX 200 results releases

A number of ASX 200 shares will be releasing their results on Thursday. This includes payments giant Block Inc. (ASX: XYZ), financial services company AMP Ltd (ASX: AMP), media behemoth News Corp (ASX: NWS), and property listings leader REA Group Ltd (ASX: REA). With respect to the latter, Bell Potter expects REA Group to report group revenue of $1,808 million and adjusted NPAT of $626 million. This represents 8% and 11% growth, respectively.

Oil prices soften

ASX 200 energy shares Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) and Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) could have a subdued session after oil prices softened overnight. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price is down 1.1% to US$74.92 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price is down 0.2% to US$79.21 a barrel. Oil prices have come under significant pressure this week amid easing US-Iran tensions.

Buy Light & Wonder shares

Light & Wonder Inc. (ASX: LNW) shares could be seriously undervalued according to analysts at Bell Potter. This morning, in response to the gaming technology company's results release, the broker has retained its buy rating with a trimmed price target of $183.00 (from $190.00). It said: "We retain Buy and reduce TP. We now forecast EBITDA growth of at the lower end of the company's guidance range. We see a resumption in top line growth occurring in 4Q26. We believe LNW offers compelling value at 10x EV/EBIT(A) given growth metrics."

Gold price jumps

It looks like it could be a great session for ASX 200 gold shares Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM) and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) on Thursday after the gold price jumped overnight. According to CNBC, the gold futures price is up 3.75% to US$4,308.5 an ounce. This was driven by a weaker US dollar. 

The post 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Block continues to build out Square and Cash App, while Zip has regained momentum and is pursuing a much larger opportunity in the United States.

The question is whether that progress is enough to make either share worth buying in August.

Block shares

I think Block has one of the most attractive long-term growth runways in the ASX tech sector.

The company owns two powerful ecosystems. Cash App serves consumers, while Square provides payments, software and financial services to businesses. Afterpay's buy now, pay later offering adds another connection between shoppers and merchants.

Cash App's opportunity extends well beyond peer-to-peer payments. Block is steadily turning the app into a financial hub where customers can receive their wages, use a debit card, save, borrow, invest and pay for purchases.

That gives Block several ways to deepen its relationship with existing users. Someone who starts by sending money to a friend could eventually use Cash App as their main financial account.

The strategy appears to be gaining momentum. Cash App gross profit rose 38% year-on-year in the first quarter of FY26, while consumer lending origination volume increased 82%. Block is also expanding Cash App Borrow and bringing buy now, pay later features more closely into the app.

Square provides another substantial growth engine. Its combination of payments, point-of-sale hardware, banking tools and industry-specific software can help sellers manage more of their operations through one platform.

International expansion could extend that opportunity considerably. Square's international gross payment volume (GPV) rose 35% year-on-year in the latest quarter but remains materially smaller than its US volumes (approximately 22% of total Square GPV). This suggests to me that the business still has plenty of room to grow beyond the US market.

I would be happy to buy Block shares in August. Its connected consumer and merchant networks could support many years of growth as more financial activity moves onto its platforms.

Zip shares

I would also buy Zip shares, largely because of the opportunity developing in the US.

US transaction volume increased 43.1% in US dollar terms during the third quarter of FY26, while active customers rose 9% and the merchant network expanded by 17.9%.

But despite this strong growth, it still only has a very small slice of an incredibly lucrative market.

Its partnership with Stripe should help it add merchants at scale. Each new merchant gives customers more places to use Zip, while a larger customer base can make the platform more appealing to retailers.

There is room to deepen engagement as well. US customers are increasingly using Zip for groceries, utilities and other regular expenses. That could make the service a more frequent part of household spending and support higher customer engagement.

In Australia, I think Zip Plus and the new ZMobile offering could broaden the company's relationship with existing customers and create additional revenue streams.

Overall, I believe Zip's US expansion, growing merchant network, and broader product range give it a compelling long-term growth opportunity.

Foolish takeaway

Yes, I would buy both Block and Zip shares in August.

Their strongest opportunity is to become more deeply embedded in how consumers spend, borrow and manage money. Block offers the more diversified ecosystem, while Zip provides greater exposure to a rapidly expanding US business.

Both companies still need disciplined credit decisions and consistent product execution. If they deliver, I think they could be much larger businesses a decade from now.

The post Should I buy Block and Zip shares in August? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

While this is disappointing for shareholders, it could have created a compelling buying opportunity for others.

That's the view of analysts at Bell Potter, who believe the ASX tech stock could have huge upside potential.

What is the broker saying?

Bell Potter notes that there has been a bit of a rally in the tech sector recently. However, WiseTech shares have missed out due to a number of reasons. It said:

There has been a tech rally of sorts on the ASX over the past couple of months and this has been led by some of the large cap names including Pro Medicus, Block and Life360. One large cap which has not rallied, however, is WiseTech and this is likely due to a number of factors including further negative press reports around founder and Chief Innovation Officer Richard White, concern around the potential future loss of key customer DSV and risk around both the FY26 result and FY27 guidance and whether each meets market expectations. 

The good news is that Bell Potter believes that a change could be coming for its shares. This is especially the case given its belief that WiseTech will deliver on its guidance for FY 2026 and provide guidance that meets expectations. It adds:

In our view, however, these negatives will start to dissipate over the coming months and indeed have already commenced with the appointment earlier this month of Raelene Murphy to Chair which we regard as a positive move. We also believe the company will achieve its FY26 guidance when it reports next month – albeit with some risk around revenue but this should be made up by the margin – and the FY27 guidance will meet expectations following downgrades by the sell-side (ourselves included) over the past few months. 

This potential reduction in negatives could lead to a rally in the share price and this may have already started with the appointment of the new Chair. Some positive outlook statements at the result next month could provide further impetus and, as examples, may include expectations of large freight forwarders shifting to the new pricing model in FY27 and DSV shifting more DB Schenker volumes onto CargoWise.

WiseTech shares tipped to double

According to the note, the broker has retained its buy rating and $71.75 price target on the company's shares.

Based on its current share price of $34.95, this implies potential upside of 105% over the next 12 months.

Commenting on its buy thesis, Bell Potter said:

There is also no change in our target price of $71.75 and we maintain the BUY. We believe the stock looks value on an FY27 EV/EBITDA multiple of c.15x and is trading at an excessively large discount to the Technology One multiple of c.27x. We note WiseTech has higher forecast earnings growth than Technology One over the next few years given the expected margin recovery post the e2open acquisition.

The post Why WiseTech shares could rocket 100% appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

After yesterday's lethargic showing, investors came back to the ASX boards with a little more pep in their steps, sending the ASX 200 0.37% higher. After staying in green territory all day, the index ended up closing at 8,841.1 points.

This confident mid-week session for the Australian markets follows a sunny session on Wall Street.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) had a lukewarm day, rising by just 0.018%.

However, the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) was far more bullish, gaining 0.9%.

Let's get back to the local markets now and dive a little deeper into what the various ASX sectors were up to today.

Winners and losers

We had more green sectors than red ones this session.

Leading the red sectors were communications shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) was shunned, tumbling 1.2%.

Gold stocks had a similar experience, with the All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) diving 0.95%.

Energy shares found themselves on the nose, too. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) retreated 0.57% this hump day.

We could say the same for consumer staples stocks, with the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) dipping 0.56%.

Healthcare stocks couldn't hold their own either, evident by the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ)'s 0.38% slide.

Our last losers were consumer discretionary shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) slipped 0.22% lower by the close of trading.

Let's turn to the winners now. Leading the push higher were mining stocks, with the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) surging 1.7%.

Utilities shares were far tamer, though. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) lifted 0.17% today.

Financial stocks were also in that ballpark, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ)'s 0.15% advance.

Tech shares followed financials. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) jumped 0.13%.

Then we had real estate investment trusts (REITs), with the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) also bouncing 0.13% higher.

Finally, industrial stocks rounded out the winners this Wednesday, as you can see by the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ)'s 0.07% bump.

Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown

Our best performer this hump day was miner Kingsgate Consolidated Ltd (ASX: KCN). Kingsgate shares shot up 15.89% this session to finish at $4.23 each.

This came after the company reported some guidance and production updates, which clearly went down well with the market.

Here's how the other top stocks tied up at the dock: 

Our top 10 shares countdown is a recurring end-of-day summary that shows which companies made big moves on the day. Check in at Fool.com.au after the weekday market closes to see which stocks make the countdown.

The post Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

The post Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Two shares that stand out to me right now are Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO) and Block Inc (ASX: XYZ).

They are in very different positions. Xero shares are trading around $67.85, just above their 52-week low of $65.00. Block shares have been performing far better and are trading around $109.88, which is within sight of their 52-week high of $127.88 and well above their 52-week low of $69.40.

Despite the different share price momentum, I think both are buys.

Xero shares

Xero is the more beaten-down of the two.

The small-business accounting software company has been through a rough period in the market, but I think the long-term opportunity remains attractive.

What I like about Xero is the role it can play in the daily financial life of a small business. Accounting software is the starting point, but the bigger opportunity is much broader than that.

A small business owner needs to send invoices, pay staff, manage tax, track cash flow, connect bank feeds, understand expenses, chase payments, and make decisions with limited time. If Xero can keep bringing more of those jobs into one easy-to-use platform, it can become more valuable to customers.

The company has already built a strong position in markets such as Australia, New Zealand, and the UK. The challenge is growing in the key US market, expanding its usefulness, and using automation and artificial intelligence in ways that save customers time.

The Xero share price being close to its 52-week low does not guarantee a quick recovery. But I think it gives patient investors a more attractive entry point into a high-quality software business with a large global opportunity.

Block shares

Block is a different type of fintech share. The company owns Square, Cash App, Afterpay, and other payment and financial technology businesses. That gives it exposure to merchants, consumers, payments, lending, point-of-sale tools, buy now pay later, and broader financial services.

What interests me is the way Block sits on both sides of commerce.

Square helps businesses accept payments and manage parts of their operations. Cash App is consumer-facing, giving users a way to send, spend, save, and access financial products. Afterpay adds another layer by connecting customers and merchants through instalment payments.

That creates a large ecosystem.

Block is no longer a tiny disruptor, but I still think it has growth potential if it can deepen its relationship with merchants and consumers. Payments are a huge market, and businesses increasingly want tools that help them manage sales, customers, inventory, staff, data, and finance in one place.

The share price has already recovered strongly from its low, so the setup is different to Xero. But I do not think a stronger share price should automatically scare investors away from a business that is executing well.

For me, Block offers exposure to the future of digital payments and small business financial tools.

Foolish takeaway

If I were investing $2,000 into these two ASX tech shares, I would probably split the money across both rather than trying to pick one clear winner.

The appeal is that both businesses are trying to become more useful in areas where money, payments, and small-business operations are increasingly digital. Xero is doing that through software for small businesses, while Block is doing it through a broader fintech ecosystem.

Both companies still need to execute, and both can be volatile. But I like the long-term customer problems they are solving. Small businesses need better financial tools, merchants need smarter payment systems, and consumers keep shifting toward digital ways to manage money. That gives both Xero and Block a large growth runway.

The post Why I'd buy Xero and Block shares with $2,000 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

It was a rather unpleasant day to be an ASX investor this Thursday, with the Australian markets suffering a significant sell-off over the session. After a reprieve from the selling that we saw earlier in the week, yesterday, the bears were back on the ASX today, with the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) staying in red territory all day and closing down a chunky 0.68%.

That leaves the ASX 200 at 8,748.7 points.

This lacklustre session on the ASX comes after a mixed night up on Wall Street.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) was in an accommodating mood, rising 0.35%.

However, the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) wasn't so lucky, dropping 0.43%.

But let's return to the local markets now and dig down into what was happening with the various ASX sectors over today's trading.

The post Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

This awful Thursday for the local markets follows a much rosier night over on Wall Street.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) fared decently, rising 0.36%.

The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) was a little more tentative, inching up just 0.07%.

But let's get back to the unhappier market now and take a closer look at what was happening amongst the various ASX sectors today.

Winners and losers

The post Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

That is not too surprising. The ASX 200 share is down almost 25% from its high, and the market has become much more selective with growth stocks.

But I think Block could be a comeback candidate worth watching.

This is still a business with major positions across payments, small business tools, consumer finance, buy now pay later, and digital banking. I do not think the long-term opportunity has disappeared.

Two ecosystems with a lot of reach

The reason I like Block is that it touches both sides of commerce.

Square helps sellers accept payments, manage point-of-sale systems, access software, and run more parts of their businesses.

Cash App serves consumers, with payments, banking-style services, peer-to-peer transfers, and other financial tools.

That gives Block a large opportunity if it can keep connecting those ecosystems over time.

I like this because small businesses and consumers both want simpler financial tools. Sellers want to save time, reduce admin, and get paid. Consumers want fast, useful, easy-to-use money products.

Block is trying to sit in the middle of that activity.

AI could make the products more useful

The part of Block's latest update that stood out to me was its focus on practical artificial intelligence (AI).

Moneybot is now live across Cash App, while Managerbot is being scaled across Square sellers. These tools are designed to help customers and sellers take action, not just receive information.

That is the kind of AI use case I find interesting.

If AI can help a seller spot a problem, improve a workflow, understand patterns, or act before an issue grows, it could make Square more valuable.

If Cash App can use AI to help customers make better financial decisions, that could deepen engagement.

This is still early. Investors should not assume every AI product will become a major profit driver. But Block has a large customer base, and even modest improvements in engagement or efficiency could add up.

A stronger business than the market may remember

I also think Block is a more focused business than it used to be.

The company has been working to improve profitability while still growing. Its latest quarterly update pointed to strong gross profit growth, improving operating income, and rising engagement across key areas of Cash App and Square.

The main point is that Block is not just relying on hype. It is trying to grow while becoming more disciplined.

That combination can be powerful if management keeps executing successfully.

Foolish takeaway

Payments and fintech are competitive, consumer behaviour can shift, and investor sentiment towards growth stocks can change quickly.

But I think the market may be underappreciating the size of the opportunity. Block has two large ecosystems, a clearer focus on profitability, and emerging AI tools that could make its products more useful.

After a share price fall of almost 25% from its high, I think this forgotten ASX 200 share could be worth another look.

The post Down 25%: Could this forgotten ASX 200 share make a comeback? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

This sees shares in the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) buy now, pay later (BNPL) company, which acquired Afterpay in January 2022, up 11.42% over 12 months.

That's more than four times the 2.6% one-year gains delivered by the ASX 200.

And according to Andrew Dale, a partner and portfolio manager at ECP Asset Management, the BNPL giant still looks to be trading for a bargain (courtesy of The Australian Financial Review).

Should you buy Block shares today?

Asked which stock his fund holds that he believes is the most undervalued by the market, Dale pointed to Block shares.

According to Dale:

We believe Block – a financial technology company which owns Afterpay – is underappreciated and is a top position in the fund. In its most recent update, it demonstrated progress on its operational efficiency initiatives.

And unlike many tech focused company's, Dale said that artificial intelligence systems are supporting the stock's performance.

"The sustained focus on cost discipline and the deployment of AI-enhanced productivity tools supported margin expansion across both the Cash App and Square business units," he noted.

Summarising his bullish outlook on Block shares, Dale concluded:

With the company executing towards its upgraded guidance and maintaining steady growth in gross sales, its medium-term earnings trajectory and improving product launch velocity paints a bullish picture.

What's the latest from the ASX 200 BNPL stock?

Block reported its first-quarter (Q1 2026) results on 8 May.

Highlights include net quarterly revenue of US$6.06 billion, with the company achieving a gross profit of US$2.91 billion, up 27% from Q1 2025.

However, impacted by US$852 million in restructuring and legal costs, Block reported a Q1 operating loss of US$172 million.

Following the strong first-quarter performance, the company increased its full calendar year 2026 gross profit guidance to US$12.33 billion, up 19% from 2015. Block expects to achieve a full-year adjusted operating income margin of 27%.

As for the AI-enhanced productivity tools that Dale mentioned above, Block CEO Jack Dorsey said, "We continued to deliver strong financial performance in the first quarter as AI became more central to how Block operates and what we build for customers."

Dorsey noted:

Our roadmap is differentiated because it connects AI directly to the financial decisions customers and sellers already make every day. Internally, AI is helping us move faster and improve quality. Externally, it is helping us build products that act earlier for customers and sellers.

Block shares closed up 4.8% on the day of the results release.

The post Why Afterpay owner Block shares are looking undervalued appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

In some cases, I think the sell-off has gone too far.

The two shares in this article are down almost 30% and almost 70% from their highs. Those are significant declines, and they show just how much sentiment has shifted.

But I do not think the long-term growth stories have disappeared.

For patient investors, this kind of share price weakness can create the chance to buy high-quality technology businesses at far more attractive prices than before.

Block Inc (ASX: XYZ)

Block is a much broader business than many investors may realise.

This ASX tech stock owns Cash App, Square, Afterpay, and a number of financial tools that connect consumers, sellers, payments, lending, and commerce.

I like Block because it sits on both sides of the transaction.

Cash App gives it a large consumer finance platform. Square gives it relationships with sellers. Afterpay gives it exposure to buy now, pay later and consumer lending. Put together, Block has the chance to build a more connected financial ecosystem than a traditional payments company.

The company is also leaning heavily into artificial intelligence (AI).

Block is using AI internally to improve engineering speed and product development, while also adding smarter tools into Cash App and Square. Its Moneybot and Managerbot products are designed to help customers and sellers identify useful actions, such as managing spending, spotting business cost changes, or improving financial habits.

That is where I think the long-term opportunity becomes interesting.

Block is not just trying to process payments. It is trying to make its platforms more useful, proactive, and embedded in daily financial decisions.

There are risks, of course. Lending growth needs to be managed carefully, competition is intense, and regulation is always worth watching in financial services.

But if Block keeps improving Cash App, Square, Afterpay, and its AI tools, I think the company could be far more valuable in the future.

The Block share price is down almost 30% from its high.

WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC)

WiseTech is another beaten-down ASX tech stock I would be happy to buy for the long term.

The company is building software for one of the most complicated parts of the global economy: trade and logistics.

That may not sound as exciting as consumer apps or artificial intelligence, but global trade is filled with complexity. Goods need to move across countries, ports, warehouses, customs systems, transport networks, and compliance regimes.

That complexity creates demand for specialist software.

WiseTech's CargoWise platform already plays a key role for freight forwarders and logistics companies. The company serves more than 22,000 logistics companies and industry participants across 193 countries, including many of the world's largest freight forwarders and third-party logistics providers.

I think that gives WiseTech a powerful starting point.

The company is also expanding beyond logistics through areas such as trade, supply chain, customs, trade finance, and verified identity and data. That could turn WiseTech into a much broader operating system for global trade.

AI could make that opportunity larger. Logistics involves a lot of manual data entry, document checking, compliance work, and exception management. If WiseTech can use AI to automate more of those tasks, its software could become even more valuable to customers.

The stock is not without risk. WiseTech has faced questions around valuation, acquisitions, leadership, and execution. But the market it serves is enormous, and its software is deeply tied to customer workflows.

The WiseTech share price is down almost 70% from its high.

Foolish Takeaway

Block and WiseTech face different questions, but both still have market positions that could become more valuable over time. 

One is building deeper financial relationships with consumers and sellers. The other is becoming more embedded in the systems that keep global trade moving.

Share price weakness does not remove the risks. But when quality tech businesses fall this far, I think long-term investors should at least be asking whether the market has become too pessimistic.

The post Why these ASX tech stocks could be no-brainer buys appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

This tough bookend to the week's trading for ASX investors follows a sobering session on the American markets overnight.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) couldn't keep its early rise and closed down 0.63%.

Things were a little tamer on the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC), though, which fell 0.13%.

But let's get back to the local markets now to take a look at what was happening amongst the various ASX sectors this Friday.

Winners and losers

The post Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Four ASX shares that are not letting that hold them back are listed below. Here's why they are rising:

Block Inc. (ASX: XYZ)

The Block share price is up 5% to $103.33. Investors have been buying the payments company's shares following the release of its quarterly update. Block delivered gross profit of US$2.91 billion for the first quarter of 2026. This was up 27% year on year. This was driven by strong growth across Cash App and Square. It revealed that Cash App gross profit was up 38% to US$1.91 billion and Square gross profit up 9% to US$982 million. Block's CEO, Jack Dorsey, said: "We continued to deliver strong financial performance in the first quarter as AI became more central to how Block operates and what we build for customers."

News Corporation (ASX: NWS)

The News Corporation share price is up almost 4% to $43.70. This morning, the media giant released its third-quarter update and reported a 9% jump in third quarter revenue to US$2.19 billion. Growing at a stronger rate was its net income from continuing operations, which increased 13% to US$121 million. Management advised that News Corp's Digital Real Estate Services and Dow Jones segments helped drive its strong result. They both reported double-digit growth for the quarter.

REA Group Ltd (ASX: REA)

The REA Group share price is up 2% to $178.33. This has been driven by the release of the property listings company's third-quarter update. REA Group posted an 11% increase in revenue to $398 million and a 16% jump in EBITDA to $220 million. REA Group's CEO, Cameron McIntyre, said: "REA Group's third quarter performance reflects our focus on enhancing our immersive consumer experiences, and increasing the value delivered to customers. The result was underpinned by double digit revenue growth across our Australian businesses and strong double-digit yield growth in our core residential business."

TechnologyOne Ltd (ASX: TNE)

The TechnologyOne share price is up 3% to $28.26. This appears to have been driven by a broker note out of Bell Potter. This morning, the broker upgraded the enterprise software provider's shares to a buy rating with an improved price target of $31.75. Bell Potter said: "Technology One announced a new contract with James Cook University (JCU) last month which in our view is significant from a product perspective. […] On the back of this contract win and clear demonstration of "the power of Plus" we have modestly increased our ARR forecasts in each period."

The post Why Block, News Corp, REA Group, and TechnologyOne shares are storming higher today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Two of the blue-chip ASX shares are outpacing the 1.6% losses posted by the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) as we head into the Friday lunch hour, while one is trailing that performance.

Here's what's happening.

Macquarie shares slide following Thursday's record close

After notching a new all-time closing high yesterday, Macquarie shares are down 2.2% at the time of writing, trading for $236.45 apiece.

Investors are pressuring the ASX 200 diversified financial stock despite the company reporting some strong full-year FY 2026 results.

For the 12 months to 31 March, Macquarie achieved growth across all of its operating groups.

This saw the company post a 30% year-on-year increase in net profit after tax (NPAT) to $4.85 billion. The second half of the financial year was particularly strong, with Macquarie reporting H2 NPAT of $3.19 billion, up 93% from the first half.

On the passive income front, management declared a final partly franked dividend of $4.20 per share, up 7.7% from last year's final dividend.

Commenting on the results that have yet to boost Macquarie shares today, CEO Shemara Wikramanayake said:

Each of our businesses used its specialist expertise in navigating the current environment, identifying opportunities that support long-term growth and delivering positive outcomes for our clients and communities

Block shares charge higher on rising profits

Also grabbing headlines and bucking the broader market sell-down today, Block shares are up 5.1% at the time of writing, changing hands for $103.38 each.

Investors are bidding up the ASX 200 buy now, pay later (BNPL) company, which acquired Afterpay in 2022, following the release of its first-quarter update (Q1 2026).

Highlights for the first quarter included a 5% year-on-year increase in net revenue to US$6.06 billion. And Block's adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) hit a record US$1.01 billion for the quarter.

On the bottom line, Block's gross profit was up 27% from Q1 2025 to US$2.91 billion.

"We continued to deliver strong financial performance in the first quarter as AI became more central to how Block operates and what we build for customers," Block CEO Jack Dorsey said.

Which brings us to…

QBE shares slip on Q1 update

Joining Block and Macquarie shares in turning heads today, QBE also released its first-quarter update this morning.

Shares in the ASX 200 insurance giant are modestly outpacing the losses on the benchmark index today, down 1.4% at $22.33 apiece.

Highlights for the quarter include an 11% year-on-year increase in QBE's gross written premium (GWP), or 7% on a constant currency basis.

The insurer reported total funds under management of $36.1 billion at the end of the quarter.

And with interest rates on the rise, QBE's core fixed income yield increased to 4.1% over Q1. That's up from an average of 3.7% achieved in FY 2025.

The post Why QBE, Block and Macquarie shares are grabbing headlines on Friday appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

At the time of writing, the Cash App and Square owner's shares are up over 6% to $104.87.

What is lifting Block shares today?

Investors have been fighting to get hold of the payments company's shares following the release of a strong quarterly result.

According to the release, Block delivered gross profit of US$2.91 billion for the first quarter of 2026. This was up 27% year on year.

This was driven by strong growth across Cash App and Square, with Cash App gross profit up 38% to US$1.91 billion and Square gross profit up 9% to US$982 million.

Growing at a strong rate was its reported adjusted operating income. It came in at US$728 million for the quarter, representing a margin of 25%. This was a record result for the company and up 56% on the prior corresponding period.

Adjusted EBITDA also reached a record US$1.01 billion, while adjusted diluted earnings per share increased 52% year on year to US$0.85.

Cash App continues to grow

Cash App was a major driver of the result.

Its gross profit increased 38% year on year, supported by strong growth in Cash App Borrow, Afterpay buy now pay later products, and Cash App Card.

Cash App consumer lending origination volume surged 82% year on year to US$17.6 billion, while Primary Banking Actives increased 18% to 9.7 million in March.

Square momentum improves

The Square business also delivered an improved performance.

Square gross payment volume (GPV) increased 13% year on year to US$61.2 billion, with international GPV up 35%.

Management said growth was supported by strong new seller acquisition, field sales investments, and momentum among larger merchants.

Outlook

Commenting on the quarter and its outlook, Block's CEO, Jack Dorsey, said:

We continued to deliver strong financial performance in the first quarter as AI became more central to how Block operates and what we build for customers. We exceeded our guidance across gross profit, Adjusted Operating Income, and Adjusted EPS. We are raising our full year outlook and now expect gross profit growth of 19% in 2026, along with margin expansion and Adjusted Diluted EPS growth of 62%.

Speaking about the use of AI at Block, Dorsey adds:

Our roadmap is differentiated because it connects AI directly to the financial decisions customers and sellers already make every day. Internally, AI is helping us move faster and improve quality. Externally, it is helping us build products that act earlier for customers and sellers. We are building tools that absorb complexity for people rather than just helping them manage it. That is the shift we believe few companies are ready to deliver. We are.

The post Afterpay and Square owner Block shares jump 6% on strong results appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.