SYDNEY — WiseTech Global Ltd shares climbed 4.66% to close at $38.89 on Tuesday, adding $1.73 amid renewed investor enthusiasm for the Australian logistics software provider’s aggressive push into artificial intelligence and steady progress integrating its major e2open acquisition.
WiseTech Global Stock Jumps 2026: Logistics Software Giant Rises 4.66% to $38.89 on AI Transformation
The move came on solid trading volume as the company, known for its flagship CargoWise platform, continues to navigate a transformative period marked by workforce restructuring, strong half-year results and reaffirmed full-year guidance. With a market capitalization hovering near A$12.5 billion to A$13 billion, WiseTech remains one of Australia’s most prominent technology success stories in the supply chain sector.
WiseTech Global, headquartered in Sydney, develops cloud-based software that powers international freight forwarding, customs compliance, logistics execution and trade management. Its CargoWise suite serves thousands of customers worldwide, handling complex global supply chains with integrated tools for visibility, automation and compliance. The August 2025 acquisition of U.S.-based e2open significantly expanded its footprint, adding scale in transportation management systems and broadening its addressable market across shippers, carriers and manufacturers.
In its first-half FY2026 results released February 25, the company reported total revenue of US$672 million, a 76% increase from the prior corresponding period. The jump was largely driven by the inclusion of e2open, though organic growth stood at 7%. Core CargoWise revenue rose 12% to US$372.4 million, with 9% organic expansion. Recurring revenue within CargoWise remained exceptionally high at 99%, underscoring the platform’s sticky, subscription-like model.
EBITDA climbed 31% to US$252.1 million, delivering a reported margin of 38%. On an organic basis excluding e2open, the EBITDA margin held steady near 51%, reflecting operational efficiency in the legacy business. Underlying net profit after tax increased 2% to US$114.5 million, while free cash flow rose 24% to US$153.6 million. The board declared an interim dividend of US$0.068 per share, up 1% on the previous period and representing a 20% payout ratio of underlying NPAT.
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Management reaffirmed full-year FY2026 guidance, targeting total revenue between US$1.39 billion and US$1.44 billion — implying 79% to 85% growth — and EBITDA of US$550 million to US$585 million. CargoWise revenue growth is expected in the 14% to 21% range. Guidance incorporates one-off integration and restructuring costs but excludes any material net impact from the AI-driven job reductions announced alongside the results.
The most attention-grabbing element of the February update was WiseTech’s accelerated AI transformation. The company plans to cut up to 2,000 positions — roughly one-third of its global workforce — over FY2026 and FY2027, with initial reductions of up to 50% in product development and customer service teams. CEO Zubin Appoo and executives framed the move as a strategic pivot to embed AI deeply into the platform, creating agentic workflows, enhancing automation and strengthening the company’s data and integration moat.
An Australian union sought urgent talks following the announcement, highlighting broader concerns about AI-driven job displacement in the technology sector. WiseTech has emphasized that the restructuring aims to reposition resources toward higher-value innovation while delivering long-term efficiency gains. Analysts noted that the cost savings, combined with new commercial models such as CargoWise Value Packs, could support margin expansion and price uplifts in the second half.
The e2open integration has progressed ahead of plan in several areas, contributing meaningfully to first-half revenue. e2open, recognized as a leader in Gartner’s Magic Quadrant for Transportation Management Systems for the fourth consecutive year, adds complementary capabilities in cloud-based trade and supply chain execution. WiseTech expects the deal to be earnings-accretive in its first full year, funded through debt rather than equity issuance.
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Additional strategic moves have bolstered the company’s position. In January 2026, WiseTech acquired the Centre for Customs and Excise Studies to enhance global customs education and compliance training. It also completed smaller tuck-in acquisitions and signed memoranda of understanding, including one with Saudi Arabia’s Elm Company to explore technology applications for logistics efficiency.
Recent share price action reflects a volatile but resilient trajectory. After a challenging start to 2026 that saw the stock trade as low as $35.54, Tuesday’s 4.66% gain builds on intermittent rallies tied to AI optimism and results reaffirmation. The 52-week range has been wide, stretching from that recent low to highs above $120 in prior periods, illustrating the stock’s sensitivity to guidance, acquisition news and broader technology sector sentiment.
Analysts remain generally constructive. Some brokers highlight WiseTech’s data moat, ecosystem integrations and potential for AI to drive deeper customer stickiness and new revenue streams. UBS, for instance, maintained a Buy rating post-results, citing positive indicators around large freight forwarder rollouts and the shift to value-based pricing. Consensus price targets have varied, with some projecting significant upside if execution on AI and integration remains smooth.
Challenges persist. Integration of e2open involves managing a larger, more diverse cost base, including higher proportions of professional services revenue. Non-CargoWise revenue streams from earlier acquisitions continue to decline as expected. Broader macroeconomic pressures on global trade volumes, currency fluctuations and potential delays in large customer implementations could affect growth.
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Yet the underlying business fundamentals appear solid. CargoWise continues to win new customers and expand with existing ones, with 1,060 product enhancements delivered in the first half alone. High gross margins near 79% to 84% in the core platform support investment in research and development.
For investors, the AI narrative has become central. While job cuts raise short-term human and reputational considerations, many view them as necessary for WiseTech to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving logistics technology landscape where automation and predictive capabilities are increasingly table stakes.
Tuesday’s trading likely reflects a combination of bargain hunting after recent softness, positive rotation back into technology names and confidence that reaffirmed guidance provides visibility through the remainder of FY2026. Full-year results are scheduled for late August, with the annual general meeting in November.
WiseTech’s journey illustrates the opportunities and disruptions facing software companies in the age of AI. From its roots as a founder-led Australian business to a global player with thousands of employees and billions in revenue potential, the company is betting that bold transformation today will secure leadership in supply chain technology tomorrow.
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As global trade grows more complex amid geopolitical shifts, sustainability demands and e-commerce expansion, platforms like CargoWise and the expanded e2open suite position WiseTech at the center of digital logistics. Whether the current share price momentum sustains will hinge on tangible proof of AI-driven efficiencies, margin improvement and accelerated organic growth in coming quarters.
For now, the 4.66% daily lift signals market willingness to reward a company embracing change at scale in one of the world’s most critical industries.
I focus on a rigorous fundamentals-foremost equity and credit research. I currently work as a financial advisor/planner, and do analysis in my free time. I have an undergrad in business administration, an MBA in finance, and currently am a doctoral candidate (a DBA with a concentration in Finance and Investment Management). My research style typically involves process-driven research, followed by blending several valuation models together to get a blended, 12 month price target. I enjoy utilizing full DCF analysis in conjunction with SOTP, peer/multiples analysis, and risk-adjusted approaches. I thoroughly enjoy reading filings, technical documentation relevant to the sector, and then translating that data into conclusions with actionable insights. I enjoy learning about the various sectors and companies I find myself researching, and always feel like there is something to learn. As a curious individual, equity and credit research is very fulfilling, and even fun!I always try to find 2-4 variables that drive value or hinder growth, stress test them, and then let fundamental evidence incorporated with book-value set my viewpoint for the research project. I enjoy the energy sector, commodities, tech, and financial sectors the most. I joined Seeking Alpha to share my thoughts with a wide audience. I originally started with sharing my analysis with a few of my friends who are also advisors and/or analysts. I am always open to a myriad of viewpoints, as I feel the most accurate viewpoints and research is made through a collection of great minds working together to figure something out. If you appreciate thorough research, and want to learn more about a company beyond just what is inside of their books, then I believe you will enjoy the research that I work on.
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Shares of IT companies may surge when markets reopen on Wednesday, as their American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) rallied overnight amid overall optimism on Wall Street, driven by easing concerns about AI disruption and hopes surrounding fresh Iran-US peace talks.
Infosys ADR jumped more than 5%, while Wipro ADR gained more than 3%. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite index gained more than 1% on Monday. Adobe shares jumped more than 6%, while Salesforce rallied 5%. Accenture rallied nearly 7%, while Microsoft gained 4%.
The S&P 500 erased all the losses it racked up since the war started in the Middle East. The blue chip index gained over 1% to end at 6,886, higher than its February 27 closing level. Dow Jones Industrial Average, meanwhile, rose 0.63%.
Goldman Sachs CEO on AI
Goldman Sachs released its Q1 earnings on Monday. The company reported a net revenue of $17.23 billion in the January-March quarter, recording a 14% year-on-year growth compared to $15.06 billion in the year-ago period. The net revenue shot up 28% sequentially versus $13.45 billion in Q4CY25.
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Commenting on the company’s results, David Solomon, Chairman and CEO of Goldman Sachs, said, “Goldman Sachs delivered very strong performance for our shareholders this quarter, even as market conditions became more volatile. Our clients continue to depend on us for high-quality execution and insights amid the broader uncertainty, and we remain confident in how we’ve positioned our businesses. The geopolitical landscape remains very complex – so disciplined risk management must remain core to how we operate.” During an analyst’s call, Solomon said he is hugely forward-leaning on the power of artificial intelligence to accelerate growth at the bank. “Whenever you have accelerations in new technology, there are going to be bumps, there will be risk issues and recalibrations. But the power of this technology to use it in enterprise to increase efficiency is incredibly constructive,” he added. Entrepreneur and financial expert Gurmeet Chaddha highlighted that Solomon claimed that AI taking over enterprise software is not easy. Notably, this comes after tech stocks saw a massive decline earlier this year with the launch of new and innovative artificial intelligence tools by AI startup Anthropic, which triggered worries around disruption in the software services. Back on Dalal Street, India’s much-touted IT services stocks, including Infosys, Wipro, TCS and HCLTech, saw a sharp selloff. However, while some doomsday prophets painted a grim picture for IT shareholders, some analysts were quick to point out that an overall replacement of software engineers by AI is unlikely. The new technology would instead increase efficiency across the companies, boosting margins, according to them.
Fresh hopes for Iran-US war peace talks
Reports claimed that the US continued to engage with Iran to make a peace deal even as it blocked the latter’s ports after the collapse of ceasefire talks over the weekend. Iran and the US have left the door open to dialogue, and a US official said there was forward momentum toward an agreement, Reuters reported, citing people familiar with the matter. US President Donald Trump, meanwhile, said that his administration received a call from Iran who is now eager to negotiate after the US imposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports.
Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said that “they’d like to make a deal very badly.” He reiterated that the primary sticking point in the negotiations remains Iran’s nuclear ambitions, asserting that “Iran will not have a nuclear weapon”.
As a result, Brent crude futures declined nearly 2% to trade at $97.5 per barrel, while WTI Crude futures dropped more than 2% to $97 per barrel on Tuesday morning. The cooling oil prices and rising hopes for peace talks boosted global markets.
The raging war has stoked inflationary worries in the US. Peace talks hopes eased some of those concerns, which in turn may boost the IT stocks as these companies derive a major portion of their revenue from the US economy.
(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times)
The kitchenware brand says it has outperformed the market
One of kitchenware brand ProCook’s portfolio of stores (Image: Derby Telegraph)
Kitchenware brand Procook has reported a strong fourth quarter as it continues to invest in new branch openings around the UK. The Gloucestershire-headquartered retailer saw a 19.2 per cent rise in revenue to £18.5m for the 12 weeks to the end of March, driven by sales online and in store.
The results mean the company posted full-year revenue of £85.5m, ahead of market expectations, and up 23 per cent year on year and 11.8 per cent on a like-for-like basis. EBITDA – a measure of performance – is estimated to be slightly ahead of expectations for the full year.
Procook told investors on Tuesday (April 14) it had “outperformed” the UK kitchenware market by more than 13 percentage points during quarter four, and by more than 20 per cent across the full year. It also said operating profit was set to be in line with expectations.
The brand opened three new stores in the fourth quarter, increasing its total UK retail estate to 78 branches, of which eight are now in a new bigger format. Last year, the company, which sells cookware, tableware, electricals and kitchen gadgets, spent £5.3m on store openings as it looks to target 100 outlets in the UK.
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Lee Tappenden, chief executive of Procook, said: “We have delivered a strong fourth quarter and full year performance, significantly outperforming the market and improving profitability, whilst accelerating investment in our new store opening programme.
“Strong revenue growth across both our expanding store footprint and online reflects substantial increases in new customers attracted to our brand and repeat purchases, demonstrating that our unique product proposition and service focus is really resonating with consumers.”
Mr Tappenden said while the business was “mindful” of the potential macroeconomic effects of any protracted geopolitical instability, it would “look forward” to building its market share.
“Our ongoing store openings, initiatives to increase brand awareness, and disciplined investments to support growth, position us well to deliver on our medium term ambition of 100 stores, £100m revenue and 10 per cent operating profit margin,” he added.
The Bristol-headquartered maker of Golden Virgina is continuing to focus on tobacco-free products
Imperial Brands’ global HQ is in Bristol(Image: BAM Construction)
Tobacco giant Imperial Brands has reiterated its guidance for the full year amid a “more uncertain” geopolitical and macro environment. The announcement on Tuesday comes as the business looks to focus on tobacco-free products as smoking rates continue to decline.
The Golden Virginia maker said its “robust” pricing and continued investment in next-generation products (NGP) means it expects low-single-digit growth in tobacco and NGP net revenue for the first half. Imperial said its tobacco performance was underpinned by pricing and only a modest volume drop in combustibles.
Group adjusted operating profit is expected to be slightly ahead year-on-year for the first half, and is likely to be stronger in H2, the business added.
Imperial also said that while the conflict in the Middle East had caused “no material business impact to date”, the situation remained “uncertain”.
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“We are pleased to report a good start to our 2030 strategy, with strong momentum behind our execution and our transformation towards becoming a more consumer-centric, data led, agile and efficient challenger,” a statement to the stock market said.
“During the first half, we began the implementation of our new long-term partnership with Capgemini and took further action to focus on our supply chain footprint, while continuing the rollout of our enterprise IT applications.”
Imperial Brands’ interim results for the six months ended March 2026 will be announced on May 12.
Derren Nathan, head of equity research at investment platform Hargreaves Lansdown, said: “Imperial Brands’ tobacco volumes declined again in the first half, but that’s to be expected as more smokers kick the habit and non-combustible alternatives continue their expansion.
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“Low single-digit reductions are on the manageable side. In the meantime, revenue has grown modestly, supported by robust pricing and a mid-to-high digit percentage rise in sales of next generation products. With full-year guidance intact, Imperial is setting out its stall as a strong defensive investment, and despite a note of caution, it has seen no material business impact from this year’s tumultuous geopolitical events.”
The latest trading update comes just a day after the company confirmed it would launch the second tranche of its ongoing share buyback scheme. The business told investors on Monday that it intends to repurchase stocks worth £725m as part of a wider £1.45bn programme announced last year.
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