What happened to ASX tech shares today?

It was a tough day for the technology sector. Here are the details…

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 disappointed female investor sits in front of her laptop and puts her hand to her forehead and closes her eyes in disappointment over share price falls

Image source: Getty Images

Key points

  • The S&P/ASX All Technology Index (ASX: XTX) dropped 2.86% today
  • Brainchip, Appen, Block, Altium, Megaport, Technology One and NextDC all plummeted
  • US Nasdaq technology shares fell in morning trade yesterday before staging a major recovery.

ASX technology shares slumped overall today, failing to replicate the recovery of Nasdaq US tech stocks overnight.

The S&P/ASX All Technology Index (ASX: XTX) dived 2.86% to close at 2,522 points.

Let's take a look at the performance of some key ASX tech shares today.

How did ASX tech shares perform?

ASX tech shares nosedived today. The Appen Ltd (ASX: APX) share price descended 7.37% while Brainchip Holdings Ltd (ASX: BRN) shares plummeted a massive 13.60% despite no news from the company.

Meanwhile, the Block Inc CDI (ASX: SQ2) share price dropped 4.21% today and Altium Limited (ASX: ALU) shares fell 1.78%

Xero Limited (ASX: XRO) slipped 3.49%, Computershare Limited (ASX: CPU) stumbled 2.64%, and NextDC Ltd (ASX: NXT) sunk 2.15%.

Additionally, TechnologyOne Ltd (ASX: TNE) descended 2.34%, Megaport Ltd (ASX: MP1) tumbled 1.99%, and Wisetech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC) plunged 6.59%.

What happened in the US?

ASX tech shares often follow the movement of the tech-heavy Nasdaq Index, as my Foolish colleague Brooke noted yesterday.

But while the US Nasdaq may have staged a tech sell-off in morning trade yesterday, afternoon trade saw investors buying up. The dramatic turnaround came after the US Treasury auctioned two-year notes, VOA News reported.

The Nasdaq-100 Technology Sector (NASDAQ: NDXT) finished 1.65% in the green. However, between market close on 21 January in the United States and 12.30pm yesterday, the index fell 4.71%. It then staged a massive recovery of 6.76% in afternoon trade.

Amazon.com Inc (NASDAQ: AMZN) gained 1.33% after falling 4.46% between market close on 21 January and 12.30pm.

Meanwhile Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ: MSFT) also climbed 0.11% overall after falling 5.37% in the same time frame. Apple Inc (NASDAQ: AAPL) finished just 0.49% in the red after falling 4.18% up to 12.30pm.

While ASX tech shares stabilised this afternoon, most did not stage the comeback of their US counterparts.

However, Megaport certainly showed some recovery. Despite falling 4.4% on the previous close to a low of $14.43 at 12.19pm, it regained 2.56% of this loss in afternoon trade to finish at $14.80.

Teresa Kersten, an employee of LinkedIn, a Microsoft subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. John Mackey, CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns and has recommended Altium, Appen Ltd, Block, Inc., MEGAPORT FPO, Microsoft, WiseTech Global, and Xero. The Motley Fool Australia owns and has recommended Appen Ltd, WiseTech Global, and Xero. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Amazon, Apple, and MEGAPORT FPO. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson.

More on Technology Shares

a man wearing spectacles has a satisfied look on his face as he appears within a graphic image of graphs, computer code and technology related symbols while he concentrates on a computer screen
Technology Shares

Top ASX 200 tech shares to buy right now: Morgans

It’s time to jump on some leading players in the tech sector, according to one broker.

Read more »

A young woman sits on her lounge looking pleasantly surprised at what she's seeing on her laptop screen as she reads about the South32 share price
Technology Shares

These ASX tech shares are buys: Goldman Sachs

Goldman Sachs speaks very highly about these tech shares.

Read more »

A young woman holds an open book over her head with a round mouthed expression as if to say oops as she looks at her computer screen in a home office setting with a plant on the desk and shelves of books in the background.
Technology Shares

Xero share price dips 3% amid Silicon Valley Bank fallout

Xero has been caught up in the Silicon Valley Bank collapse.

Read more »

A worried man holds his head in his hands
Technology Shares

These ASX tech shares have exposure to the Silicon Valley Bank collapse

The second-largest banking collapse in US history occurred last week.

Read more »

asx share price resignation represented by man kicking miniature man through the air
Technology Shares

Novonix shares will soon be booted out of the ASX 200. What might this mean for investors?

ASX 200 share Novonix will soon be just an All Ords share.

Read more »

Technology Shares

Is the new leaner, meaner Xero stock a buy right now?

Is this tech stock a buy after announcing major cost reductions?

Read more »

A young woman with her mouth open and her hands out showing surprise and delight as uranium share prices skyrocket
Technology Shares

Why is the Xero share price racing 11% higher today?

Investors have been fighting to get hold of Xero's shares on Thursday.

Read more »

A woman wearing yellow smiles and drinks coffee while on laptop.
Technology Shares

The ASX 200 tech shares I'd be thrilled to buy at a 20% discount

I’d love to go shopping for these tech names if they heavily dipped.

Read more »